Lime-Based Soil Carbonation for Reliable CO2 Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in construction applications, particularly those involving cement, have limited success in capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, with a majority of introduced carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere, and are not economically sustainable.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of lime and carbon dioxide to soil columns to enhance carbon dioxide uptake through pozzolanic reactions, using lime to react with clay minerals and form cementitious products, and optionally incorporating binders like cement and supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) to strengthen the soil and trap carbon dioxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If current methods introduce recycled carbon dioxide into fresh concrete or blend calcium oxide and carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide uptake is increased, but the majority of carbon dioxide is still released to the atmosphere and economic sustainability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing lime with soil and binders before carbon dioxide injection, creating a reactive matrix that ensures complete carbonation. This preliminary preparation of the soil-lime-binder mixture ensures that when CO2 is introduced, it is immediately and fully reacted, preventing release back to the atmosphere and achieving reliable long-term sequestration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining lime, soil, and binders (such as cement or supplementary cementitious materials) to create a composite soil-lime-binder matrix. This composite structure enhances carbon dioxide capture through multiple reactive components working together, improving both the quantity of CO2 uptake and the reliability of sequestration while maintaining economic feasibility.
2Strength
If lime and carbon dioxide are added to soil columns, then carbon dioxide uptake and soil strength are increased, but the process complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated process: the soil-lime-binder composite simultaneously achieves carbon dioxide sequestration and soil strengthening. By combining these functions in one treatment approach rather than separate processes, the patent reduces overall process complexity and implementation cost while maintaining improved soil strength and CO2 uptake.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional soil treatment system where the lime-soil-binder composite serves multiple purposes: carbonation for CO2 storage, soil stabilization for strength improvement, and potential construction material enhancement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate treatments, simplifying the overall process and reducing implementation complexity.
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
The method increases carbon dioxide uptake and soil strength by up to 20%, providing a more sustainable solution for carbon dioxide storage and sequestration while maintaining or improving construction material properties.
Implementation Method 1
storing and mineralizing carbon dioxide with lime
Implementation Method 2
combining lime and carbon dioxide in soil columns for storing and mineralizing the carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
enhance carbon dioxide uptake through pozzolanic reactions, using lime to react with clay minerals and form cementitious products
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and compositions for storing carbon dioxide in soil are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the composition comprises at least 35% of cement by weight of the composition; 1-15% of lime by weight of the composition; at least 5% of a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) by weight of the composition; and carbon dioxide, wherein a weight by composition of the carbon dioxide is less than 5%. The composition can further comprise at least 35% of calcium carbonate by weight of the composition.