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Ambient weathering of magnesium oxide for CO2 removal from air

Author

Listed:
  • Noah McQueen

    (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

  • Peter Kelemen

    (Columbia University)

  • Greg Dipple

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Phil Renforth

    (Heriot-Watt University)

  • Jennifer Wilcox

    (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

Abstract

To avoid dangerous climate change, new technologies must remove billions of tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year by mid-century. Here we detail a land-based enhanced weathering cycle utilizing magnesite (MgCO3) feedstock to repeatedly capture CO2 from the atmosphere. In this process, MgCO3 is calcined, producing caustic magnesia (MgO) and high-purity CO2. This MgO is spread over land to carbonate for a year by reacting with atmospheric CO2. The carbonate minerals are then recollected and re-calcined. The reproduced MgO is spread over land to carbonate again. We show this process could cost approximately $46–159 tCO2−1 net removed from the atmosphere, considering grid and solar electricity without post-processing costs. This technology may achieve lower costs than projections for more extensively engineered Direct Air Capture methods. It has the scalable potential to remove at least 2–3 GtCO2 year−1, and may make a meaningful contribution to mitigating climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Noah McQueen & Peter Kelemen & Greg Dipple & Phil Renforth & Jennifer Wilcox, 2020. "Ambient weathering of magnesium oxide for CO2 removal from air," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-16510-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16510-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Chen & Zhang, Xinqi & Su, Tingyu & Zhang, Yiheng & Wang, Liwei & Zhu, Xuancan, 2023. "Modification schemes of efficient sorbents for trace CO2 capture," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    2. Jia-Huan Du & Lu Chen & Bing Zhang & Kuizhi Chen & Meng Wang & Yang Wang & Ivan Hung & Zhehong Gan & Xin-Ping Wu & Xue-Qing Gong & Luming Peng, 2022. "Identification of CO2 adsorption sites on MgO nanosheets by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-6, December.
    3. Anita Punia, 2021. "Carbon dioxide sequestration by mines: implications for climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 1-17, March.
    4. Ortiz, C. & García-Luna, S. & Carro, A. & Chacartegui, R. & Pérez-Maqueda, L., 2023. "Negative emissions power plant based on flexible calcium-looping process integrated with renewables and methane production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).

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