From all the warm greenhouse activities that are released into the atmosphere The most important gas emission– Therefore, experts suggest that in addition to reducing our fersil fuels very much, we should get rid of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. However, what is called carbon capture technology is often expensive and/or uses intense energy and is necessary to use carbon storage solutions.
Now, the researchers at Stanford University have proposed a surprising practice strategy: make the stone made for us.
They are not joking, chemists. Stanford Matthew Kanan and Yuxuan Chen have developed a process that uses heat to change the mineral into a permanent absorbing material. If there is details in the file. study Published on Wednesday in the journal natureThis process actually works and has a low cost. In addition, Kanan and Chen's very useful rocks are able to meet the needs of general agricultural practices by two stones.
“The world has the amount of incorrect minerals, which has the ability to get rid of CO2 from the atmosphere. But they do not respond fast enough to resist human greenhouse gas emissions, “Kanan, the senior author of the study. In studies in the study said that in the study said that in education statement– “Our work solved this problem that we think can be adjusted like no other.”
For decades, scientists have studied how to accelerate the natural co2 absorption of the stone, which is a process called corrosion, which may take hundreds of thousands of years. The minerals that have a slow development, called Silicates, is a mineral that has fast weather.
“We imagine a new chemical to enable silicate minerals. (Not a chemical reaction) through simple ions exchange reactions. “Chen describes the ions as an atom or an electric charge atom. “We do not expect it to work well either.”
Kanan and Chen were inspired by the production of cement at the kiln or furnace to change limestone (sedimentary stone), a chemical compound called calcium oxide which is mixed with sand. This process chemist But changed the sand into a material called magnesium silicate Magnesium silicate with two minerals that have heat exchanged ions and become magnesium oxide and calcium silicate: good weather minerals.
“The process of acting as a multiplier,” Kanan said, “you use minerals, calcium oxide reactions and magnesium silicates that are more inert or less, and you create two minerals.”
To test their results, Kanan and Chen revealed the wet and magnesium oxide to the air. They become carbonate minerals. -As a result of corrosion -Last week for months
“You can imagine the spread of magnesium oxide and calcium silicate through a large area to get rid of the CO2 from the air.” Kanan said. “One exciting application that we are currently tested is Academic soil increases. “This application can be useful for farmers who add calcium carbonate to the soil when too acidic: a solution called Liming.
“The addition of our products will help eliminate the need to limit because both mineral components are alkaline. (Basic compared to acid) “Kanan explained” In addition, as a calcium silicate, the weather will release silicon to the soil in a form that plants can use, which can improve crop products and flexibility. According to the principles, farmers will pay for these minerals because they are beneficial to the production of the farm and the health of the soil – and is a bonus.
About a ton of magnesium oxide and calcium silicate can absorb one ton co2 from the atmosphere – and the accounting assessment for the CO2 released from the kiln itself, which still requires less than other carbon capture technology.
However, adjusting this solution to a level that has an impact will require million tons of magnesium oxide and calcium silicate every year. However, Chen Jing shows that if the natural quantity of the magnesium silicate, such as olivine or snake is accurate, they are enough to get rid of carbon dioxide, the atmosphere that all and some parts In addition, the silicate can be recovered from my tail. (Dig left)
“Society has discovered how to produce several billion tons of cement per year and the cement furnace has worked for decades,” said Kanan. Found in the laboratory to the removal of carbon at a meaningful level. “