| abstract |
There is provided a process for the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide that would otherwise enter the at-mosphere and contribute to global warming and other problems. CO2 capture is accomplished by reacting carbon dioxide in flue gas with an alkali metal carbonate, or a metal oxide, particularly containing an alkaline earth metal or iron, to form a carbonate salt. A preferred carbonate for CO2 capture is a dilute aqueous solution of additive-free (Na2CO3). Other carbonates include (K2-CO3) or other metal ion that can produce both a carbonate and a bicarbonate salt. Examples of suitable metal oxides include sev-eral alkaline earths including CaO and MgO. The captured CO2 is preferably sequestered using any available mineral or industrial waste that contains calcium magnesium or iron in non- carbonate forms, or iron in the Fe+2 oxidation state. |