greensols permanent co2 fixation technologies members as at feb 07: greensols pty. ltd. (prof....

11

Greensolspermanent CO2 fixation technologieswww.gaiaengineering.com

Members as at Feb 07:

Greensols Pty. Ltd. (Prof. Chris Cuff) www.greensols.com.au

TecEco Pty. Ltd. (John Harrison) www.tececo.com

The name Gaia Engineering is a tribute to James Lovelock who got us all thinking that “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." (Einstein)

22


Even if the annual flow of emissions was frozen today, the level of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere would still reach double its pre-industrial levels by 2050. In fact, emissions are increasing rapidly and the level of 550ppm could be reached as early as 2035.

Stern review Executive Summary Page 3 para 6

Our view is that this is a crisis and it is time we stopped stuffing around and went for the solution that can solve the problem quickly, economically and without huge suffering and losses.

Gaia Engineering is that solution

33


Gaia Engineering Presentation RoadmapGaia Engineering Presentation Roadmap

The Global Sustainability AllianceThe Global Sustainability Alliance BackgroundBackground Materials through the Techno-ProcessMaterials through the Techno-Process

• The supply and waste chains and in useThe supply and waste chains and in use EconomicsEconomics Biomimicry/GeomimicryBiomimicry/Geomimicry Gaia EngineeringGaia Engineering

• IntroductionIntroduction• Components of Gaia EngineeringComponents of Gaia Engineering• Outcomes of Gaia EngineeringOutcomes of Gaia Engineering

44


Global Sustainability AllianceGlobal Sustainability Alliance Our mission is to develop Gaia Engineering Our mission is to develop Gaia Engineering

that substantially reverses damaging that substantially reverses damaging molecular flows that are a consequence of molecular flows that are a consequence of materials flows on the planetmaterials flows on the planet

As the built environment is man made and As the built environment is man made and involves large flows it is the obvious place to involves large flows it is the obvious place to permanently fix COpermanently fix CO22 and other wastes and other wastes

Gaia engineering is potentially profitable as it Gaia engineering is potentially profitable as it results in the production of valuable results in the production of valuable commodities including fresh water and commodities including fresh water and building materialsbuilding materials

55


Demographic ExplosionDemographic Explosion

Developed Countries

Undeveloped Countries

Global population, consumption per capita and our footprint on the planet are exploding.

?

?

A Planet in Crisis

66


Ecological FootprintEcological FootprintExceeds CapacityExceeds Capacity

Our footprint is exceeding the capacity of the planet to support it. We are not longer sustainable and the environment is no longer sustainable – we must change our ways to survive

Source: WWF State of the Planet, 2005

77


EnergyEnergy

Peak Oil Production (Campell 2004)Most models of oil reserves, production and consumption show peak oil around 2010 (Campbell 2005) and serious undersupply and rapidly escalating prices by 2025. It follows that there will be economic mayhem unless the we act now to reduce and change the energy base of our economies.

88


The Carbon Cycle and EmissionsThe Carbon Cycle and Emissions

After: David Schimel and Lisa Dilling, National Centre for Atmospheric Research 2003

Emissions from fossil fuels and cement production are a significant cause of the global warming.

Units: GtC GtC/yr

4.5 billion years of geological sequestration have resulted in 7% of the crust being carbonate

We need to increase the sedimentary carbon sink

99


Global WarmingGlobal WarmingRises in the levels of greenhouse gases

Are causing a rapid rise in temperature

1010


COCO22 and Temperature and Temperature

The correlation between temperature The correlation between temperature and COand CO22 in the atmosphere over the in the atmosphere over the last 450,000 years is very goodlast 450,000 years is very good

Should we continue to live in denial?

Hansen, J et. al. Climate Change and Trace Gases

1111


Fresh WaterFresh Water A finite resourceA finite resource

• Population risingPopulation rising• Per capita use risingPer capita use rising

Water-stressWater-stress• 1/3 world's population1/3 world's population• By 2025, 2/3 due to global warming.By 2025, 2/3 due to global warming.• 1 person in 5 do not have access to safe 1 person in 5 do not have access to safe

drinking waterdrinking water Yet water is the most common substance Yet water is the most common substance

on the planet.on the planet.

1212


Waste & PollutionWaste & Pollution Ill health. Contamination of

global commons with dangerous molecules.

Increased traffic, noise, odours, smoke, dust, litter and pests.

There are various estimates, but we produce about 5-600 million tonnes of waste each year.

Tec and Eco-Cements use waste.

1313


Global Sustainability Global Sustainability Alliance Partners are in Alliance Partners are in the BIGGEST Business the BIGGEST Business on the Planet – on the Planet – Economic Solutions to Economic Solutions to our Energy, Global our Energy, Global Warming, Water and Warming, Water and Waste Problems.Waste Problems.

