CO2 Mineral Carbonation Kinetics Calculator
Permanent Carbon Mineralization: Determine stoichiometric mineral consumption ($R_{min}$), dissolution conversion kinetics ($X_{carb}$), and thermodynamic heat release for silicate rocks.
Mineral Feedstock & Feed Rate
Reactor Operating Conditions
Mineral Carbonation Sizing Results
Recommended Tools & Equipment
Tested hardware and components for high reliability
Mineral Carbonation Chemical Reaction Kinetics
Ex-situ mineral carbonation permanently binds carbon dioxide into solid, environmentally benign mineral products for construction aggregates and mine backfill.
1. Primary Silicate Reaction Stoichiometry
Mg2SiO4 (Olivine) + 2 CO2 → 2 MgCO3 (Magnesite) + SiO2 + 89 kJ/mol CaSiO3 (Wollastonite) + CO2 → CaCO3 (Calcite) + SiO2 + 90 kJ/mol
2. Mineral Consumption Mass Ratio
R_actual = ( Mw_mineral / ( n_CO2 · Mw_CO2 ) ) / X_conversion [tonnes rock / tonne CO2] M_product = M_rock + M_CO2,sequestered
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is mineral carbonation considered the most permanent form of carbon sequestration?
Mineral carbonation mimics natural chemical silicate weathering. When gaseous or dissolved $CO_2$ reacts with calcium/magnesium-rich minerals (such as olivine or serpentine), it transforms permanently into solid crystalline carbonates (calcite $CaCO_3$ or magnesite $MgCO_3$). Because carbonates sit in the lowest thermodynamic free-energy state, there is zero risk of future gas leakage over geological millennia.
Why is the mineral carbonation reaction strongly exothermic?
The carbonation of magnesium and calcium silicates is thermodynamically favored and releases substantial heat (e.g. $\Delta H_{rxn} = -89\,\text{kJ/mol}\;CO_2$ for olivine; $-178\,\text{kJ/mol}$ for calcium oxide). In an industrial ex-situ mineral carbonation plant, this exothermic heat can be recovered via steam generators to produce electricity or district heating.
What is the primary technical bottleneck for ex-situ mineral carbonation?
Natural mineral dissolution kinetics are slow at room temperature. To achieve reaction conversion ($>80\%$) in reasonable reactor residence times ($1\sim 2\,\text{hours}$), rocks must be finely crushed ($d_{50} < 40\,\mu\text{m}$) and reacted in high-pressure autoclaves ($P_{CO2} > 30\,\text{bar}$, $T = 150^\circ\text{C}-180^\circ\text{C}$) with sodium bicarbonate/chloride catalysts, consuming comminution mechanical grinding energy.