NETL’s work in developing carbon mineralization technologies, which presents an alternative pathway toward a decarbonized power sector and economy, is gaining widespread recognition from the greater research community.

Carbon management can be achieved by permanently storing captured carbon dioxide (CO₂) in natural systems, such as geologic formations. However, carbon mineralization presents a different approach in which captured CO₂ is reacted with metal cations to form carbonate minerals. This process occurs when the CO₂ is exposed to silicate minerals enriched with calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg), non-silicate mineral reactants, or enzyme catalysis with appropriate cations, such as CO₂ laden with brines.

“The Lab’s work in carbon mineralization demonstrates our commitment to exploring ways to meet our nation’s energy needs with an eye toward sustainability and environmental stewardship,” NETL Director Marianne Walck said. “By pursuing every avenue to decarbonization, we’re also making decarbonization more flexible for our partners in industry.”

Natural resources for carbon mineralization, which are highly reactive with CO₂, include natural brines and mafic/ultramafic rocks and minerals. In addition, waters produced during subsurface mineral or element extraction processes and other alkaline industrial waste products are similar in composition to ultramafic minerals (e.g., wollastonite) and would directly or indirectly react with CO₂ to yield carbon-trapping minerals or would otherwise support mineralization of CO₂. These types of carbon mineralization processes offer a means to store CO₂ in various geologic settings, including within significant basalt formations. 

The Lab’s established role as a key technical contributor in this field is evidenced by an article co-authored by NETL experts published in the journal ChemBioEng Reviews.

Recently, Wiley, publisher of ChemBioEng Reviews, notified NETL that its review article, “Mineralization of Carbon Dioxide: Literature Review” is among the most read articles (top 40 most read, recently and all-time) and the most cited articles (top 30 most recently, and all-time) from that journal. 

“This is an encouraging sign that others see the possibilities of carbon mineralization,” said NETL researcher Vyacheslav Romanov, one of the article’s co-authors. “The fact that our article stands out among ChemBioEng Reviews’ readership highlights the impact of NETL's work in the field of carbon management. It’s an exciting time to be engaged in this important work.”

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that drives innovation and delivers solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future. By leveraging its world-class talent and research facilities, NETL is ensuring affordable, abundant and reliable energy that drives a robust economy and national security, while developing technologies to manage carbon across the full life cycle, enabling environmental sustainability for all Americans.