One Planet, Many People, Many One Planet, Many People, Many Interconnected ProblemsInterconnected Problems

1414


The Techno-ProcessThe Techno-ProcessUnderlying the techno-process that describes and controls the flow of matter and energy through the supply and waste chains are molecular stocks and flows. If out of synch with nature these moleconomic flows have detrimental affects on earth systems.

To reduce the impact on earth systems new technical paradigms need to be invented and cultural changes evolve that result in materials flows with underlying molecular flows that mimic or at least do not interfere with natural flows and that support rather than detrimentally impact on earth systems.

Detrimental affects on earth systems

Move 500-600 billion

tonnes

Use some 50 billion

tonnes

Take

Waste

Materials

Materials

1515


Earth Systems ScienceEarth Systems Science

Courtesy NASA

Earth system science treats the entire Earth as a system in its own right, which evolves as a result of positive and negative feedback between constituent systems (Wiki)

1616


The Earth SystemThe Earth System

Anthropo-

sphere

The earth system consists of positive and negative feedback loops.

Small changes caused by man such as CO2 and other climate forcing as well as pollution impact right across all interconnected systems throughout the global commons

1717


How Flows in the Techno-Process How Flows in the Techno-Process Effect Earth SystemsEffect Earth Systems

Take → Manipulate → Make → Use → Waste [ ←Materials→ ][ ←Materials→ ]

[ ← Underlying molecular flow → ][ ← Underlying molecular flow → ]

TThese underlying molecular flows are damaging the hese underlying molecular flows are damaging the environment e.g. environment e.g. heavy metals, cfc’s, c=halogen compounds and heavy metals, cfc’s, c=halogen compounds and

COCO22

Moleconomics

Is the study of the form of atoms in molecules, their flow, interactions, balances, stocks and positions. What we take from the environment around us, how we manipulate and make materials out of what we take and what we waste result in underlying molecular flows that affect earth systems. These flows should mimic or minimally interfere with natural flows.

1818


Detrimental Impacts of the Techno-ProcessDetrimental Impacts of the Techno-Process

Take manipulate and make impacts

End of lifecycle impacts

Greater Utility Less Utility

Materials are everything between the take and waste and affect earth system flows.

There is no such place as “away”

Detrimental Linkages that affect earth

system flows

Materials are in the

Techno-Sphere Utility

zone

1919


Materials – Important for SustainabilityMaterials – Important for Sustainability

The choice of materials controls underlying molecular flows, (the study of moleconomics) Affected are emissions, lifetime and embodied energies, physical properties such as specific heat and conductance, use of recycled wastes, durability, recyclability and the properties of wastes returned to the biosphere and geosphere

Biosphere - Geosphere Anthroposphere Materials are the link

between the biosphere and anthroposphere and the key to sustainability. They are everything between and define the take and waste.

2020


Recycle

Re-use

Take only renewables

Waste only what is biodegradable or can be re-assimilated

Manipulate Make Use

Reduce

Changing the Techno-ProcessChanging the Techno-Process

ReduceRe-useRecycle

Materials

Take => manipulate => make => use => waste

Atoms and Molecules in the global commons

Driven by fossil fuel energy with detrimental moleconomic effects.

2121


Economically Driven SustainabilityEconomically Driven Sustainability

New, more profitable technical paradigms are required that result in more sustainable and usually more efficient moleconomic flows that mimic natural flows or better, reverse our damaging flows.$ - ECONOMICS - $

Change is only possible economically. It will not happen because it is necessary or right.

2222


Changing the Technology ParadigmChanging the Technology Paradigm

“By enabling us to make productive use of particular raw materials, technology determines what constitutes a physical resource1”

1.Pilzer, Paul Zane, Unlimited Wealth, The Theory and Practice of Economic Alchemy, Crown Publishers Inc. New York.1990

It is not so much a matter of “dematerialisation” as a question of changing the underlying moleconomic flows. We need materials that require less energy to make them, do not pollute the environment with CO2 and other releases, last much longer and that contribute properties that reduce lifetime energies. The key is to change the technology paradigms

2323


Cultural ChangeCultural Change Al Gore (SOS)Al Gore (SOS) CSIRO reportsCSIRO reports STERN ReportSTERN Report Lots of TalkfestLots of Talkfest IPCC ReportIPCC Report Branson PrizeBranson Prize Live Earth Live Earth

(07/07/07)(07/07/07)The media have a growing role

2424


Sustainability is Where Sustainability is Where CultureCulture and and TechnologyTechnology Meet MeetIncrease in demand/price ratio for greater sustainability due to cultural change.

#

$

Demand

Supply

Increase in supply/price ratio for more sustainable products due to technical innovation.

Equilibrium

ShiftECONOMICSGreater Value/for impact (Sustainability) and economic growth

A measure of the degree of sustainability of an industrial ecology is where the demand for more sustainable technologies is met by their supply.

