Researchers at Chung-Ang University in South Korea are studying carbon capture and utilization processes using waste or rich natural resources as feedstock. This ensures the economic viability of the technology.
In the new study, a team led by Professor Sungho Yoon and Associate Professor Chul-Jin Lee explored the use of industrial carbon dioxide and dolomite to produce two commercially viable products: calcium formate and magnesium oxide.
The study, “Dynamic conversion of magnesium and calcium ions from dolomite into useful value-added products using carbon dioxide,” was published in the Journal of Chemical Engineering.
Climate change is a serious issue that needs to be given priority attention. As a result, countries around the world are developing policies to reduce its impact.
For example, the European Union proposes a comprehensive set of guidelines to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The European Green Deal also emphasizes the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
As a result, scientists are exploring carbon capture and utilization technologies as promising ways to increase CO2 storage and conversion at low cost.
However, global research on carbon capture and utilization is limited to approximately 20 conversion compounds.
Given the diversity of CO2 emission sources, having a wider range of compounds is critical.
This indicates the importance of an in-depth study of the conversion processes of low-concentration carbon dioxide.
In the new study, the team used a catalyst (Ru/bpyTN-30-CTF) to add hydrogen to carbon dioxide. The result was two value-added products: calcium formate and magnesium oxide.
Calcium formate is used as a cement additive, deicer, and animal feed additive, as well as other uses such as leather tanning.
The process the team developed is not only feasible, but also incredibly fast, producing the product in just five minutes at room temperature.
Among other things, the researchers estimate that this process could reduce global warming potential by 20% compared to traditional methods of producing calcium formate.
“There is growing interest in using carbon dioxide to produce valuable products that can help mitigate the effects of climate change while generating economic benefits.
Professor Yoon said: “By combining carbon dioxide hydrogenation reactions and cation exchange reactions, a process has been developed to simultaneously purify metal oxides and produce valuable formate.”
The researchers assessed whether their method could replace current production methods. To do this, they studied the environmental impact and economic viability of sustainable CO2 conversion methods.
“Based on the results, we can say that our method is an environmentally friendly alternative to carbon dioxide conversion that can replace traditional methods and help reduce industrial carbon dioxide emissions,” explained Professor Yin.
While the prospects for converting carbon dioxide into products sustainably are promising, these processes are not always easy to scale.
Most CCU technologies have not yet been commercialized because their economic feasibility is low compared to traditional commercial processes.
”We need to combine the CCU process with waste recycling to make it environmentally and economically beneficial. This can help achieve net-zero emissions targets in the future,” Dr Lee concluded.
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