Flagship Projects

2024 Funded Project

Building Future Net-Zero Cities with Zero-Emissions Portland Cement

Jan 2024 – Dec 2026

The team:

• Prof Mohamed BS Saafi, Lancaster University
• Prof Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua, Sunway University
• Dr Dr Gupta Gaurav, Lancaster University
• Dr Farihahusnah Hussin, Sunway University

The overall goal of this project is to develop the world’s first renewable-powered zero-emissions electrochemical manufacturing process for Portland cements to decarbonize the construction of future cities. The key objectives are: (1) use Multiphysics simulations to design and optimize a scalable electrochemical process capable of reducing limestone (Ca(OH2) and producing hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2) without emitting CO2, (2) use Multiphysics-based results to build and test the electrochemical process performance, and (3) produce cement physically and chemically similar to conventional cements.

The methodology involves (1) using Multiphysics to simulate the electrochemical Ca(OH2) process performance under different operation parameters and assist in electrochemical cell design, (2) guided by simulations, building electrochemical cells and investigating their capability to produce Ca(OH)2, H2, and O2 at low temperature, and (3) using the produced Ca(OH)2 to manufacture Portland Cement Clinker (PCC) samples, comparing their properties with commercial cements.

Currently, cement production contributes about 8% of global CO2 emissions, and demand is expected to skyrocket, resulting in significant CO2 emissions. This research provides a paradigm shift toward manufacturing cements without emitting CO2 or using fossil fuels, removing 1kg of CO2 per 1kg of cement, opening new opportunities for achieving net-zero cities with a robust green economy.