Carbon dioxide sequestration by mineral carbonation
Concerns about global warming caused by the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere have resulted in the need for research to reduce or eliminate emissions of these gases. Carbonation of magnesium and calcium silicate minerals is one possible method to achieve this reduction. It is possible to carry out these reactions either in situ (storage underground and subsequent reaction with the host rock to trap CO2 as carbonate minerals) or ex situ (above ground in a more traditional chemical processing plant). Research at the Department of Energy’s Albany Research Center has explored both of these routes. This paper will explore parameters that affect the direct carbonation of magnesium silicate minerals serpentine (Mg3Si2O5(OH)4) and olivine (Mg2SiO4) to produce magnesite (MgCO3), as well as the calcium silicate mineral, wollastonite (CaSiO3), to form calcite (CaCO3). The Columbia River Basalt Group is a multi-layered basaltic lava plateau that has favorable mineralogy and structure for storage of CO2. Up to 25% combined concentration of Ca, Fe2+, and Mg cations could react to form carbonates and thus sequester large quantities of CO2. Core samples from the Columbia River Basalt Group were reacted in an autoclave for up to 2000 hours at temperatures and pressures to simulate in situ conditions. Changes in core porosity, secondary minerals, and solution chemistry were measured.
- Research Organization:
- Albany Research Center (ARC), Albany, OR
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE - Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
- OSTI ID:
- 903290
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ARC-2004-011
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Carbon dioxide sequestration by direct mineral carbonation with carbonic acid
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Related Subjects
58 GEOSCIENCES
AUTOCLAVES
BASALT
CALCITE
CALCIUM SILICATES
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBONATE MINERALS
CARBONATES
CATIONS
CHEMISTRY
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
GREENHOUSE GASES
LAVA
MAGNESIUM
MAGNESIUM SILICATES
MINERALOGY
OLIVINE
POROSITY
PROCESSING
SERPENTINE
STORAGE
carbon dioxide sequestration
global warming
mineral carbonation greenhouse gases