PROGRESS ON BINDING CO2 IN MINERAL SUBSTRATES

Based on current estimates of reserves, coal could satisfy even a very much increased world energy demand for centuries, if only the emissio n of CO2 into the atmosphere could be curtailed. Here we present a met hod of CO2 disposal that is based on combining CO2 chemically with abu ndant raw materials to form stable carbonate minerals. A major advanta ge of this method is that the resulting waste product is thermodynamic ally stable and environmentally neutral. It is therefore possible to s tore large quantities permanently with minimal environmental impact an d without the danger of an accidental release of CO2 which has proven fatal in quantities far smaller than contemplated here. The raw materi als to bind CO2 exist in nature in large quantities in ultramafic rock s. They are readily accessible and far exceed what would be required t o bind all CO2 that could possibly be generated by burning the entire fossil fuel reserves. In this paper we outline a specific process that we are currently investigating. Our initial rough cost estimate of ab out 3 cent/kWh is encouraging. The availability of a CO2 fixation tech nology would serve as insurance in case global warming, or the percept ion of global warming. would cause severe restrictions on CO2 emission s. If the increased energy demand of a growing world population is to be satisfied from coal, the implementation of such a technology would be unavoidable. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.