We must rapidly move both the supply and demand curves for sustainability

Economics Economics

2525


Learning from Nature (Biomimicry)Learning from Nature (Biomimicry) Nature is the most frugal economist of all. Nature is the most frugal economist of all.

• The waste from one plant or animal is the food or home The waste from one plant or animal is the food or home for another.for another.

• In nature photosynthesis balances respiration and In nature photosynthesis balances respiration and recycling is the normrecycling is the norm

By studying nature “we learn who we are, what we By studying nature “we learn who we are, what we are and how we are to be.” (Wright, F.L. 1957:269)are and how we are to be.” (Wright, F.L. 1957:269)

There is a strong need for similar efficiency and There is a strong need for similar efficiency and balance in our techno-processbalance in our techno-process

By learning from Nature we can all live together

2626


BiomimicryBiomimicry The term The term biomimicrybiomimicry was popularised by the book was popularised by the book

of the same name written by Janine Benyusof the same name written by Janine Benyus BiomimicryBiomimicry is a method of solving problems that is a method of solving problems that

uses natural processes and systems as a source of uses natural processes and systems as a source of knowledge and inspiration.knowledge and inspiration.

It involves nature as model, measure and mentor.It involves nature as model, measure and mentor.

The theory behind biomimicry is that natural processes and systems have evolved over several billion years through a process of research and development commonly referred to as evolution. A reoccurring theme in natural systems is the cyclical flow of matter in such a way that there is no waste of matter and very little of energy.

Nature is very economical about all Processes. We must also be MUCH more economical

2727


Biomimicry - Ultimate RecyclersBiomimicry - Ultimate Recyclers As peak oil start to bite and the price of transport rises sharplyAs peak oil start to bite and the price of transport rises sharply

• We should not just be recycling based on chemical property requiring We should not just be recycling based on chemical property requiring transport to large centralised sophisticated and expensive facilitiestransport to large centralised sophisticated and expensive facilities

• We should be including COWe should be including CO22 and wastes based on physical properties as well and wastes based on physical properties as well as chemical composition in composites whereby they become local resources.as chemical composition in composites whereby they become local resources.

The Jackdaw recycles all sorts of things it finds nearby based on physical property. The bird is not concerned about chemical composition and the nest it makes could be described as a composite material.

TecEco cements are benign binders that can incorporate all sort of wastes without reaction problems. We can do the same as the Jackdaw

2828


Utilizing Carbon and WastesUtilizing Carbon and Wastes During earth's geological history large tonnages of During earth's geological history large tonnages of

carbon were put away as limestone and other carbon were put away as limestone and other carbonates and as coal and petroleum by the activity of carbonates and as coal and petroleum by the activity of plants and animals. plants and animals.

Sequestering carbon in calcium and magnesium Sequestering carbon in calcium and magnesium carbonate materials and other wastes in the built carbonate materials and other wastes in the built environment mimics nature in that carbon is used in the environment mimics nature in that carbon is used in the homes or skeletal structures of most plants and animals.homes or skeletal structures of most plants and animals.

We all use carbon and wastes to make our homes!

In eco-cement blocks and mortars the binder is carbonate and the aggregates are preferably wastes “Biomimicry - Geomimicry”

CO2

C

CO2

Waste

CO2

CO2

2929


GeomimicryGeomimicry There are 1.2-3 grams of

magnesium and about .4 grams of calcium in every litre of seawater.

There is enough calcium and magnesium in seawater with replenishment to last billions of years at current needs for sequestration.

To survive we must build our homes like these seashells using CO2 and alkali metal cations. This is geomimicry

Carbonate sediments such as these cliffs represent billionsof years of sequestrationand cover 7% of the crust.

3030


Geomimicry for Planetary Engineers?Geomimicry for Planetary Engineers? Large tonnages of carbon were put away during Large tonnages of carbon were put away during

earth’s geological history as limestone, earth’s geological history as limestone, dolomite, magnesite, coal and oil by the dolomite, magnesite, coal and oil by the activity of plants and animals.activity of plants and animals.• Shellfish built shells from it andShellfish built shells from it and• Trees turned it into wood.Trees turned it into wood.

These same plants and animals wasted nothingThese same plants and animals wasted nothing• The waste from one was the food or home for The waste from one was the food or home for

another.another. Because of the colossal Because of the colossal size of the flows size of the flows

involved tinvolved the answer to the problems of he answer to the problems of greenhouse gas and waste is to use them both greenhouse gas and waste is to use them both in building materialsin building materials..

