Carbon Mineralization in Basaltic Rocks: Mechanisms, Applications, and Prospects for Permanent CO 2 Sequestration

Ernest Ansah Owusu, Jiyue Wu, Elizabeth Akonobea Appiah, William Apau Marfo, Na Yuan, Xiaojing Ge, Kegang Ling and Sai Wang ()
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Ernest Ansah Owusu: Petroleum Recovery Research Center, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
Jiyue Wu: Petroleum Recovery Research Center, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
Elizabeth Akonobea Appiah: Petroleum Recovery Research Center, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
William Apau Marfo: Petroleum Recovery Research Center, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
Na Yuan: Petroleum Recovery Research Center, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
Xiaojing Ge: Petroleum Recovery Research Center, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
Kegang Ling: Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
Sai Wang: Petroleum Recovery Research Center, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM 87801, USA

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-22

Abstract: Basalt is prevalent in the Earth’s crust and makes up about 90% of all volcanic rocks. The earth is warming at an alarming rate, and there is a search for a long-term solution to this problem. Geologic carbon storage in basalt offers an effective and durable solution for carbon dioxide sequestration. Basaltic rocks are widely used for road and building construction and insulation, soil amendment, and in carbon storage. There is a need to understand the parameters that affect this process in order to achieve efficient carbon mineralization. This review systematically analyzes peer-reviewed studies and project reports published over the past two decades to assess the mechanisms, effectiveness, and challenges of carbon mineralization in basaltic formations. Key factors such as mineral composition, pH, temperature and pressure are evaluated for their impact on mineral dissolution and carbonate precipitation kinetics. The presence of olivine and basaltic glass also accelerates cation release and carbonation rates. The review includes case studies from major field projects (e.g., CarbFix and Wallula) and laboratory experiments to illustrate how mineralization performs in different geological environments. It is essential to maximize mineralization kinetics while ensuring the formation of stable carbonate phases in order to achieve efficient and permanent carbon dioxide storage in basaltic rock.

Keywords: carbon mineralization; basaltic rocks; CO 2 sequestration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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