When possible, we attempt to compile valuable datasets and open access tools that can be used by other researchers. A few of these are presented here:
Tools
OpenConcrete is an Excel spreadsheet based tool that facilitates cradle-to-gate environmental impact assessments of concrete mixtures. Users can specify energy mixes, equipment efficiency, and concrete mixture proportions. Outputs include water demand, energy demand, GHG emissions, and key air pollutant emissions.
Publication to cite: Kim, A., P.R. Cunningham, K. Kamau-Devers, S.A. Miller. (2022). “OpenConcrete: A tool for estimating the environmental impacts from concrete production.” Environmental Research Infrastructure and Sustainability, 2: 041001.
Tool: link for tool download
Noting the wide range of biomass that gets used in slow pyrolysis to form biochar, which is touted as a carbon-storage material, we have developed an Excel-based tool to predict slow pyrolysis outcomes. Namely, based on lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and ash content and treatment temperature, this tool generates pyrolysis life-cycle inventories, including energy and CO2 outputs, for various feedstock resources and energy resources.
Publication to cite: S. Kane, S.A. Miller, (2024). “Predicting biochar properties and pyrolysis life-cycle inventories with compositional modeling.” Bioresources Technology, 399: 130551.
Tool: link for tool download
Datasets
Through a collaboration with several other institutions, we developed a database of potential quantities of supplementary cementitious materials that could be produced worldwide. We considered industrial byproduct sources, ashes from agricultural and forestry residues, and concrete waste sources.
Publication to cite: Shah, I.H., S.A. Miller, D. Jiang, R.J. Myers. (2022). “Cement substitution with secondary materials can reduce annual global CO2 emissions by up to 1.3 gigatons.” Nature Communications, 13: 5758.
Dataset: link for data download
To support variability and data uncertainty modeling, we have assembled emissions variability and data quality uncertainty distributions for GHG and air pollutants for energy and process-related sources in concrete production.
Publication to cite: Miller, S.A. (2021) “The role of data variability and uncertainty in the probability of mitigating environmental impacts from cement and concrete” Environmental Research Letters, 16(5): 054053.
Dataset: link for data download