Hydraulic cements comprising carbonate compound compositions

Abstract

Hydraulic cement compositions that include a carbonate compound composition, e.g., a salt-water derived carbonate compound composition containing crystalline and/or amorphous carbonate compounds, are provided. Also provided are methods of making and using the hydraulic cements, as well as settable compositions, such as concretes and mortars, prepared therefrom. The cements and compositions produced therefrom find use in a variety of applications, including use in a variety of building materials and building applications.

1 . A method comprising:
 contacting an alkaline-earth-metal-containing water with an industrial waste stream CO 2  source, wherein said alkaline-earth-metal-containing water comprises strontium;   subjecting said alkaline-earth-metal-containing water to carbonate compound precipitation conditions sufficient to produce a precipitated metastable carbonate compound composition comprising CO 2  from said CO 2  source and strontium present in the carbonate composition in an amount ranging from 3 to 10,000 ppm, wherein said metastable carbonate compound composition is characterized by being more stable in salt water than in fresh water; and   using said carbonate compound composition to produce a hydraulic cement composition.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said industrial waste stream is a waste stream or product from an industrial plant comprises a flue gas from combustion; a flue gas from a chemical processing plant; a flue gas from another industrial plant that produces CO 2  as a byproduct; or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said method further produces a mother liquor, and further comprises separating said precipitated carbonate compound composition from said mother liquor and further processing the separated carbonate compound composition wherein further processing comprises: storage, drying, preparation for use in a building material, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said alkaline-earth-containing water contains calcium and magnesium in a ratio of from 10/1 to 1/5 Ca/Mg. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising using the hydraulic cement composition as a component of a settable composition. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said subjecting step comprises contacting said alkaline-earth-metal-containing water with a pH raising agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said pH raising agent comprises a component selected from the group consisting of: oxides, hydroxides, carbonate, coal ash, and naturally occurring minerals. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said subjecting step comprises subjecting said water to electrolysis conditions. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said alkaline-earth-metal-containing water comprises sea water, a brine, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 combining a hydraulic cement composition according to  claim 1  with water to produce a hydrated hydraulic cement; and   allowing said hydrated hydraulic cement to set into a solid product.   
     
     
         11 . A system for producing a hydraulic cement, said system comprising:
 an input for a salt water wherein said salt water comprises an alkaline-earth-metal-containing water comprising strontium;   a CO 2  gaseous stream source;   a CO 2  charger and precipitation reactor that subjects said water to carbonate compound precipitation conditions sufficient to produce a precipitated metastable carbonate compound composition characterized by being more stable in salt water than in fresh water that finds use as a hydraulic cement, wherein strontium is present in the carbonate composition in an amount ranging from 3 to 10,000 ppm; and   a refining station where the precipitated carbonate compound composition may be mechanically processed and/or one or more components may be added to the precipitate to produce a final product.