Zhili Ren
University of Sheffield
About Zhili Ren
Affiliation
University of Sheffield
Innovandi Project
Core Project 8: Effect of cooling rates on the properties of Portland cement clinker in the presence of minor components (Mg, S, Na, Zn, F, P), Feb 2022 – Feb 2026.
Background
Research Assistant at Shenzhen University, China. Earned a Master’s degree from Shenzhen University, specialising in the carbonation properties of building materials.
Research topic
My research topic is focused on synthesizing Portland cement clinker with minor elements and characterizing the clinker performance. Particular emphasis is placed on Mg ions, as MgO is a common minor component in raw materials for clinker manufacture, along with the co-incorporation of other minor elements. This project contributes to enhancing the feasibility of using low-purity raw materials while improving clinker properties.
The clinkerization properties, such as melting and solids temperatures, as well as clinkerization energy, are studied using DSC and a drop calorimeter, respectively. The clinker phase composition is analyzed via XRD Rietveld refinement. The retention and elemental distribution of minor elements, along with the microstructure of the clinker phase, are investigated using SEM. Additionally, the hydration performance is examined through isothermal calorimetry, TGA, XRD, SEM, and TEM techniques.