Carbon dioxide sequestration using alkaline earth metal-bearing minerals
First Claim
1. A method for mineral carbonation of carbon dioxide comprising,providing a particulate magnesium-containing mineral;
- exposing said magnesium-containing mineral to an aqueous solution containing from about 0.5 to about 5.0% by weight of a weak acid to dissolve magnesium from said mineral and form a magnesium-containing solution;
physically activating the surface of said particulate magnesium-containing mineral by fluidizing said particulate magnesium-containing mineral with grinding media, ultrasonic energy, or microwave energy to expose and dissolve additional magnesium into said solution;
separating the remaining particulate from said magnesium-containing solution;
mixing a gas containing carbon dioxide with said magnesium-containing solution; and
increasing the pH of said magnesium-containing solution to form magnesium carbonate and to remove carbon dioxide from said carbon dioxide containing gas.
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Abstract
A method for mineral sequestration of pollutant gases resulting from the combustion of carbon-based fuels such as carbon and sulfur dioxides is provided and includes, providing a particulate magnesium-containing mineral and exposing the magnesium-containing mineral to a weak acid to dissolve magnesium from the mineral and form a magnesium-containing solution. The surface of the particulate magnesium-containing mineral is physically activated to expose and dissolve additional magnesium into the solution. Pollutant gases such as carbon dioxide are mixed with the magnesium-containing solution. When the pH of the magnesium-containing solution is increased, solid magnesium carbonate is formed.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for mineral carbonation of carbon dioxide comprising,
providing a particulate magnesium-containing mineral; -
exposing said magnesium-containing mineral to an aqueous solution containing from about 0.5 to about 5.0% by weight of a weak acid to dissolve magnesium from said mineral and form a magnesium-containing solution; physically activating the surface of said particulate magnesium-containing mineral by fluidizing said particulate magnesium-containing mineral with grinding media, ultrasonic energy, or microwave energy to expose and dissolve additional magnesium into said solution; separating the remaining particulate from said magnesium-containing solution; mixing a gas containing carbon dioxide with said magnesium-containing solution; and increasing the pH of said magnesium-containing solution to form magnesium carbonate and to remove carbon dioxide from said carbon dioxide containing gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for mineral sequestration of captured carbon dioxide comprising,
providing particulate serpentine and grinding media to a fluidized, heated reactor; -
exposing said serpentine to an aqueous solution containing from about 0.5 to about 5.0% by weight of a weak acid and a chelating agent to dissolve magnesium from said mineral and form a magnesium-containing solution; physically activating the surface of said particulate serpentine with said grinding media in said fluidized bed to expose and dissolve additional magnesium into said solution; separating the remaining particulate from said magnesium-containing solution; increasing the pH of said magnesium-containing solution to cause formation and precipitation of iron oxides; mixing an acidic gas stream containing at least one of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide with said magnesium-containing solution; and increasing the pH of said magnesium-containing solution to form magnesium carbonate and to remove carbon dioxide and/or sulfur dioxide from said gas stream.
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21. A method for the sequestration of acid gases from flue gas comprising,
providing a particulate magnesium-containing mineral; -
exposing said magnesium-containing mineral to a weak acid to dissolve magnesium from said mineral and form a magnesium-containing solution; physically activating the surface of said particulate magnesium-containing mineral by fluidizing said particulate magnesium-containing mineral with grinding media, ultrasonic energy, or microwave energy to expose and dissolve additional magnesium into said solution; separating the remaining particulate from said magnesium-containing solution; flowing flue gas through said magnesium-containing solution to sequester carbon and sulfur-containing gases; and increasing the pH of said magnesium-containing solution to form magnesium carbonates and sulfites as precipitates.
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22. A method for mineral carbonation of carbon dioxide comprising,
providing a particulate magnesium-containing mineral; -
exposing said magnesium-containing mineral to a weak acid selected from the group consisting of orthophosphoric acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, formic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, and mixtures thereof, to dissolve magnesium from said mineral and form a magnesium-containing solution; physically activating the surface of said particulate magnesium-containing mineral by fluidizing said particulate magnesium-containing mineral with grinding media, ultrasonic energy, or microwave energy to expose and dissolve additional magnesium into said solution; separating the remaining particulate from said magnesium-containing solution; mixing a gas containing carbon dioxide with said magnesium-containing solution; and increasing the pH of said magnesium-containing solution to form magnesium carbonate and to remove carbon dioxide from said gas. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method as claimed in 22 in which said weak acid comprises a mixture of about 1.0 vol. % orthophosphoric acid and 0.9 wt % oxalic acid.
Specification