Iron’s Effect on Carbonation Rates

Source:  Dan Hawkes

Fig. 1. Schematic illustration of the experimental setup used in this study for the open-system/mixed-flow reactor experiments.

In a recent paper, ESD’s Giuseppe Saldi, Damien Daval, and Kevin
Knauss studied the effect of Fe on the measured rates of carbonation for
the mineral olivine, and its role in the formation of Si-rich surface
layers. From a series of batch and flow-through reactor experiments in
pure water, they found that, under reducing conditions, olivine
carbonation rates can be significantly increased by higher extents of
dissolution and by the formation of ferroan magnesites (Mg,Fe)CO₃, which
nucleate faster than the pure Mg end-member. This work suggests new
reference criteria for assessing the sequestration potential of CO₂
repositories and the optimization of the mineral carbonation process in
mafic and ultramafic rocks. 

To read further, go to: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016703713002640 

Citation: Saldi, G.D., D. Daval, G. Morvan, and K.G. Knauss (2013),
The role of Fe and redox conditions in olivine carbonations rates: An
experimental study of the rate limiting reactions at 90 and 150 °C in
open and closed systems. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 118, 157-183.

Funding: BES