المملكة: KAUST develops innovative technology to convert carbon dioxide into underground rocks

The process of carbon mineralization is a well-known concept, but until now it has relied heavily on the availability of large amounts of water and highly reactive volcanic rocks.

Previous estimates indicated that this process may require amounts of water reaching 20-50 times the amount of carbon dioxide captured, which limits the possibility of its application outside specific geological scopes.

Pioneering field experiment

This study shows the possibility of overcoming these restrictions, as it is a pioneering field experiment led by KAUST, which included injecting 131 tons of carbon dioxide deep into the earth, where observations showed that about 70% of it had turned into solid metals within ten months. Only.

This experiment was conducted in basalt formations estimated to be between 21 and 30 million years old, which are much older than the formations used in previous experiments.

This reinforces indications that favorable carbon capture conditions may be more widespread than previously thought.

Carbon Mineralization

“It has always been Carbon mineralization has been considered one of the safest ways to sequester carbon dioxide, but its practical application has been limited due to the high demand on water resources.

The results of this study show that this approach can be applied in water-scarce environments by taking advantage of the properties of subterranean systems, rather than relying on surface resources.”

This study was led by KAUST scientists in a field trial in collaboration with Saudi Aramco, which operated the site and supported the injection operations. And monitoring.

Analysis of subterranean processes

The researchers also analyzed subterranean processes to determine how carbon dioxide turns into solid minerals underground. The study was also based on advanced international expertise in the field of carbon mineralization, including that of the University of Iceland.

Basalt formations are found in multiple regions around the world, including parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The ability to mineralize carbon dioxide in older formations using recycled water from the ground expands the application of this approach, especially in industrial areas where emissions are concentrated and water resources are limited.

In contrast to traditional carbon storage technologies that keep carbon dioxide in a compressed form underground, mineralization stabilizes it within solid rock.

This study opens up new possibilities by demonstrating that this can be achieved using recycled water from underground, which supports the application of permanent carbon storage solutions in areas that suffer from limited water resources and high industrial emissions.