The TecEco Tec-Kiln
The Tec-Kiln is a top secret kiln we have designed for low temperature (<750ºC) calcination of alkali metal carbonates and the pyro processing and simultaneous grinding of other minerals such as clays.
The technology is important because with it hydraulic cements including TecEco's own binders can be made without releases and with much less energy and therefore at lower cost. The first prototype of the kiln will be built when we have raised sufficient funds and we are looking for industry support..
At first the kiln will be used in the Gaia Engineering process which contemplates reversal of damaging molecular flows on the planet using a number of complimentary technologies. Calcium and magnesium carbonates will be used to create man made carbonate binders and aggregates for building and construction. The carbonates will come from either the Greensols, Calera or some other front end process mostly from sea water, brines or bitterns and will be used to produce reactive magnesia[1] for use in TecEco Cements and later lime for making Portland cement without releases.
The Tec-Kiln is a critical step technology for converting concrete from being a greenhouse culprit to savior as M K Singh from India expressed a wish about at the recent Cement Industry National Conference in Melbourne, Australia [2]. Concrete made without releases has huge market potential because practitioners be they architects or engineers want it. The results of the survey in the February 2009 issue of Concrete International showed that 77% of members of the ACI surveyed thought that sustainable design and construction will become increasingly important[3]. The technology will be economically important because it will allow the much cheaper production of a much wider range of cement products all of which will attract carbon credits.
To reverse the environmentally damaging impact of molecular flows from techno-processes such as too much CO2 in the air, the TecEco Tec-Kiln will use non fossil fuel energy such as solar or solar derived energy (e.g. wind or wave energy) which is also characterised by being intermittent. It will operate in a closed system whereby the waste energy from grinding is captured and there are no releases to the atmosphere.
In the simplistic representation of the magnesium thermodynamic cycle shown below the TecEco kiln provides de carbonation of MgCO3.
Thermodynamic cycles
The Tec-Kiln is also distinguished from existing kilns in that it grinds and calcines simultaneously making use of the heat generated by grinding to reduce the energy required for calcination[4] and therefore the costs.
The TecEco Tec-Kiln is unfortunately somewhat secret due to patent matters. It is however an essential part of TecEco's grand plan to sequester massive amounts of CO2 as man made carbonate in the built environment.
Summary
The Tec-Kiln has the following features:
- Can be powered by various non fossil sources of energy such as intermittent solar or wind energy.
- Grinds and calcines at the same time thereby running 25% to 30% more efficiently.
- Operates in a closed system and therefore does not release CO2 or other volatiles substances to the atmosphere
- Can generate electricity
- The CO2 produced can be re-used for the production of man made carbonate in the Gaia Engineering process.
- Products such as CaO and/or MgO can be used in carbonating binders to sequester more CO2 as they become carbonates and are themselves recyclable.
- Products such as meta kaolin can be used to make geopolymers.
- Product made with the Tec-Kiln will be eligible for offsets
Availability
The kiln technology is being developed as funding permits.
If you are interested in our Tec-Kiln technology please contact TecEco.