Raw Materials
AAC contains a pore content of approximately 80%. That is the reason why 4m3 of construction material can be produced out of 1m3of raw materials. The low consumption of raw materials contributes to their conservation compared to other construction materials.
Recycling
By-products of AAC production such as condensate from the autoclaving, hardened AAC waste and unhardened AAC mixture can be recycled back into the production of AAC. Besides, other industrial waste like fly ash and slag can be utilized as main raw materials too.
Energy Consumption
AAC is autoclaved at a pressure of roughly 12 bar and 190oC. Energy is consumed during this process. The total amount of energy consumed during the production of AAC, including conditioning energy for raw materials, internal power consumption and energy contents for raw materials which are not produce in AAC plant (e.g. lime, cement, aluminium powder), is found to be a total consumption of 2010MJ/t or 1005MJ/m3 at density of 500kg/m3, which is 2 or 3 times lower than other building materials such as burnt bricks.
Production Emissions
Emissions of gasses such as CO2, CO and NOx which originate from the steam generation while producing AAC are relatively low compared, for example, with burning processes in bricks industry.
Thermal Control
With excellent thermal insulation properties, AAC building has very good thermal resistance quality and therefore in many instances the use of supplementary insulation is unnecessary. It also takes less energy to heat or to cool an AAC building.
Moisture control
AAC is breathable and effective in moderating the moisture levels and maintaining the correct relative humidity to achieve a comfortable and mould-free living environment.
Product weight
The dry density of AAC is approximately one-quarter of normal high density concrete, resulting advantages in transportation as a good ratio of volume to weight permits full utilization of transport capacity, and means effectively 1 truck of normal materials equal to 5 trucks of AAC products.