Materials are very important

3131


Geomimicry for Planetary Engineers?Geomimicry for Planetary Engineers? TThe answer to the problems of greenhouse he answer to the problems of greenhouse

gas and waste is to use them both in building gas and waste is to use them both in building materialsmaterials..• Such a paradigm shift in resource usage will not occur Such a paradigm shift in resource usage will not occur

because it is the right thing to do.because it is the right thing to do.• It can only happen economically.It can only happen economically.

We must put an economic value on carbon to We must put an economic value on carbon to solve global warming bysolve global warming by• inventing new technical paradigms such as offered by inventing new technical paradigms such as offered by

the Global Sustainability Alliance in Gaia Engineering.the Global Sustainability Alliance in Gaia Engineering.• Evolving culturally to effectively use these technical Evolving culturally to effectively use these technical

paradigmsparadigms• By using carbon dioxide and other wastes as a By using carbon dioxide and other wastes as a

building materials we could economically reduce their building materials we could economically reduce their concentration in the global commons.concentration in the global commons.

Materials are very important

3232


Making Carbonate Building Materials to Making Carbonate Building Materials to Solve the Global Warming ProblemSolve the Global Warming Problem

How much magnesium carbonate would have to be How much magnesium carbonate would have to be deposited to solve the problem of global warming?deposited to solve the problem of global warming?• 12 billion tonnes CO2 ~= 22.99 billion tonnes magnesite12 billion tonnes CO2 ~= 22.99 billion tonnes magnesite• The density of magnesite is 3 gm/cm3 or 3 tonne/metre3The density of magnesite is 3 gm/cm3 or 3 tonne/metre3

Thus 22.9/3 billion cubic metres ~= 7.63 cubic Thus 22.9/3 billion cubic metres ~= 7.63 cubic kilometres of magnesite are required to be deposited kilometres of magnesite are required to be deposited each year.each year.

Compared to the over seven cubic kilometres of concrete Compared to the over seven cubic kilometres of concrete we make every year, the problem of global warming we make every year, the problem of global warming looks surmountable.looks surmountable.

If magnesite was our building material of choice and we If magnesite was our building material of choice and we could make it without releases as is the case with Gaia could make it without releases as is the case with Gaia Engineering, we have the problem as good as solved!Engineering, we have the problem as good as solved!

We must build with carbonate and waste

3333


The Gaia Engineering ProcessThe Gaia Engineering Process

Greensols Process

Fossil fuels

Solar or solar derived energy

Oil

MgO

CO2

Coal

CO2

MgCO3

CO2

CO2

Inputs:

Atmospheric or smokestack CO2, brines,waste acid, other wastes

Outputs:

Potable water, gypsum, sodium bicarbonate, salts, building materials, bottled concentrated CO2 (for algal fuel production and other uses).

Carbon or carbon compoundsMagnesium compounds

1.29 gm/l Mg

Gaia Engineering delivers profitable outcomes whilst reversing underlying undesirable moleconomic flows from other less sustainable techno-processes outside the tececology.

TecEco MgCO2

Cycle

TecEcoKiln

Carbonate building components

Eco-Cement

3434


Gaia Engineering IntroductionGaia Engineering Introduction Gaia Engineering is a combination of Gaia Engineering is a combination of

new technologies includingnew technologies including• A seawater separation technology from A seawater separation technology from

Greensols Pty. Ltd. Greensols Pty. Ltd. • TecEco’s Tec-Kiln technology and TecEco’s Tec-Kiln technology and

cements cements • Carbon dioxide scrubbing technologies Carbon dioxide scrubbing technologies • TecEco' Eco-Cements TecEco' Eco-Cements

3535


Gaia Engineering Introduction (2)Gaia Engineering Introduction (2) Gaia engineering profitably geomimics Gaia engineering profitably geomimics

past planetary geological processes past planetary geological processes and adopted on a large scale will:and adopted on a large scale will:• Sequester significant amounts of Sequester significant amounts of

atmospheric CO2 atmospheric CO2 • Add value to the salts recoverable from Add value to the salts recoverable from

sea water sea water • Convert large volumes of waste to Convert large volumes of waste to

valuable resource valuable resource • Produce fresh water. Produce fresh water.

3636


Gaia Engineering Introduction (3)Gaia Engineering Introduction (3) Gaia Engineering works like a Gaia Engineering works like a giant ecological pumpgiant ecological pump.. Inputs includeInputs include

• Seawater or suitable brine Seawater or suitable brine • COCO22 • Waste acid Waste acid • Other wastes of all kinds Other wastes of all kinds • A small amount of energy A small amount of energy

Outputs includeOutputs include• Gypsum, sodium bicarbonate and various other valuable Gypsum, sodium bicarbonate and various other valuable

salts. salts. • Magnesium carbonate building components. Magnesium carbonate building components. • TecEco Tec, Eco and Enviro-Cements. TecEco Tec, Eco and Enviro-Cements. • Waste utlisation. Waste utlisation. • Fresh water. Fresh water.

