Magnesium Silicate Processing for Hydroxide-Based CO2 Sequestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods of processing magnesium silicate are inefficient in terms of cost, raw material availability, transportation costs, and carbon footprint, and lack effective by-products for carbon sequestration and alternative cement production.
Innovation Solution
A method involving acid digestion, base wash, and electrolysis of magnesium silicate to produce magnesium hydroxide, which is then reacted with CO2 for carbon sequestration, and silica is recovered for use as a Supplementary Cementing Material (SCM) or mixed with cementitious compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional magnesium silicate processing methods are used, then production cost and transportation cost are reduced, but carbon footprint increases and by-products for carbon sequestration are not produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the processing method by using acid digestion followed by base wash to adjust pH, transforming the reaction conditions to produce magnesium hydroxide with high purity while enabling carbon sequestration applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful carbon dioxide emissions into a beneficial process by using magnesium hydroxide produced from magnesium silicate as a carbon sequestration agent, thereby transforming carbon footprint from a harm into a solution
2Object-generated harmful factors
If magnesium silicate is processed to produce magnesium hydroxide, then carbon sequestration capability is improved, but processing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing into distinct stages: acid digestion, base wash, and filtration, allowing each step to be optimized independently while maintaining overall process efficiency and enabling carbon sequestration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional process that simultaneously produces magnesium hydroxide for carbon sequestration, generates silica as a by-product for cement applications, and reduces carbon footprint, making the processing system universally beneficial
3Loss of substance
If magnesium silicate processing produces by-products, then resource utilization is improved, but manufacturing precision and quality consistency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the by-products (silica and magnesium hydroxide) through filtration and pH adjustment, allowing each product to be recovered in high purity and consistent quality while maximizing raw material utilization
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 is cost-effective, reduces carbon emissions, provides abundant raw materials, and produces high-quality by-products for cement and carbon sequestration, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the selected magnesium silicate to acid digestion, to produce a digested solution
Implementation Method 2
completing a base wash by increasing the digested solution pH to produce a magnesium salt solution
Implementation Method 3
subjecting the magnesium salt solution to electrolysis; and recovering magnesium hydroxide produced from electrolysis
Implementation Method 4
reacting the recovered magnesium hydroxide with carbon dioxide to sequester the carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of processing magnesium silicate materials are described to produce a number of products including magnesium hydroxide. Related methods of use of processed magnesium silicate and other reaction products are described for energy production, cement manufacture and carbon sequestration. In one embodiment the method comprises subjecting a magnesium silicate source to an acid digestion; increasing the digested liquid pH to produce a magnesium salt solution; subjecting the magnesium salt solution to electrolysis; and recovering magnesium hydroxide produced from electrolysis. By-products such as silica, iron oxy(oxides) and others are also described along with further reaction products such as magnesium oxide and magnesium carbonate.