Engineering application examples of concretion formation mechanisms

Abstract

This paper introduces two early-stage engineering applications inspired by concretion formation, a naturally occurring elemental and molecular concentration process. First, the precipitation of iron oxide from highly acidic wastewater using cement clinker and its applications to channel control were investigated. Blocking of channels by iron oxide precipitating around the clinker was confirmed using a column test. Second, the production of “Calcium carbonate concrete” using concrete waste and CO₂ in the air was investigated, based on the fact that calcium carbonate is the binding material in calcium carbonate concretions. Understanding the natural mechanism of concretion formation is not only a fascinating topic from a scientific perspective, it also has potential engineering applications.