On Sustainable Production of CaCO3 via Monohydrocalcite—A Carbon Capture and Mineralisation Product from Waste Brines

Abstract

This study investigated the conversion of monohydrocalcite (MHC) to anhydrous calcium carbonate. The primary material, MHC, was produced from waste brines containing Ca and Mg ions, reacted with sodium carbonate, which may serve in the carbon capture and mineralisation approach. Two different approaches to the conversion were studied: 1) the conversion of MHC conversion to anhydrous calcium carbonates in air (under ambient conditions); 2) the identification of conversion conditions which could be adapted for potential industrial application. The former focused on the effects of the synthesis system conditions of the primary material on the aragonite conversion process and the resulting aragonite morphology, whereas the latter covered the factors that accelerate conversion and influence the resulting morphology. The paper also discusses instances where MHC converts to the more stable polymorph, calcite. It was found that conditions leading to the polymorphic and morphological selection of converted minerals were temperature and humidity dependant.