Investigation of carbon distribution with {sup 14}C as tracer for carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) sequestration through NH{sub 4}HCO{sub 3} production
- Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY (United States). Institute for Combustion Science and Environmental Technology
This work studies carbon fate using the {sup 14}C tracer technique in ecosystems when synthesized fertilizer is applied. The concept of aqueous ammonia solution scrubbing CO{sub 2} from flue gas is used in the fertilizer synthesis. Products after the capture are ammonium bicarbonate (ABC, NH{sub 4}HCO{sub 3}) or long-term effect ammonium bicarbonate (LEABC, NH{sub 4}HCO{sub 3}), an economic source of nitrogen fertilizer. The ABC or LEABC is used as a 'carrier' to transport CO{sub 2} from the atmosphere to the crops and soil. An indoor greenhouse was built, and wheat was chosen as the plant to study in this ecosystem. The investigated ecosystem consists of plant (wheat), soils with three different pH values (alkaline, neutral, and acidic), and three types of underground water (different Ca{sup 2+} and Mg{sup 2+} concentrations). After biological assimilation and metabolism in wheat receiving ABC or LEABC, it was found that a considerable amount (up to 10%) of the carbon source was absorbed by the wheat with increased biomass production. The majority of the unused carbon source (up to 76%) percolated into the soil as carbonates, such as environmentally benign calcium carbonate (CaCO{sub 3}). Generally speaking, alkaline soil has a higher capability to capture and store carbon. For the same soil, there is no apparent difference in carbon capturing capability between ABC and LEABC. These findings answer the question of how carbon is distributed after synthesized ABC or LEABC is applied into the ecosystem. In addition, a separate postexperiment on carbon forms that existed in the soil was made. It was found that up to 88% of the trapped carbon existed in the form of insoluble salts (i.e., CaCO{sub 3}) in alkaline soils. This indicates that alkaline soil has a greater potential for storing carbon after the use of the synthesized ABC or LEABC from exhausted CO{sub 2}. 21 refs., 6 figs., 5 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 20978283
- Journal Information:
- Energy and Fuels, Vol. 21, Issue 6; Other Information: wei-ping.pan@wku.edu; ISSN 0887-0624
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Regenerable solvents mediate accelerated low temperature CO2 capture and carbon mineralization of ash and nano-scale calcium carbonate formation
Removal of U(VI) in the Alkaline Conditions Created by NH{sub 3} Gas - 17288