3737


Gaia EngineeringGaia Engineering

Industrial Ecologies are generally

thought of as closed loop systems with

minimal or low impacts outside the

ecology

The Gaia Engineering tececology could be

thought of as an open technical

ecology designed to reverse major

damaging moleconomic and

other system flows outside the tececology

The Gaia Engineering tececology is not closed and is designed to reverse damaging moleconomic flows outside the ecology - LIKE A GIANT ECOLOGICAL PUMP

3838


CO2 from power generation, industry or out of the air

Magnesia (MgO)

Other Wastes

Simplified TecEco ReactionsTec-Kiln MgCO3 → MgO + CO2- 118 kJ/moleReactor Process MgO + CO2 → MgCO3

+ 118 kJ/mole (usually more complex hydrates)

(MgCO2) Cycle

Waste Acid

1.354 x 109 km3 Seawater containing 1.728 1017 tonne Mg or suitable brines from other sources

Tonnes CO2 sequestered per tonne magnesium with various cycles Tonnes CO2 sequestered per tonne magnesium with various cycles through the TecEco Tec-Kiln process. Assuming no leakage MgO to built through the TecEco Tec-Kiln process. Assuming no leakage MgO to built environment (i.e. complete cycles).environment (i.e. complete cycles).

Billion Billion TonnesTonnes

Tonnes COTonnes CO22 sequestered by 1 billion tonnes of Mg in seawater sequestered by 1 billion tonnes of Mg in seawater 1.810341.81034

Tonnes COTonnes CO22 captured during calcining (same as above) captured during calcining (same as above) 1.810341.81034

Tonnes COTonnes CO22 captured by eco-cement captured by eco-cement 1.810341.81034

Total tonnes COTotal tonnes CO22 sequestered or abated per tonne Mg in seawater sequestered or abated per tonne Mg in seawater

(Single calcination cycle).(Single calcination cycle).3.620683.62068

Total tonnes COTotal tonnes CO22 sequestered or abated (Five calcination cycles.) sequestered or abated (Five calcination cycles.) 18.103418.1034

Total tonnes COTotal tonnes CO22 sequestered or abated (Ten calcination cycles). sequestered or abated (Ten calcination cycles). 36.2036.20

Gypsum (CaSO4)

Gypsum + carbon waste (e.g. sewerage) = fertilizers

Sewerage compost

Magnesite (MgCO3)Solar Process to

Produce Magnesium Metal

Bicarbonate of Soda (NaHCO3)

Eco-CementTec-Cement

Other salts Na+,K+, Ca2+,Cl-

CO2 from power generation or industry

Sequestration Table – Mg from Seawater

CO2

CO2 + H2O =>Energy rich biomass using blue green algae

Greensols Seawater

Carbonation Process.

Tec-Reactor Hydroxide / Carbonate

slurry process

MgO Production using solar energy

Gaia EngineeringGaia Engineering

3939


Gaia EngineeringGaia EngineeringInputsBrinesWaste AcidWastesCO2

OutputsGypsum, Sodium bicarbonate, Salts, Building materials, Potable water

4040


Greensols – Making Carbonate Greensols – Making Carbonate Building ComponentsBuilding Components

Greensols Pty. Ltd is an Australian Greensols Pty. Ltd is an Australian company with an economic technology to company with an economic technology to precipitate out carbonates and other precipitate out carbonates and other valuable compounds from sea water and valuable compounds from sea water and brines and in the process sequester brines and in the process sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide and significant amounts of carbon dioxide and produce valuable by products including produce valuable by products including fresh water.fresh water.

4141


Greensols Carbon CaptureGreensols Carbon Capture

Strongly charged ions such as calcium, Strongly charged ions such as calcium, magnesium and carbonate attract magnesium and carbonate attract hydration shells of water around them. hydration shells of water around them. Magnesium and calcium ions polar bond to Magnesium and calcium ions polar bond to oxygen and the negative carbonate ion to oxygen and the negative carbonate ion to hydrogen. These bonds can propagate hydrogen. These bonds can propagate through several layers of water and are through several layers of water and are strong enough to prevent the formation of strong enough to prevent the formation of calcium and magnesium carbonates even calcium and magnesium carbonates even from supersaturated solutions. from supersaturated solutions.

4242


The Greensols ProcessThe Greensols Process

The Greensols process uses waste acid The Greensols process uses waste acid to de-polarise a statistical proportion of to de-polarise a statistical proportion of water molecules by attaching a proton water molecules by attaching a proton whereby positively charged sodium, whereby positively charged sodium, calcium or magnesium ions as well as calcium or magnesium ions as well as negatively charged ions including negatively charged ions including carbonate ions are released, can carbonate ions are released, can combine and then precipitate.combine and then precipitate.

