Testing and Validating Instruments for Feedstocks of Mineral Carbonation

Different feedstocks Dunite, Olivine and Lizardite are examined in this research using various measuring techniques such as TGA-MS, XRD and Quantitative XRD and EDS. Quantitative XRD results matched with TGA-MS results. Malvern Mastersizer, EDS and QXRD results also showed a good match regarding the individuality of results which are shown graphically. TGA-MS calibration curves example is provided. Matching the results of different measuring techniques is a key to fundamental research. Comparison of the reactivity of dunite, soaked dunite, heat-activated dunite and lizardite and raw dunite soaked has been performed. TGA-MS and QXRD results match each other. Malvern Mastersizer, EDS and QXRD results match with their individual results indicating the instrument’s reliability. Semi-Quantitative XRD results authenticity is EXCELLENT. TGA-MS results match with QXRD is excellent. Mineral carbonation converts CO2 into stable mineral carbonates. This research explores the utilisation of serpentinised dunite (which is comprised of 61% lizardite) as a potential feedstock for mineral carbonation. Heat activation, ex-situ regrinding and concurrent grinding techniques were employed to enhance the reaction rate and yield, and to provide information on the carbonation reaction mechanism. Silica-rich layers that appeared during reference experiments were disrupted using concurrent grinding and significantly higher magnesite yields and Mg extractions were obtained.

Glycine-Induced Synthesis of Vaterite via Direct Aqueous Mineral Carbonation of Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum

Mineral carbonation of flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) can not only sequester CO2 to mitigate the greenhouse effect, but also produce CaCO3 to generate economic benefit. A mixture of calcite and vaterite CaCO3 was produced by FGDG carbonation in our previous study. Nevertheless, the production of uniform crystalline CaCO3, especially for vaterite, still maintains a big challenge via carbonation of FGDG. Herein, nearly pure vaterite was synthesized via FGDG carbonation in the presence of glycine was reported firstly. The results show that the content of vaterite increased from 60% to 97% with increasing glycine concentration and then kept a constant value, indicating that glycine can promote the formation of vaterite and inhibit the growth of calcite. Additionally, the investigation of vaterite growth mechanism in the presence of glycine demonstrated that the formation of intermediate, glycinate calcium, played an important role to stimulate the growth of vaterite. This study provides a new insight to produce a high-valued vaterite CaCO3 during the direct mineral carbonation of FGDG.

How Ph.D. Students Start a Research

In education pedagogy, its necessary to prioritize tasks and jobs. Learn operating the reactor or required apparatus but most important first. Regarding measuring techniques (PSD measurement, pH measurement, XRD, SEM/EDS), learn more basic and fundamental techniques first followed by complimentary techniques. Regarding mineral carbonation, operation of reactor is a basic need followed by particle size measurement using Malvern Mastersizer and powders samples XRD analysis and identifying the phases and verifying those phases through TGA analysis. This article illustrates author personal research of 4 initial 4 months duration. Month wise progress is presented in this article in an interesting way.