The world’s most abundant man-made material is becoming Green
Look around. You will be hard pressed not to see something made from concrete. If you’re in a rural area, you may have to work a little harder, but if you’re in a building there’s bound to be a concrete floor. An urban dweller stands a better chance of walking on a sidewalk, enter a building or driving in a tunnel or on a bridge that has been built with concrete.
It’s no wonder that concrete is the most abundant man-made material in the world. It’s been used to build with almost as far back as recorded time. Ancient Egyptians and later Romans are noted for their use of concrete.
Concrete is becoming environmentally friendly!
Today, China is the largest producer of ready-mix concrete in the world with a market share of almost 33%. Worldwide production is expected to grow by nearly 6% in the next 5 years as developing nations continue their efforts to build buildings and infrastructure.
What is concrete? Concrete is made up of 3 basic components: water, an aggregate (rock, sand or gravel) and Portland Cement. This combination can be reinforced with metal or fibers to increase its strength.
The BBC reported that cement is the source of about 8% of the world’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions according to think tank Chatham House. They also reported that if the cement industry were a country, it would be the third largest emitter in the world, behind China and the US.
What can be done to “green up” this greenhouse gas emitter? A company called CarbonCure has come up with a solution. They have developed a system that traps CO2 emissions and “mineralizes”
them as the concrete hardens. This process strengthens the concrete and allows for the use of less cement. Read and view the CNN article and video here.
CarbonCure is on a mission to reduce CO2 emissions by 500 megatons annually.
- They have more than 130 producer partners across North America and in Singapore.
- On average, 25 pounds of CO2 are saved per cubic yard of ready mix concrete made with the CarbonCure Technology.
- In total, our ready mix partners have produced more than 2.5 million cubic yards of reduced-carbon concrete, saving more than 75 million pounds of CO2 to date.
Their patented process involves injecting a precise amount bulk CO2 into the mixing process. The CO2 becomes chemically converted into a mineral which improves the compressive strength of concrete while reducing the amount of cement necessary. It is the reduction in the quantity of cement along with the use of sourced CO2 that improves the greenhouse gas emissions.
According to CarbonCure, this process can be added to virtually any type of production – from ready mix, to precast to masonry. Their mission is to save up to 500 megatons of CO2 every year and they claim to have already saved 76.2M pounds to date. That’s equivalent to 41,501 acres of forestland absorbing CO2 for a year!
Contact us for more details.
How Does a Bulk CO2 System Work?
Liquid bulk CO2 is a safer, low-pressure alternative to high-pressure gas cylinders for fountain soda and / or draft beer in bars, restaurants, breweries and more.
How does a Bulk CO2 System work? CO2 is stored on the premise in a bulk tank and provides a continuous, reliable supply of CO2 to your soda and beer systems. This correctly carbonates and preserves draft beer and fountain soda drinks every time they’re poured – from the first to the last! Maximizing the number of pints from each keg or soda while maximizing profits! Deliveries are automatic and conveniently filled through an exterior-fill box. Delivery schedules are determined based on your usage, so you never run out of CO2.
No More!
NO MORE – Changing tanks during peak business hours
NO MORE – Flat beer or flat soda
NO MORE – Wasting products and supplies
NO MORE – Damage to your restaurant/bar created by heavily cylinders being dragged throughout the property
NO MORE – Injuries to employees as a result of lifting heavy cylinders
It’s enough! Stop serving flat or foamy beer and soda with Tri-State Carbonation Service’s Bulk CO2 System.
