A Method for the Removal of CO2 by Mineral Carbonation (Yeda)

An efficient method to reduce CO2 concentration. Climate change is one of the most urgent subjects worldwide, with implications affecting the entire population of the planet. One of the major aspects influencing global warming is the emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Most of the greenhouse gases emitted due to human activity are related to burning of fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, gasoline, natural gas) with the major component being CO2. Furthermore, increased CO2 emissions (due to increased world energy consumption) are expected as the living standard improves in many parts of the world. Consequently, to enable drastic reductions in CO2 emissions it is becoming necessary to capture and sequester CO2. The outlined technology involves a simple precipitation reaction using CO2 to form a stable and inert carbonate compound using that can be stored or discarded.

◾Long term stability
◾Vast capacity of field sites
◾Potentially economically viable
◾Potential for treatment of waste air and flue gases
◾May overcome the problem of CO2 escape during or after sequestration

◾- In situ and ex situ CO2 sequestration, by conversion to carbonate rock
◾- In subsurface systems, carbonate precipitation can reduce hydraulic conductivity, thus mitigating movement of saltwater or groundwater contaminants

This technology consists of a new method for sequestering CO2 in subsurface geological formations, by converting it into a stable mineral form. CO2 in water results in chemical equilibrium with bicarbonate (HCO3-) and carbonic acid (CO32-). This equilibrium is very sensitive to changes in pH, thus under basic conditions equilibrium considerations favor precipitation of HCO3- and CO32- as carbonate minerals, while under acidic conditions there is release of CO2 by dissolution and dissociation of carbonates. The method can also be adapted for above-ground operation.

1394

Israel