4343



Hydration shelling of water around calcium or magnesium Ions because of the strong charge of especially magnesium to the oxygen end of waterSimilar hydration shelling occurs

around the negative carbonate ion through polar bonding to the hydrogen ends of water

4444


Greensols Carbon CaptureGreensols Carbon CaptureThe addition of a proton to water using strong waste acid results in its depolarisation whereby it no longer electronically holds as many ions (sodium, calcium, magnesium or carbonate etc.) statistically releasing them and allowing them to combine and precipitate as carbonates and other more valuable salts leaving behind essentially fresh water

4545



The statistical release of both cations and anions results in precipitation of for example magnesium carbonate as shown above.

+ =

Mg++ + CO3

_ _ =>

MgCO3

4646


Advantages of GreensolsAdvantages of GreensolsGREENSOLSGREENSOLS REVERSE OSMOSISREVERSE OSMOSIS

Low energy costsLow energy costs- - Does not work against the Does not work against the electronic forces in water.electronic forces in water.

Relatively high energy costsRelatively high energy costs

- Works against the hydrogen - Works against the hydrogen bonding of water to separate bonding of water to separate it from its ionsit from its ions

Low maintenanceLow maintenance

- The plant consists of low cost - The plant consists of low cost replaceable pumpsreplaceable pumps

High MaintenanceHigh Maintenance

- The - The membranes need membranes need cleaning and changing at cleaning and changing at regular intervals.regular intervals.

No damaging or dangerous No damaging or dangerous outputsoutputs

Highly saline water is Highly saline water is potentially damagingpotentially damaging

Value adds include fresh Value adds include fresh water, sequestration, valuable water, sequestration, valuable salts and building productssalts and building products

The only value add is fresh The only value add is fresh waterwater

4747


The Tec-Reactor Hydroxide CarbonateThe Tec-Reactor Hydroxide CarbonateSlurry ProcessSlurry Process

The solubility of carbon dioxide gas in The solubility of carbon dioxide gas in seawaterseawater• Increases as the temperature approached zero Increases as the temperature approached zero

andand• Is at a maxima around 4Is at a maxima around 4ooCC

This phenomenon is related to the This phenomenon is related to the chemical nature of COchemical nature of CO22 and water and and water and

Can be utilised in a carbonate – hydroxide Can be utilised in a carbonate – hydroxide slurry process to capture COslurry process to capture CO22 out of the air out of the air and release it to storage or use in a and release it to storage or use in a controlled mannercontrolled manner

4848


The MgCOThe MgCO22 Process (Magnesium Process (Magnesium

Thermodynamic Cycle)Thermodynamic Cycle)The MgCO2 (magnesium thermodynamiccycle) is very important for sequestration and is used for the formation of valuable building product

Representative of other hydrated mineral carbonates

CO2

CarbonationMg(OH)2.nH2O +CO2 +2H2O => MgCO3.3H2OΔH = - 37.04 kJ.molΔG = - 19.55 kJ.mol

Eco-Cements

Nesquehonite

Magnesite

Dehydration

Carbonation

Brucite

TOTAL CALCINING ENERGYRelative to MgCO3Theoretical = 1480 kJ.KgWith inefficiencies = 1948 kJ.Kg-1

Magnesia

Calcination

Tec-Kiln

HydrationMgO + H2O => Mg(OH)2.nH2OΔH = - 81.24 kJ.molΔG = - 35.74 kJ.mol

CalcificationMgCO3 => MgO + CO2

ΔH = 118.28 kJ.mol-1

ΔG = 65.92 kJ.mol-1

Tec, Eco and Enviro-Cements

CO2 + H2O =>Hydrocarbons compounds using algae

4949


Tec-Kiln TechnologyTec-Kiln Technology Runs at low temperatures Runs at low temperatures

minimising the development of minimising the development of lattice energy. lattice energy.

Can be powered by various non Can be powered by various non fossil sources of energy such as fossil sources of energy such as solar energy or waste heat.solar energy or waste heat.

Grinds and calcines at the same time thereby running 25% to Grinds and calcines at the same time thereby running 25% to 30% more efficiency.30% more efficiency.

Brings mineral sequestration and geological sequestration Brings mineral sequestration and geological sequestration together.together.

Captures CO2 for bottling and use for fuel manufacture using Captures CO2 for bottling and use for fuel manufacture using algae and other life forms o other purposes.algae and other life forms o other purposes.

The products – CaO and/or MgO can be used to sequester The products – CaO and/or MgO can be used to sequester more CO2 and then be re-calcined. This cycle can then be more CO2 and then be re-calcined. This cycle can then be repeated.repeated.

