Assessing the carbon capture capacity of South Wales' legacy iron and steel slag

The industrial revolution was responsible for releasing over 1.5 trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere resulting in a global temperature increase of similar to 1 degrees C. It also produced billions of tonnes of alkaline materials that have the potential to react with some of that CO2, and this carbon capture potential may be used to help prevent climate change. Here we assess the carbon capture potential of legacy iron (Fe) and steel wastes in South Wales, the United Kingdom, and show that between 0 and 77% of total carbonation potential has been reached in the samples (equating to maximum potential between 40 and 608 kg CO2 /t of slag has been removed from the atmosphere by direct carbonation) across 10 historic works (out of 48 that operated in the region), even after > 140 years. The current work suggests that there is a capture potential of up to 17 Mt CO2 by direct carbonation which represents a potential carbon sink for future emissions. Iron and steel slag contains Ca silicate minerals, often dominated by melilite group phases (gehlenite, Ca2Al2SiO7 and akermanite, Ca2MgSi2O7), but also includes minor phases like olivine (fayalite, (Fe,Mn)(2)SiO4 and fosterite, Mg2SiO4). The presence of mineral carbonate phases such as calcite, magnesite, ankerite, and kutnohorite in the material demonstrates carbonation reaction has occurred after slag formation. Given that there is still carbonation potential to be realised, and that materials produced in the future from the iron and steel industry could play an important role in meeting our climate targets, then new management strategies are needed to maximise the use of this resource.

Automated summary

The industrial revolution led to significant carbon dioxide emissions, but industrial waste has the potential to absorb CO2 and help combat climate change. Research in South Wales, UK, shows that iron and steel waste still has carbon capture potential, which could be instrumental in achieving climate goals in the future.