CO2 Mineralization in Alkaline Water for Stable Carbonate Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial sources are inefficient, costly, and environmentally hazardous, with limited capacity and duration, and often result in significant CO2 emissions and pollution.
Innovation Solution
The method involves precipitating a storage stable carbon dioxide sequestering product from alkaline-earth-metal-containing water, which can be used as a building material or disposed of, utilizing chemical reactions to convert CO2 into stable carbonate compounds that can be stored for extended periods without significant degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CO2 is stored in geological formations or injected into deep-ocean, then CO2 sequestration capacity is achieved, but environmental hazards and limited duration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts CO2, a harmful greenhouse gas, into beneficial construction materials such as limestone, marble, and cement through mineralization processes. The CO2 is transformed from a pollutant into a valuable resource for building materials, eliminating environmental hazards while achieving sequestration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of CO2 by converting it from gaseous form to solid mineral forms through controlled mineralization reactions. This parameter change enables long-term stable storage and eliminates the environmental hazards associated with geological injection methods.
2Quantity of substance
If CO2 is stored in geological formations, then storage capacity is achieved, but storage duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By converting CO2 into stable mineral forms that are integral to construction materials, the patent achieves permanent storage. The mineralized CO2 becomes part of the building material structure, ensuring long-term stability and eliminating duration limitations.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional CO2 separation methods are used, then CO2 removal is achieved, but cost and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates separation costs by directly mineralizing CO2 into valuable construction materials. Instead of separating CO2 for disposal, the process converts it into marketable products, turning a cost center into a revenue generator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from physical separation to chemical transformation, converting CO2 directly into solid minerals through mineralization reactions. This parameter change eliminates the need for energy-intensive separation processes and reduces overall costs.
4Quantity of substance
If CO2 is converted into stable carbonate forms, then atmospheric CO2 concentration is reduced, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges CO2 mineralization with construction material production into a single integrated process. The mineralization reaction and material fabrication are combined, eliminating additional processing steps while achieving CO2 concentration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional process that simultaneously achieves CO2 sequestration, construction material production, and waste reduction. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate processing steps for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces atmospheric CO2 concentrations by converting CO2 into stable carbonate forms that can be stored for long durations, achieving a negative carbon footprint and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing chemical reactions to convert CO2 into stable carbonate compounds
Implementation Method 2
precipitating a storage stable carbon dioxide sequestering product from an alkaline-earth-metal-containing water
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) are provided. Aspects of the methods include precipitating a storage stable carbon dioxide sequestering product from an alkaline-earth-metal-containing water and then disposing of the product, e.g., by placing the product in a disposal location or using the product as a component of a manufactured composition. Also provided are systems for practicing methods of the invention.