Suitable for making reactive reactive MgO.Suitable for making reactive reactive MgO.Will result in new Will result in new markets for ultra reactive low lattice energy MgO (e.g. markets for ultra reactive low lattice energy MgO (e.g. cement, paper and environment industries)cement, paper and environment industries)

CO2 + H2O =>Hydrocarbons compounds using algae

MgO Production using solar energy

5050


Why Magnesium Carbonates for Why Magnesium Carbonates for Sequestration?Sequestration?

Because of the low molecular weight of magnesium, it is ideal Because of the low molecular weight of magnesium, it is ideal for scrubbing COfor scrubbing CO22 out of the air and sequestering the gas into out of the air and sequestering the gas into the built environment:the built environment:

More COMore CO22 is captured than in calcium systems as the is captured than in calcium systems as the calculations below show.calculations below show.

At 2.09% of the crust magnesium is the 8th most abundant At 2.09% of the crust magnesium is the 8th most abundant elementelement

Sea-water contains 1.29 gm/litreSea-water contains 1.29 gm/litre Magnesium minerals are potential low cost. New kiln Magnesium minerals are potential low cost. New kiln

technology from TecEco will enable easy low cost simple non technology from TecEco will enable easy low cost simple non fossil fuel calcination of magnesium carbonate with COfossil fuel calcination of magnesium carbonate with CO22 capture for other uses. (e.g. algal production of fuel)capture for other uses. (e.g. algal production of fuel)

Magnesium compounds have low pH and polar bond in Magnesium compounds have low pH and polar bond in composites making them suitable for waste utilisation.composites making them suitable for waste utilisation.

%5284

44

3

2

MgCO

CO%43

101

44

3

2

CaCO

CO

Group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Period

11H

2He

23Li

4Be

5B

6C

7N

8O

9F

10Ne

311Na

12Mg

13Al

14Si

15P

16S

17Cl

18Ar

419K

20Ca

21Sc

22Ti

23V

24Cr

25Mn

26Fe

27Co

28Ni

29Cu

30Zn

31Ga

32Ge

33As

34Se

35Br

36Kr

537Rb

38Sr

39Y

40Zr

41Nb

42Mo

43Tc

44Ru

45Rh

46Pd

47Ag

48Cd

49In

50Sn

51Sb

52Te

53I

54Xe

655Cs

56Ba

*71Lu

72Hf

73Ta

74W

75Re

76Os

77Ir

78Pt

79Au

80Hg

81Tl

82Pb

83Bi

84Po

85At

86Rn

787Fr

88Ra

**

103Lr

104Rf

105Db

106Sg

107Bh

108Hs

109Mt

110Uun

111Uuu

112Uub

113Uut

114Uuq

115Uup

116Uuh

117Uus

118Uuo

*Lanthanoids *57La

58Ce

59Pr

60Nd

61Pm

62Sm

63Eu

64Gd

65Tb

66Dy

67Ho

68Er

69Tm

70Yb

**Actinoids**

89Ac

90Th

91Pa

92U

93Np

94Pu

95Am

96Cm

97Bk

98Cf

99Es

100Fm

101Md

102No

5151


Why Materials for the Built Environment?Why Materials for the Built Environment? The built environment is made of materials and is our The built environment is made of materials and is our

footprint on earth.footprint on earth.• It comprises buildings and infrastructure.It comprises buildings and infrastructure.

Construction materials compriseConstruction materials comprise• 70% of materials flows (buildings, infrastructure etc.)70% of materials flows (buildings, infrastructure etc.)• 40-50% of waste that goes to landfill (15 % of new materials 40-50% of waste that goes to landfill (15 % of new materials

going to site are wasted.)going to site are wasted.) Over 30 billion tonnes of building materials are used Over 30 billion tonnes of building materials are used

annually on a world wide basis.annually on a world wide basis.• Mostly using virgin natural resourcesMostly using virgin natural resources• Combined in such a manner that they cannot easily be Combined in such a manner that they cannot easily be

separated.separated.• Include many toxic elements.Include many toxic elements.

Why not use magnesium carbonates components from Greensols and Eco-Cements from TecEco?

5252


Huge Potential forHuge Potential forMore Sustainable Construction MaterialsMore Sustainable Construction Materials

Reducing the impact of the take and waste phases of the Reducing the impact of the take and waste phases of the techno-process by.techno-process by.• including carbon in materialsincluding carbon in materials

they are potentially carbon sinks.they are potentially carbon sinks.• including wastes forincluding wastes for

physical properties asphysical properties aswell as chemical compositionwell as chemical compositionthey become resources.they become resources.

