Facing climate change: Environmental evaluation of gypsum-like CO2 utilization Mg-based materials

Abstract

The product environmental assessment quantifies possible further improvements during the life cycle of a product, from flue gas extraction, through adsorption, carbonation, rinsing, activation and utilization. In this study, the carbon footprint, water footprint and energy footprint of magnesium carbonate product (MCC) has been estimated, following the life cycle assessment method. Though the analysis, the species of alkali, efficiency of alkali using, seawater desalination technology and substitution ratio have strongly influenced on the overall CO2 footprint, water footprint and energy footprint balance of the CO2 mineralization process. Several scenarios using ammonia or waste alkali would produce a negative carbon footprint MCC material, to substitute plasterboard. Energy consumption for scenarios with 100% substitution is -2 MJ to 14 MJ per kg of final MCC for scenarios using waste alkali.