The desalination process of seawater is an important technology related to water security for a country. However, this technology raises two environmentally crucial issues: CO2 emission due to high levels of energy consumption and the discharge of rejected brine. It is widely known that CO2 raises global temperatures, and brine imposes a detrimental effect on marine life. KIGAM, with expertise in CO2 mineralization, is devoted to mitigating both environmental issues at the same time.
Appreciably, 15% CO2 (the composition of which is analogous to combustion gas) was converted to carbonate minerals, and the salinity of brine was lessened to the seawater level.
This research will contribute to the establishment of an eco-friendly seawater desalination process by reducing CO2 emissions and the salinity of brine as well. In addition, the recovery of marine resources such as minerals and electricity will also be included in our integrated research.
| Conversion ratio (%) | Reduced amount(%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ca | Ma | CO2 | Na |
| 98.5 | 69.8 | 71.8 | 40 |
Table 1. Conversion ratio of Ca, Ma, and CO2 and reductions in Na during the CO2 mineralization process