|
Bulk CO2 |
High-Pressure Cylinders |
|
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Generally less expensive than high pressure cylinders since purchasing in bulk. | No buying power since buying in low quantities |
| Product | Only pay for the CO2 consumed – no residual CO2 left at the bottom of the tank when returned. | Residual CO2 left at the bottom of the tank when returned that you paid for but will not be able to consume. |
| Time | Time saved by eliinating swapping of cylinders. No need to spend time ordering CO2. | Time wasted by swapping out cylinders. Tank usually needs to be swapped during peak serving time! |
| Satisfaction | With bulk, CO2 is always running through the system. No flat or foamy drinks will be served – more satified customers. | Cylinders are replaced after drinks are flat/foamy. By this time, undersirable drinks have been served – more UNsatisfied customers. |
| Waste | With reduction of flat drinks, less wasted of supplies – cups, straws, lids & more. | Customers typically do not consume flat drinks resluting in waste of supplies – cups, straws, lids & more. |
| Space | Bulks tanks only need 24″ of space. Leaving valuable space open for other products/systems. | High-pressure cylinders require large amount of space and must be chained. Typicall 3-4 tanks are needed at a time. |
| Safety | Bulks tanks are not portable. Employees do not move them, reducing the chance of injury. | Cylinders require to be moved. This increases the chance of injury. |
| Damage | Bulk tanks do not damage concrete, doorways, floors, etc. | Cylinders must be replaced when empty, increases chance for damage to concrete, doorways, floors, etc. |
Carbon dioxide is a key ingredient in carbonated beverages that helps determine taste, aroma and level of carbonation. The Bulk CO2 systems cut costs, reduce service delays and preserve and serve great product by replacing outdated and inefficient carbonating systems. Ensure the highest quality beverage is being served to your customers with a bulk CO2 system, from the first drink to the last!
Manage your Waste Water facility with CO2 instead of Acid
Think your Waste Water facility is too small to consider using CO2 instead of acid?
Think again!
For many years, strong acids were used to control pH levels in water treatment facilities, most commonly, sulfuric acid. Acid products do the job, but have many potential problem: acids are difficult to control and are potentially dangerous to store and handle.
Corrosive acid requires special materials for equipment and piping. Maintenance of systems demands frequent component repairs and replacement. Carbon dioxide (CO2), on the other hand, is safe to handle, easy to apply, efficient, and ecologically safe. When pH control is critical to your process or effluent quality, you can trust the CO2.
Advantages: There are a number of benefits that result from the use of carbon dioxide to control pH. The proposed system to adjust and control pH using carbon dioxide will reduce costs, reduce safety hazards, eliminate corrosion, improve pH control, and minimize maintenance.
Tri-State Carbonation will install a system for your application to adjust and control wastewater pH. Carbon dioxide will be injected in a manner that will provide good gas/liquid mixing for efficient dissolution and sufficient residence time for the hydrolysis of the carbon dioxide. Appropriate instrumentation and controls on the CO2 system will ensure the desired pH level control.
Contact the Tri-State Carbonation Service Engineer Team to determine if carbon dioxide is best for your pH control application.
Nitro Coffee – Let TCSCO2 Supply the Nitrogen
Looking for a new business opportunity for your restaurant or beverage service? Have you thought about serving a beverage that appeals to the younger generation? How about adding Nitro Coffee to your mix. Like thick heady beer (think Guinness), nitrogenated coffee is available “on-tap” and specially designed cans. The nitrogen infused cold brew is released through a pressurized draft system that creates tiny bubbles for a creamy effect.
Much like typical cold brew, nitrogen infused coffee is extremely smooth and low in acidity, but it has a uniquely silky mouthfeel. This is because nitrogen gas doesn’t dissolve in liquids as well as carbon dioxide, so the bubbles in a nitrogen infused beverage are much smaller. This gives nitro drinks a foamy rather than bubbly effect.
Most fans of the nitro-brew consume it black, either straight up or poured over ice, relying on the natural creaminess of the product rather than the addition of dairy. 
Visual Appeal
Many shops market and sell nitrogenated coffee using its appearance. As it’s pulled from a tap, it produces a coffee cascade of careening bubbles that is undeniably beautiful. The cascade effect, which is also apparent in nitro beers, arises because the nitrogen bubbles are so tiny that they are easily pushed around the glass by the flowing liquid.
Coffee? Health benefits??
It’s true! According to the Wall Street Journal, younger consumers say they view cold coffee as a healthier alternative to energy drinks and soda. Businesses – take notice! The energy drink worldwide market is expected to grow substantially hitting over $70 billion according to PRNewswire (10/17/2018).
The real benefit is natural flavor instead of additives like sugar and artificial sweeteners found in other drinks. While it’s not unusual to see someone put a ton of sugar into a traditional coffee, you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone add sugar to a nitro cold brew. That’s because the nitro foam hits the tongue in spots that give the perception of sweetness without the need for sugar or dairy creamers.
Added benefit – no acid reflux? Cold brews are very low in acid, benefitting coffee drinkers who tend to get heartburn or have sensitive stomachs.
So if you are ready to add a new beverage to your line up that appeals generationally, contact us for more information. We’ll help you get set up with the nitrogen gas that you need.