5/17/2021 Capturing carbon dioxide in water - Water Source

   

TECHNOLOGY  COMMUNITY  ENVIRONMENT  BUSINESS  Searc 

Assets & Operations

Diversity

Capturing carbon dioxide in water Partnerships

by Erin Riley — 12/05/2021 in Innovation Workplace

Olawale Oloye (left) and Anthony O'Mullane

2 min read
Scientists at the Queensland University of Technology have developed a novel approach
to carbon capture, using water and an electromagnetic process to store carbon dioxide
in carbonates, which could be used to produce building materials.

PhD researcher Olawale Oloye and Professor Anthony O’Mullane developed the process, which
captures carbon dioxide through a reaction with an alkaline solution, which is then combined to
produce carbonate products.

Perhaps the most promising application of the technology is using it to produce calcium
carbonate (CaCO3), a crucial component of the cement industry.

https://watersource.awa.asn.au/technology/innovation/capturing-carbon-dioxide-water/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AWA Source May 1… 1/6

5/17/2021 Capturing carbon dioxide in water - Water Source

“We envision this technology would benefit emission-intensive industries such as the cement
industry whose CO2 footprint is seven to 10 per cent of anthropogenic CO2 emissions due to the
initial clinking [heating] step that converts CaCO3 into CaO [lime] with the emission of large
amounts of CO2,” said O’Mullane.

“By coupling the mineralisation process to produce CaCO3 from the emitted CO2 during the
clinking step we could create a closed loop system and reduce a significant percentage of the
CO2 involved in cement production.”

To produce calcium carbonate, the process comprises dissolving carbon dioxide in water
containing calcium chloride. An electrochemical process is then applied to make the solution
very alkaline at one electrode. The calcium chloride then reacts with the solution and produces
calcium carbonate, which is a solid.

O’Mullane explained that the process also produced hydrogen, an additional benefit.

“The hydrogen evolution reaction during electrolysis ensured that the electrode was continually
renewed to keep the electrochemical reaction going while also generating another valuable
product, green hydrogen.”

Taking into account the value of potable water, the research team also established that
seawater can be used for the process, reducing the burden on local water resources.

O’Mullane said the process has a number of potential applications.

“This mineralisation approach could be used to produce other commercially important metal
carbonates such as strontium carbonate and manganese carbonate, both of which have many
industrial uses.”

The research was published in the journal ChemSusChem.

Share

Tags: Queensland Technology Hydrogen Production Queensland University of Technology

research and development Construction Hydrogen Carbon

 Share  Tweet  Share  Send  Pin  Send

Previous Post Next Post

https://watersource.awa.asn.au/technology/innovation/capturing-carbon-dioxide-water/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AWA Source May 1… 2/6

5/17/2021 Capturing carbon dioxide in water - Water Source

Guard drinking water from cyber Low-carbon future opens opportunities

threat for water sector

Related Posts

I N N O VAT I O N BUSINESS

Evaporation used for cheap, clean water Regional utility leading the way from waste
 14/05/2021 to resource
 06/05/2021

LOAD MORE

TRENDING TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Evaporation used for cheap, clean water

 14/05/2021

Capturing carbon dioxide in water

 12/05/2021

Research hub boosts NT drought readiness

 23/04/2021

https://watersource.awa.asn.au/technology/innovation/capturing-carbon-dioxide-water/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AWA Source May 1… 3/6

5/17/2021 Capturing carbon dioxide in water - Water Source

Get our newsletter

Your Name

Your Email

Your Job Title

SUBSCRIBE

https://watersource.awa.asn.au/technology/innovation/capturing-carbon-dioxide-water/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AWA Source May 1… 4/6

5/17/2021 Capturing carbon dioxide in water - Water Source

The Australian Water Association is Australia’s biggest water network driving a sustainable water future as we
share information and knowledge, connect members with industry and stakeholders, and inspire positive
change.

Water Source is the Association’s online information hub for the water sector. It features articles, technical
papers, podcasts, videos and resources on technology, the community, the environment, and business.

AWA
Membership
Events
Programs
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Water Source

OZWATER
About
Program
Exhibition
Sponsorship

H2OZ Jobs
Search jobs
Post a job
Student opportunities

Contact us

https://watersource.awa.asn.au/technology/innovation/capturing-carbon-dioxide-water/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AWA Source May 1… 5/6

5/17/2021 Capturing carbon dioxide in water - Water Source

Australian Water Association

P.O. Box 222
St Leonards NSW 1590
Phone: +61 2 9436 0055
Email: info@awa.asn.au

Legal
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Frequently asked questions
Water Source editorial guidelines

   

Get our newsletter

Your Name

Your Email

Your Job Title

SUBSCRIBE

© 2018 Water Source

https://watersource.awa.asn.au/technology/innovation/capturing-carbon-dioxide-water/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AWA Source May 1… 6/6