An apparatus for delivering a wet concrete mix to a product mold, where the apparatus comprises a hopper configured to retain a fresh concrete mix, a source of treated water having a concentration of nanobubbles of a gas at least double a natural concentration of nanobubbles of the gas within a natural state of the water, a water transport coupling the source of treated water with the hopper, a valve interposed within the water transport for selectively releasing the treated water into the hopper, and a mixer in communication with the hopper for mixing the treated water with the fresh concrete mix to yield an infused wet concrete.

An apparatus for delivering a wet concrete mix to a product mold, where the apparatus comprises a hopper configured to retain a fresh concrete mix, a source of treated water having a concentration of nanobubbles of a gas at least double a natural concentration of nanobubbles of the gas within a natural state of the water, a water transport coupling the source of treated water with the hopper, a valve interposed within the water transport for selectively releasing the treated water into the hopper, and a mixer in communication with the hopper for mixing the treated water with the fresh concrete mix to yield an infused wet concrete.

A binder composition that includes cement, optionally calcium sulfate, at least one zinc salt and at least one alkylamine, and to a dry-mortar mixture that includes said binder composition. The present invention further relates to the use of a composition composed of a zinc salt and an alkylamine for achieving high early strengths in a binder composition.

A binder composition that includes cement, optionally calcium sulfate, at least one zinc salt and at least one alkylamine, and to a dry-mortar mixture that includes said binder composition. The present invention further relates to the use of a composition composed of a zinc salt and an alkylamine for achieving high early strengths in a binder composition.

A nanobubble-infused liquid is mixed into a dry concrete mix to form an infused wet concrete, where the nanobubble-infused liquid includes a concentration of nanobubbles of a gas at least double a natural concentration of nanobubbles of the gas within a natural state of the liquid. The nanobubble-infused liquid is preferably liquid water infused with a desired concentration of carbon-dioxide (CO.sub.2) nanobubbles sized within a certain prescribed range. The infused wet concrete is then transported to the mold of a concrete products forming machine to form a molded product that has enhanced qualities including increased carbon capture within the resulting concrete product, improved curing times, increased flowability, self-healing, and improved release from the product mold.

A nanobubble-infused liquid is mixed into a dry concrete mix to form an infused wet concrete, where the nanobubble-infused liquid includes a concentration of nanobubbles of a gas at least double a natural concentration of nanobubbles of the gas within a natural state of the liquid. The nanobubble-infused liquid is preferably liquid water infused with a desired concentration of carbon-dioxide (CO.sub.2) nanobubbles sized within a certain prescribed range. The infused wet concrete is then transported to the mold of a concrete products forming machine to form a molded product that has enhanced qualities including increased carbon capture within the resulting concrete product, improved curing times, increased flowability, self-healing, and improved release from the product mold.

Aspects of the invention include methods of removing carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) from a CO.sub.2 containing gas. In some instances, the methods include contacting CO.sub.2 containing gas with a bicarbonate buffered aqueous medium under conditions sufficient to produce a bicarbonate rich product. Where desired, the resultant bicarbonate rich product or a component thereof may then be stored or further processed, e.g., combined with a divalent alkaline earth metal cation, under conditions sufficient to produce a solid carbonate composition. Aspects of the invention further include systems for practicing the methods, as well as products produced by the methods.

A geopolymer composition for use as a cement or concrete is provided, the composition comprising: (a) fly ash (FA); (b) ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS); and (c) high-magnesium nickel slag (HMNS). The composition may optionally comprise a filler. A method for forming a geopolymer composition is also provided, the method comprising: providing a geopolymer precursor comprising: (a) fly ash (FA); (b) ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS); and (c) high-magnesium nickel slag (HMNS); combining components (a) to (c) with an activator, the activator comprising a silicate and a base in solution in a solvent; and allowing the resulting mixture to cure. The geopolymer composition advantageously comprises one or more allotropes of carbon, in particular a carbon nano-structure material, for example nanotubes, nanobuds and nanoribbons. The geopolymer composition finds use in form a wide range of construction components and structures.

A geopolymer composition for use as a cement or concrete is provided, the composition comprising: (a) fly ash (FA); (b) ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS); and (c) high-magnesium nickel slag (HMNS). The composition may optionally comprise a filler. A method for forming a geopolymer composition is also provided, the method comprising: providing a geopolymer precursor comprising: (a) fly ash (FA); (b) ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS); and (c) high-magnesium nickel slag (HMNS); combining components (a) to (c) with an activator, the activator comprising a silicate and a base in solution in a solvent; and allowing the resulting mixture to cure. The geopolymer composition advantageously comprises one or more allotropes of carbon, in particular a carbon nano-structure material, for example nanotubes, nanobuds and nanoribbons. The geopolymer composition finds use in form a wide range of construction components and structures.

A method for recycling a used rotor blade of a wind turbine includes processing the used rotor blade into a plurality of material fragments. The method also includes treating the plurality of material fragments to remove at least a portion of the at least one composite material and expose the at least one fiber material of the used rotor blade. Further, the method includes mixing the treated plurality of material fragments with, at least, an alkali activator to form a usable geopolymer concrete.