Development of the process to produce insoluble carbonate

JGC HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Outline

JGC CORPORATION, the engineering business company of the JGC Group,is focusing mineral carbonation as a process that achieve carbon dioxide utilization and storage, and we have launched a CCSU (Carbon dioxide Capture & Storage with Utilization) study group with Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Ube Kosan Co., Ltd. to develop the technology. In this study group, we are developing the process to produce insoluble carbonate from carbon dioxide and calcium ions or magnesium ions extracted from solid waste containing calcium and magnesium such as waste concrete. In addition, we plan to organize the system to utilize carbonate as a filler of plastic or carpet or and an aggregate of concrete. JGC Group challenge to implement CO2 fixation in society through development and demonstration of this technology.

Description

We are aiming to contribute to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions through the development and social implementation of a mineral carbonation technology to sequester carbon dioxide by producing carbonates (calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate) from carbon dioxide and calcium ions and magnesium ions extracted from waste which contains calcium and magnesium. At present, CCS is a technology that can sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide, but CCS is just a cost and does not produce value. On the other hand, the technology produces valuable carbonates and requires low energy consumption for carbon dioxide conversion because it is spontaneous reaction. Therefore, we expect that the technology can reduce the cost for carbon dioxide sequestration at least lower than the CCS cost. Furthermore, we think there is a possibility that our technology can generate profits while sequestering carbon dioxide by producing high value-added carbonates. This technology can be applied to high-concentration carbon dioxide emitted from IGCC or chemical plants and low-concentration carbon dioxide emitted from thermal power plants, etc., and can be expected to be applied to various carbon dioxide emission sources including such plants. We will continue to develop the technology and aim to implement it in society from around 2030.

Technical challenges are efficient extraction of calcium and magnesium from waste, further energy savings in the process, and scale-up of the process, etc. In addition to the technical challenges, it is necessary to develop an efficient waste collection system and to develop applications for products and residues.

To overcome the challenges, we have launched a CCSU (Carbon dioxide Capture & Storage with Utilization) study group with Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Ube Kosan Co., Ltd. and universities who are developing the technology, and we are working on technology development. In the study group, we are playing a role as an engineering company, such as process construction and overall optimization.

When waste concrete and fly ash etc. including calcium is used as a raw material for the technology, we are expecting that there is a potential to sequester about 10 million tons of carbon dioxide.