Sintering red mud based imitative ceramic bricks with CO2 emissions below zero

This brief communication is to report the excellent mechanical strength and substantial environmental benefit of imitative ceramic bricks made by sintering red mud (SRM) using accelerated carbonation process at room temperature which is distinct from the sintering process of traditional ceramics. Such high strength is postulated to result from crystalline calcium carbonate and amorphous silica gels that are formed during the accelerated carbonation process. Furthermore, during this process, up to 100 kg of CO2 are sequestrated per ton of SRM used. The CO2 footprint associated with the manufacturing of imitative ceramic bricks is below zero. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.