CO2 Storage by Mineral Carbonation

Technical Report

1 September 2005

W.J.J. Huijgen, R.N.J. Comans

Citation: IEAGHG, "CO2 Storage by Mineral Carbonation", 2005-11, September 2005.

Publication Overview

In 2000 the IEA GHG R&D programme issued a comprehensive report on technologies for capture of CO2 using mineral carbonation. This report evaluated 6 candidate processes but concluded that only one process involving a hot melt of magnesium chloride showed any promise. Mineral carbonation is attractive as a CO2 storage option because of its permanency but would involve mining, processing and re-depositing of massive quantities of material. In the mean time research has continued and it was felt that it was timely to conduct a more up to date study. As a first step a short review of recent developments and literature was commissioned to ascertain whether it was worthwhile going ahead with a full scale study.

Publication Summary

There has been a shift to investigate other mineral carbonation processes since the IEAGHG 2000 report as researchers look for an economically viable route. Research is still active but in a relatively small number of institutions. Significant breakthroughs are needed but obstacles to be overcome are considerable. However the raw materials required for mineral carbonation are globally abundant and this potential still makes further research attractive.

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