Progress on binding CO2 in mineral substrates

Abstract

Based on current estimates of reserves, coal could satisfy even a very much increased world energy demand for centuries, if only the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere could be curtailed. Here we present a method of CO2 disposal that is based on combining CO2 chemically with abundant raw materials to form stable carbonate minerals. A major advantage of this method is that the resulting waste product is thermodynamically stable and environmentally neutral. It is therefore possible to store large quantities permanently with minimal environmental impact and without the danger of an accidental release of CO2 which has proven fatal in quantities far smaller than contemplated here. The raw materials to bind CO2 exist in nature in large quantities in ultramafic rocks. They are readily accessible and far exceed what would be required to bind all CO2 that could possibly be generated by burning the entire fossil fuel reserves. In this paper we outline a specific process that we are currently investigating. Our initial rough cost estimate of about 3~/kWh is encouraging. The availability of a CO2 fixation technology would serve as insurance in case global warming, or the perception of global warming, would cause severe restrictions on CO2 emissions. If the increased energy demand of a growing world population is to be satisfied from coal, the implementation of such a technology would be unavoidable. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd

CO2 Capture by Accelerated Carbonation of Alkaline Wastes: A Review on Its Principles and Applications

“…The direct gas-solid carbonation process, first studied by Lackner et al (1995), consists of converting oxide or silicate minerals directly to carbonates using gaseous or supercritical CO 2 . Lackner et al (1997) reported that the highest conversion by direct gas-solid carbonation of silicates was found to be 25% by exposing 100-μm serpentine particles to a CO 2 pressure of 340 bar and a temperature of 500°C for 2 h. Drawbacks of the gas-solid process that have prevented its widespread large-scale use to date are (i) the slow kinetics of carbonation chemistry and (ii) the significant energy input requirement (IPCC, 2005). However, the gas-solid process is much more economical than wet carbonation using aqueous solutions (Zevenhoven et al, 2008).…”

Acid-dissolution of antigorite, chrysotile and lizardite for ex situ carbon capture and storage by mineralisation

“…Currently, two CCSM approaches are being considered: (i) in situ -whereby the CO 2 is injected underground into a suitable host-rock where it reacts to form carbonate [Kelemen and Matter, 2008;Kelemen et al, 2011;Matter and Kelemen, 2009;McGrail et al, 2014;McGrail et al, 2006;Schaef et al, 2011]; and (ii) ex situ, which involves carbonation of feedstock materials above-ground in a specifically designed CCSM plant [Fagerlund et al, 2009;Lackner et al, 1997;Larachi et al, 2012;Park and Fan, 2004;Sanna et al, 2014;Sanna et al, 2013;Wang and Maroto-Valer, 2011a;b;Werner et al, 2013]. Both host-rock for injection and feedstock materials must be widely available and contain large proportions of easily-extractable cations (i.e.…”

Designing a carbon capture function into urban soils

“…Recently research investigating the carbonation of calcium and magnesium silicate minerals to capture atmospheric carbon (Manning, 2008;Lackner et al, 1997) has discovered carbonate formation in laboratory and field experiments. Manning (2008) suggests that accelerated weathering of these materials in soil will capture carbon on a human relevant time scale.…”