• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2022

Soybean-urease induced carbonate precipitation (EICP), as an alternative to microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP), was employed for soil improvement. Meanwhile, soluble calcium produced from industrial waste carbide slag powder (CSP) via the acid dissolution method was used for the EICP process. The ratio of CSP to the acetic acid solution was optimized to obtain a desirable calcium concentration with an appropriate pH. The calcium solution was then used for the sand columns test, and the engineering properties of the EICP-treated sand, including unconfined compressive strength, permeability, and calcium carbonate content, were evaluated. Results showed that the properties of the biocemented sand using the CSP derived calcium solution were comparable to those using the reagent grade CaCl₂. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses revealed that spherical vaterite crystals were mainly formed when the CSP-derived calcium solution was used. In contrast, spherical calcite crystals were primarily formed as the reagent grade CaCl₂ was used. This study highlighted that it was effective and sustainable to use soluble calcium produced from CSP for the EICP process.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.7-16
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• 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the sulfate removal capacity of the enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) technique through the chemical precipitation of sulfate with calcium ions. The optimal EICP recipe was obtained to retain the excess calcium cations in the solution for the generation of a sufficient amount of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) mineral. The effect of gypsum precipitation on the EICP-treated sand specimen was investigated by measuring the shear wave velocity and by visual inspection via scanning electron microscopy. The EICP solution using soybean crude urease, as an alternative to laboratory-grade purified urease, exhibited a lower sulfate removal efficiency at a similar CaCO₃ production rate compared with the optimal EICP recipe because of soybean impurities.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.281-289
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• 2022

Bio-CaCO₃ is a blowout environment-friendly materials for soil improvement and sealing of rock fissures. To evaluate the chemical characteristics, shape, size and productivity of soybean urease induced CaCO₃ precipitates (SUICP), experimental studies were conducted via EDS, XRD, FT-IR, TGA, BET, and SEM. Also, the conversion rate of SUICP reaction at different time were determined and analyzed. The Bio-CaCO₃ product obtained by SUICP is comprehensively judged as calcite based on the results of EDS, XRD and FT-IR. The SUICP calcite precipitates are detected as spherical or ellipsoidal particles 3-6 ㎛ in diameter with nanoscale pores on their surface, and this morphology is novel. The median secondary particle size d₅₀ is 39-88 ㎛, indicating the agglomeration of the primary calcite particles. The Bio-calcite decomposes at 650-780℃, representing a medium thermal stability. The conversion rate of SUICP reaction can reach 80% in 24h, which is much more efficient than microbially induced CaCO₃ precipitation. These results reveal the knowledges of SUICP, and further direct its engineering applications. Moreover, we show an economic channel to obtain porous spherical calcite.