CO2 Sequestration through Mineral Carbonation: Effect of Different Parameters on Carbonation of Fe-Rich Mine Waste Materials

Verma Loretta M Molahid,Faradiella Mohd Kusin,Sharifah Nur Munirah Syed Hasan,Ahmad Makmom Abdullah,Noor Allesya Alis Ramli

doi:10.3390/pr10020432

Verma Loretta M Molahid, Faradiella Mohd Kusin + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10020432

Copy DOI

Abstract

Mineral carbonation is an increasingly popular method for carbon capture and storage that resembles the natural weathering process of alkaline-earth oxides for carbon dioxide removal into stable carbonates. This study aims to evaluate the potential of reusing Fe-rich mine waste for carbon sequestration by assessing the influence of pH condition, particle size fraction and reaction temperature on the carbonation reaction. A carbonation experiment was performed in a stainless steel reactor at ambient pressure and at a low temperature. The results indicated that the alkaline pH of waste samples was suitable for undergoing the carbonation process. Mineralogical analysis confirmed the presence of essential minerals for carbonation, i.e., magnetite, wollastonite, anorthite and diopside. The chemical composition exhibited the presence of iron and calcium oxides (39.58–62.95%) in wastes, indicating high possibilities for carbon sequestration. Analysis of the carbon uptake capacity revealed that at alkaline pH (8–12), 81.7–87.6 g CO2/kg of waste were sequestered. Furthermore, a particle size of <38 µm resulted in 83.8 g CO2/kg being sequestered from Fe-rich waste, suggesting that smaller particle sizes highly favor the carbonation process. Moreover, 56.1 g CO2/kg of uptake capacity was achieved under a low reaction temperature of 80 °C. These findings have demonstrated that Fe-rich mine waste has a high potential to be utilized as feedstock for mineral carbonation. Therefore, Fe-rich mine waste can be regarded as a valuable resource for carbon sinking while producing a value-added carbonate product. This is in line with the sustainable development goals regarding combating global climate change through a sustainable low-carbon industry and economy that can accelerate the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

Highlights

Efforts to find a solution for the alarming climate change issue have resulted in research all over the world proposing large-scale carbon dioxide sequestration from the atmosphere [1]
All of the samples were ascertained according to Smith et al [44], in which samples were collected from the surface to a depth of approximately 15–20 cm to ensure that representative samples were obtained
It has been stated that materials that are alkaline in nature are essential to facilitate mineral precipitation for carbonation [13,43]

Summary

Introduction

Efforts to find a solution for the alarming climate change issue have resulted in research all over the world proposing large-scale carbon dioxide sequestration from the atmosphere [1]. The fact that the level of carbon dioxide has become on par with one of the historical times of earth is alarming, as these changes can affect everything. This includes extreme weather that can affect the surrounding environment, humans and other living things. Concern over the global warming issue, regarding the anthropogenic contribution (use of fossil fuel and carbon dioxide emission), gives rise to serious international demand on nations to lower their production of anthropogenic carbon dioxide. Leung et al [6] have mentioned the different strategies many countries have used to decrease their carbon dioxide emissions, including carbon capture and storage

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion