Mineral Carbonation
Calcium and magnesium recovery, carbonate precipitation and water reuse.
Mineral Carbonation converts CO₂ into solid carbonate minerals by reaction with suitable calcium- or magnesium-bearing materials. Feedstocks can include selected natural minerals and industrial residues. In aqueous processing, dissolution, impurity management, carbonation and solid–liquid separation determine how the carbon and mineral streams are handled.
Recovering useful ions and separating the carbonate product
Some routes carbonate a solid directly; others first release calcium or magnesium into solution. The diagram shows an illustrative aqueous route rather than a single standard design. Lenntech’s potential contribution lies in water conditioning, selective separation and recovery around the mineral-conversion process.
Where Lenntech technologies may fit
| Technology or task | Potential role | Design consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration and UF | Separate suspended feedstock or fine solids from selected liquid streams. | Product particle size and filterability guide separation choice. |
| NF, ED and ion exchange | Investigate fractionation, concentration or impurity removal in suitable solutions. | Selectivity and chemical compatibility need confirmation with the actual feed. |
| Precipitation | Control carbonate formation and distinguish it from unwanted upstream scaling. | Calcium and magnesium do not necessarily follow identical reaction pathways. |
| RO, reuse and BPMED | Evaluate water recovery or acid/base recovery where the salt chemistry permits. | Concentrate, energy and chemical balances determine practical suitability. |
What to evaluate during development
- Available reactive calcium/magnesium and feedstock impurities
- CO₂ source, composition and delivery conditions
- Dissolution requirements, carbonate phase and product specifications
- Solids dewatering, recycle-water quality and residual management
Developing the water and separation steps
Lenntech supports water and brine treatment development through laboratory evaluation, pilot testing and engineering support. For this application, potential treatment steps can be evaluated using representative streams and clearly defined separation objectives.
The scope described here is enabling water and process support. It does not represent a proprietary Lenntech mineral carbonation process or a guaranteed carbon-removal performance.
Stable carbonate formation can provide a durable carbon-storage pathway. Net climate benefit still depends on CO₂ origin, energy, chemicals and the complete material balance; product usability depends on its quality.
Discuss your mineral carbonation project
A process outline, available water analyses and the desired separation outcomes can help frame the discussion. Contact Lenntech to explore the water-treatment scope for your concept.
Discuss water and separation requirements