• re engineering materials tore engineering materials toreduce the lifetime energyreduce the lifetime energyof buildingsof buildings

A durable low pH binderA durable low pH binderhigh bonding system is requiredhigh bonding system is requiredfor effective waste utilisationfor effective waste utilisationsuch as Tec andsuch as Tec andEco-CementsEco-Cementsdeveloped bydeveloped byTecEcoTecEco

Many wastes including CO2 can contribute to physical properties reducing lifetime energies

CO2

C

CO2

Waste

CO2

CO2

5353


Earthship BrightonEarthship Brighton

Earthship Brighton, the first building in the world made with Eco-Cement which sets by absorbing CO2

and wastes

5454


TecEco CementsTecEco Cements Tec-cements (Low MgO)Tec-cements (Low MgO)

• contain more Portland cement than reactive magnesia. contain more Portland cement than reactive magnesia. Reactive magnesia hydrates in the same rate order as Reactive magnesia hydrates in the same rate order as Portland cement forming Brucite which uses up water Portland cement forming Brucite which uses up water reducing the reducing the voids:paste voids:paste ratio, increasing density and ratio, increasing density and possibly raising the short term pHpossibly raising the short term pH..

• Reactions Reactions with pozzolanswith pozzolans are more affective are more affective. After all . After all the Portlandite has been consumed Brucite controls the the Portlandite has been consumed Brucite controls the long term pH which is lower and due to it’s low long term pH which is lower and due to it’s low solubility, mobility and reactivity results in greater solubility, mobility and reactivity results in greater durability.durability.

• Other benefits include improvements in density, Other benefits include improvements in density, strength and rheology, reduced permeability and strength and rheology, reduced permeability and shrinkage and the use of a wider range of aggregates shrinkage and the use of a wider range of aggregates many of which are potentially wastes without reaction many of which are potentially wastes without reaction problems.problems.

5555


TecEco CementsTecEco Cements Eco-cements (High MgO)Eco-cements (High MgO)

• contain more reactive magnesia than in tec-cements. contain more reactive magnesia than in tec-cements. Brucite in porous materials carbonates forming Brucite in porous materials carbonates forming stronger fibrous mineral carbonates and therefore stronger fibrous mineral carbonates and therefore presenting huge opportunities for waste utilisation and presenting huge opportunities for waste utilisation and sequestration. The low pH and high hydrogen bonding sequestration. The low pH and high hydrogen bonding make Eco-Cements ideal for binding other materials make Eco-Cements ideal for binding other materials including most wastes.including most wastes.

Enviro-cements (High MgO)Enviro-cements (High MgO)• contain similar ratios of MgO and OPC to eco-cements contain similar ratios of MgO and OPC to eco-cements

but in non but in non porous concretes brucite does not carbonate porous concretes brucite does not carbonate readily.readily.

• Higher proportions of magnesia are most suited to toxic Higher proportions of magnesia are most suited to toxic and hazardous waste immobilisation and when and hazardous waste immobilisation and when durability is required. Strength is not developed quickly durability is required. Strength is not developed quickly nor to the same extent.nor to the same extent.

5656


Cements Net Emissions/Sequestration ComparedCements Net Emissions/Sequestration Compared

Net Emissions (Sequestration) per kg Cement

-0.80

-0.60

-0.40

-0.20

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

Por

tland

Cem

ent

Mag

nesi

a

Lim

e

Tec

-Cem

ent

Eco

-Cem

ent

Lim

e M

orta

r

Env

iro-C

emen

t

Net Emissions(Sequestration) per kgCement

(Gaia Engineering Assumed)

5757


A Sustainable Built EnvironmentA Sustainable Built Environment

MAGNESIUM CARBONATE

ECO-CEMENTCONCRETES

SUSTAINABLE CITIES

CO2

PERMANENT SEQUESTRATION & WASTE UTILISATION (Man made carbonate rock incorporating wastes as a building material)

Pareto’s principle -80% of the build environment in non structural and could be carbonate from Greensols held together by Eco-Cements

CO2

MgOTECECO KILN

RECYCLED BUILDING MATERIALS

OTHERWASTES

“There is a way to make our city streets as green as the Amazon rainforest”. Fred Pearce, New Scientist Magazine

CO2 + H2O =>Hydrocarbons compounds using bacteria

GREENSOLS

CO2

5858


Planetary Engineering - Reduction Global Planetary Engineering - Reduction Global COCO22 from Gaia Engineering Processes from Gaia Engineering Processes

Global CO2 in the Atmosphere

2,900

3,100

3,300

3,500

2005 2010 2015 2020 2025

Mas

s o

f C

O2

(Gt)

Mass CO2 in the atmosphere without "CarbonSafe"sequestration (Gt)Mass CO2 in the atmosphere with "CarbonSafe"sequestration (Gt)Upper CO2 limit (Gt)

5959


Carbonate Sequestration in Built Carbonate Sequestration in Built EnvironmentEnvironment

MgO Component Used in Cement

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005 2015 2025

MgO component used (Mt)

Cement sales (Mt)Trendline (Mt)

greensols permanent co2 fixation technologies members as at feb 07: greensols pty. ltd. (prof....

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