Field Application of Accelerated Mineral Carbonation

Globally, coal-fired power plants are the largest industrial source of carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 emissions from flue gas have potential for direct mineralization with electrostatic precipitator fly ash particles in the field. Demonstration scale accelerated mineral carbonation (AMC) studies were conducted at the Jim Bridger Power Plant, a large coal fired power plant located in Wyoming, USA. AMC produces kinetically rapid conditions for increased rates of mineralization of CO2, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and mercury (Hg) on fly ash particles. Control and AMC reacted fly ash particles were investigated for: change in carbon (expressed as CaCO3), sulfur (expressed as SO42-), and mercury (Hg) contents; topology and surface chemical composition by scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis; chemical distribution of trace elements; and aqueous mineral solubility by the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure. Results of the AMC process show an increase in C, S, and Hg on AMC fly ash particles suggesting that multiple pollutants from flue gas can be removed through this direct mineral carbonation process. Results also suggest that the AMC process shifts soluble trace elements in fly ash to less leachable mineral fractions. The results of this study can provide insight into potential successful field implementation of AMC.