Mineral carbonation process for CO2 sequestration

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Analysis of the effect of temperature, pH, CO2 pressure and salinity on the olivine dissolution kinetics

AbstractThe dissolution kinetics of olivine has been extensively studied under several temperatures, CO2 pressures, and solution compositions. Dissolution is an important mechanism in the aqueous mineral carbonation process. The overall carbonation reaction consists of dissolution of mineral silicate, e.g. olivine, serpentine and wollastonite, followed by carbonate precipitation, thus fixing CO2 into naturally occurring stable solids, such as magnesite and calcite. The slowness of the dissolution kinetics hinders the overall carbonation reaction and in order to make the process technically and economically feasible, such a reaction should be sped up by finding the optimum operating conditions. Experiments were performed in a flow-through reactor at 90–120–150 ∘C. The pH was adjusted by adding either acids (e.g., HCl, citric acid) or LiOH, and by changing PCO2. The salinity was changed by adding NaCl and NaNO3. From the experimental data, the dissolution rate was estimated by using the population balance equation (PBE) model coupled with a mass balance, and the obtained values were regressed with a linear model log(r)=−npH−B, where r is the specific dissolution rate (mol s−1 cm−2)

Untangling the importance of dynamic and thermodynamic drivers for wet and dry spells across the Tropical Andes

Andean vegetation and agriculture depend on the patterns of rainfall during the South American monsoon. However, our understanding on the importance of dynamic (upper-level wind circulation) as compared to thermodynamic (Amazon basin moisture) drivers for Andes rainfall remains limited. This study examines the effect of these drivers on 3–7 day wet and dry spells across the Tropical Andes and assesses resulting impacts on vegetation. Using reanalysis and remote sensing data from 1985–2018, we find that both dynamic and thermodynamic drivers play a role in determining the rainfall patterns. Notably, we show that the upper-level wind is an important driver of rainfall across the entire Tropical Andes mountain range, but not in the Amazon lowlands, suggesting a crucial role of topography in this relationship. From thermodynamic perspective, we find wet spell conditions to be associated with increased moisture along the Andes’ eastern foothills accompanied by a strengthened South American low-level jet, with moisture lifted into the Andes via topography and convection for all considered regions. Our results suggest that while changes in Amazon basin moisture dominate rainfall changes on daily time scales associated with three day spells, upper-level dynamics play a more important role on the synoptic time scale of 5–7 day spells. Considering impacts on the ground, we find that only 5–7 day spells in the semi-arid Andes have a prolonged effect on vegetation. Our study emphasizes the need to consider both dynamic and thermodynamic drivers when estimating rainfall changes in the Tropical Andes, including in the context of future climate projections