Motivation and objectives
The decarbonisation of cement and concrete is essential for achieving global climate goals and is therefore being consistently driven forward by the industry. The development and application of clinker-efficient ternary cements with calcined clays plays an important role in the reduction of the clinker factor.
Previous studies on cements with calcined clays have mainly focused on the chemical-mineralogical properties and the resulting cement performance. The process engineering options for the production of such cements have so far been largely neglected, although they are expected to have a significant influence on cement performance. The objective of the research project is to systematically investigate the influence of grinding fineness, particle size distribution and fractions on the cement properties with a focus on the highest possible performance at the lowest possible clinker content.
In particular, the influence of co- and separate grinding, different grinding systems and the influence of different gap-graded calcined clays will be investigated. In addition to the cement performance, the hydration behaviour will also be analysed.
The results of this research project should enable cement manufacturers and the clay industry to have a better understanding of the influence of processing strategies and parameters on the performance of ternary cements made from calcined clays and limestone.
In addition to the effects of various preparation and grinding processes, the research project focuses also on the efficient use of resources, the lowest possible specific total energy requirement and the highest possible CO₂ savings potential.
