The "Kvarit" project is a unique opportunity to achieve the targets of 2030 and reduce dependence on natural gas.

The methods of producing bricks, the availability of raw materials and energy resources were highly appreciated and used by man. Clay brick is fixed in the form of a "genetic" level in the human mind as an indispensable building material. Most likely, this explains conservatism and skepticism when using building materials on a bio-based basis. The only competitor for bricks (except wood) has always been comfortable building materials, comfortable in work from natural volcanic tuff and pumice.

We propose to expand the area of application of such materials through a new ecological, energy-efficient and resource-saving technology for obtaining building materials – “Kvarit”.

Innovative, new porous building material “Kvarit” is a synthetic volcanic tuff and pumice, obtained by technology, which completely eliminates pollution of the environment. This technology, in particular, aims at a significant saving of hydrocarbon fuels, the reserves of which are not infinite.

Low-carbon technologies are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the sustainability of the energy system, as well as to reduce dependence on external fossil fuel suppliers. This refers in full to the expanded clay block, and alternative to it is “Kvarit”.

According to the European Expanded Clay Association (EXCA), the production of expanded clay in 2007 was 7 million cubic meters per year, while they critically approach to the possibility of reducing the reported reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Assuming that 20% of the expanded clay was supplied for the production of expanded clay blocks, its volume is 1,400,000 m3. Theoretical energy consumption per cubic meter of expanded clay blocks (expanded clay + cement): 822,265 kcal / m3 = 3 440 356, 76 J / m3.
The amount of theoretically necessary gas energy per this volume:
1 400 000 * 3 440356, 76 = 4.82 * 1015J.

Taking into account that 1 m3 of gas = 9162 kcal * 4,184 = 38 333.8 kJ, it is not difficult to determine the volume of gas consumption reduction in the EU. (For those who wish, you can check the calculations and methodology =125 * 106 m3 of gas).

We remind you that the estimated energy efficiency of production of one cubic meter of Kvarit is 0.97 GJ / cu, bricks -1.8-2.2 GJ / cu, expanded clay block - 3.4 GJ / cu (expanded clay + cement), excluding energy consumed by technological equipment.

Moreover, significant energy saving is guaranteed, expected in the process of operation of buildings and structures that were built using "Kvarit".

In order to implement the project you need:
1. – to create a prototype of furnace, conduct tribological studies of nodes and parts, not clinical tests of the furnace for 30,000 thermal exchanges (maximum operating load of the furnace during the year);
2. - creation of pilot production with a capacity of 1.4 - 2 kbm / day;
3. - research and certification of the received material;
4. -development of methodology and technological processes for the creation and operation of a production laboratory necessary for quality control of products and raw materials.

Financial opportunities today do not allow to conduct further study of the project, and if such partners as ECO-CEE, LEEMA, EDEFU or ISOBIO participate in this project, the implementation and commercialization of this project will not have problems.

I think there are at least two problems in programs and funds aimed at innovative development, namely:
1 - lack of a program to track an interdisciplinary, multifaceted, breakthrough project in networks - find partners;
2 - the problem of finding coordinators able to look beyond their narrow
specialized knowledge.

Source: http://cordis.europa.eu/news/rcn/141384_en.html?isPermaLink=true?WT.mc_i...