Carbon dioxide mineral carbonation using natural minerals as feedstock: A review

Carbon dioxide (CO۲) concentration in the atmosphere has been increasing rapidly, and this rapid change has led to promotion of CO۲ reduction methods. Of all the available methods, CO۲ mineral sequestration provides a leakage free method to produce environmentally benign and stable solid carbonates via a chemical conversion to a thermodynamically lower state. This process mimics the natural rock weathering process that takes place over thousands of years. The concept of mineral carbonation is based on the acceleration of chemical reactions and the kinetics of CO۲ and metal ions (usually calcium and magnesium). Olivine and serpentine, which are rich in magnesium, and wollastonite, which is rich in calcium, are the most abundant and suitable natural minerals for carbonation. Mineral carbonation can proceed directly through aqueous and gas–solid carbonation or indirectly through stepwise gas–solid carbonation, acetic acid utilization, aqueous carbonation and chemically enhanced carbonation. Carbonization of natural minerals through direct and indirect methods has resulted in somewhat high calcium and magnesium conversion rates; however, the extent of reaction has been significantly improved using indirect mineral carbonation. This paper provides an overview of the available carbonation methods to sequester carbon dioxide using suitable natural minerals.

Keywords:

Carbon capture and storage , CO۲ sequestration , Natural minerals , Mineral carbonation