Enhanced Weathering of Omani peridotite as an approach for Carbon Dioxide Sequestration

المشروع: Other project

تفاصيل المشروع

Description

Artificially accelerated weathering of the mineral olivine, occurring largely in ultramafic rocks, may increasingly remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. In this research, we propose a method to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations by enhanced natural weathering of Omani ultramafic rocks (peridotite) by spreading ground, sand and clay-grade peridotite along large portions of the land, farms, and coastlines of Oman.The concept of this study by means of olivine in peridotite involves the acceleration of its natural weathering process. Using experimental and model calculations, we want to examine whether the artificial acceleration of these natural weathering processes might, in fact, represent an effective means of CO2 absorption from the atmosphere. The feasibility of natural weathering of olivine in peridotite depends on factors such as the rate of olivine dissolution, Ph, Eh, temperature and the sequestration capacity of the dominant reaction, and process efficiency including mining, crushing, grinding, and transportation. The greater the reaction area of a mineral (e.g. its surface), the faster it can dissolve. Grinding peridotite enlarges the reaction area with water and thus increases the potential for the dissolution of as much olivine in the rock as possible in the shortest time possible. In this way, optimal conditions will be created for accelerated weathering of peridotite and at the same time CO2 removal from the atmosphere. Modelling indicates that dissolution of about one ton of olivine in peridotite is necessary for every ton of CO2 that could be absorbed from the atmosphere. The suggested method could make a contribution to stabilisation and reduction of the atmospheric CO2 concentration in connection with other methods. Large amounts of peridotite would have to be extracted, transported and ground for the large-scale application of the method worldwide. The development of this technology will give Oman a leadership in the first large-scale application of CO2 mineralization techniques. At some time in the future, the production of oil and natural gas will come to an end, and Oman is, therefore, looking for alternatives to diversify its industrial base. The largest, but as yet barely touched natural commodity is olivine, as Oman?s major mountain chain is the world?s largest ophiolite complex.

Layman's description

Artificially accelerated weathering of the mineral olivine, occurring largely in ultramafic rocks, may increasingly remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. In this research, we propose a method to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations by enhanced natural weathering of Omani ultramafic rocks (peridotite) by spreading ground, sand and clay-grade peridotite along large portions of the land, farms, and coastlines of Oman.The concept of this study by means of olivine in peridotite involves the acceleration of its natural weathering process. Using experimental and model calculations, we want to examine whether the artificial acceleration of these natural weathering processes might, in fact, represent an effective means of CO2 absorption from the atmosphere. The feasibility of natural weathering of olivine in peridotite depends on factors such as the rate of olivine dissolution, Ph, Eh, temperature and the sequestration capacity of the dominant reaction, and process efficiency including mining, crushing, grinding, and transportation. The greater the reaction area of a mineral (e.g. its surface), the faster it can dissolve. Grinding peridotite enlarges the reaction area with water and thus increases the potential for the dissolution of as much olivine in the rock as possible in the shortest time possible. In this way, optimal conditions will be created for accelerated weathering of peridotite and at the same time CO2 removal from the atmosphere. Modelling indicates that dissolution of about one ton of olivine in peridotite is necessary for every ton of CO2 that could be absorbed from the atmosphere. The suggested method could make a contribution to stabilisation and reduction of the atmospheric CO2 concentration in connection with other methods. Large amounts of peridotite would have to be extracted, transported and ground for the large-scale application of the method worldwide. The development of this technology will give Oman a leadership in the first large-scale application of CO2 mineralization techniques. At some time in the future, the production of oil and natural gas will come to an end, and Oman is, therefore, looking for alternatives to diversify its industrial base. The largest, but as yet barely touched natural commodity is olivine, as Oman?s major mountain chain is the world?s largest ophiolite complex.
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