Silicate Carbonation for CO2 Capture and High-Purity Silica
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved processes to capture, separate, and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to mitigate climate change, particularly from industrial sources, while also utilizing industrial waste streams as feedstock.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing silicate materials, such as those from nature or industrial waste, to capture CO2 through a multi-step process involving reaction with water vapor, carbonate solutions, and thermal decomposition, producing stable carbonates and silica, which can be used as industrial feedstocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional CO2 capture methods are used, then CO2 can be separated from the atmosphere, but the process lacks economical viability and requires improved capture, separation, and storage technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the capture medium by using alkaline earth metal silicates instead of conventional amine-based solutions. This fundamental parameter change enables CO2 capture to proceed through carbonation reactions that produce stable carbonate minerals, improving both capture effectiveness and potential economic viability through product valorization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful CO2 emission into a beneficial product by carbonating silicate materials to form stable carbonate minerals. This approach transforms the waste CO2 into valuable products such as building materials and chemical feedstocks, addressing both the capture effectiveness and economic viability challenges
2Reliability
If silicate materials are used to capture CO2, then stable carbonate and silica are produced, but the process requires multiple reaction steps including thermal decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the CO2 capture function with silica production and potential hydrogen generation in a single integrated process. By carbonating silicate materials, the process simultaneously sequesters CO2 as stable carbonate and produces valuable silica and hydrogen products, reducing overall process complexity despite multiple reaction stages
Solution Approach 2:
The silicate carbonation process serves multiple functions: CO2 capture and sequestration, silica production, potential hydrogen generation, and creation of building materials. This multi-functionality justifies the multiple reaction steps by delivering several valuable outputs from a single integrated process
3Productivity
If industrial waste streams are utilized as silicate feedstock, then valuable end products are produced from waste, but the composition and reactivity of the waste material varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes through pH control and particle size adjustment to optimize the carbonation reaction of variable composition waste streams. By controlling reaction conditions rather than requiring uniform feedstock, the process achieves consistent product quality despite variations in industrial waste composition
Solution Approach 2:
The process utilizes the inherent reactivity of industrial waste silicates to self-capture CO2 and produce valuable products. The waste material's natural chemical properties are leveraged to drive the carbonation reaction, reducing the need for extensive preprocessing and quality control measures
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 process effectively sequesters CO2 in stable carbonate form and produces high-purity silica from industrial waste, reducing atmospheric CO2 and generating valuable industrial products without greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a silicate feedstock... is reacted with water vapor at an elevated temperature to generate a hydrogen gas product
Implementation Method 2
a silicate precursor is reacted with a carbonate or bicarbonate solution at an alkaline pH value to form stable non-soluble carbonate precipitate
Implementation Method 3
the soluble silicate product from the second step is reacted with gaseous carbon dioxide... to form a soluble carbonate or bicarbonate and silicic acid
Implementation Method 4
the silicic acid can be thermally decomposed to silica and water vapor
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods of using silicate materials, including silicate materials obtained from nature, synthesized, and/or obtained from industrial waste streams, to capture and store carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, the methods can also be used to form silica (e.g., high purity silica). In some embodiments, the methods can also be used to produce hydrogen.