Sustainably and Efficiently Produces AAC
This manufacturing process takes municipal solid waste bottom ash to produce autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) sustainably and efficiently. ACC is a lightweight, precast, ecofriendly, and thermally insulated building material. In 2023, the autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) market size was estimated at USD 15.50 billion and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0% between 2024 and 2030. The growth of the AAC market is driven by the increasing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient building materials. The market value is in the building and construction industry, in addition, it offers sustainability value in the waste-to-energy industry.
Florida has the most MSWI facilities of any state in the U.S., with most plants commissioned since the early 1990s. These facilities represent 15 to 25% of MSW waste management in Florida, in areas with higher populations. This results in the production of approximately 1 million tons per year of ash residue across 12 facilities in Florida. It is important to identify ways to mitigate the negative health and environmental effects of bottom ash. Currently, the only AAC manufacturing facility using bottom ash in the United States is in Florida.
Traditional AAC production uses aluminum powder as its major aerating component. However, it must be imported from other countries, such as Mexico and Europe, incurring significant costs and reducing the viability of the AAC production. The demand for AAC in the U.S. is outpacing supply and production capacity. However, this technology provides an alternative for aluminum powder obtained from bottom ash following waste incineration.
Researchers at the University of Florida researchers employed bottom ash from municipal waste incineration to produce autoclaved aerated concrete. This provides an alternative source for aluminum powder, helping produce more sustainableand thermally efficient AAC in the United States. It also eliminates the need and cost of importing aluminum powder for AAC production. In addition, it repurposes bottom ash from waste incineration that would otherwise be landfilled, converting waste into a beneficial construction material. Thus, supporting environmental sustainability by finding productive uses for waste byproducts.
Application
Produces autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) using bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration as an aerating agent, replacing imported aluminum powder
Advantages
- Produces autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) domestically, eliminating the need and cost of importing aluminum powder
- The bottom ash meets strength and density specifications, and has similar thermal insulation as conventional AAC, to produce AAC, making it a top choice for building construction
- Converts waste to energy, eliminating the need to bury bottom ash and presenting advantages for environmental sustainability
- Provision of domestic source of aerating agents, expanding AAC production and adoption in the US construction industry
Technology
This autoclaved aerated concrete production offers a sustainable option in the building and construction industry. It uses bottom ash, containing aluminum byproduct, from municipal waste as an aerating agent. This enables aeration in the AAC while eliminating the need to import aluminum and overall reducing the cost of production.
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