CO2 capture and storage
The research activities presented here are focused on technologies for CO2 capture and storage (or CO2 sequestration).
Long-term storage of carbon dioxide will become a necessary part of controlling the emissions of greenhouse gases also in Finland. Lacking the presence of geological formations or deep ocean regions suitable for CO2 storage, our research focuses on large-scale application of mineral carbonation for long-term storage of CO2. This implies forming magnesium- and calcium carbonates from minerals and industrial byproducts, as a means to reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion. The main issues of the research are:
* Improving the kinetics of the carbonation reaction
* Energy-efficient large-scale processing and integration with other processes
* Utilisation of the products and byproducts from the carbonation process
* Integration of Finnish problems and solutions with the Nordic situation
* Investigating the possibility to produce precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) from carbonate-free slag products, such as steelmaking slags.
Another focus point of our CO2 capture and storage related research is oxy-fuel combustion concepts, which allow for easy removal of CO2 from flue gases.