A comprehensive review of direct aqueous mineral carbonation of industrial wastes using principal component analysis

Aqueous mineral carbonation has been identified as a potential solution for permanent sequestration of CO2, thus offering a sustainable approach to mitigate global warming. The present study examines recent advancements in aqueous carbonation processes, emphasizing the utilization of industrial by-products, in particular steel slags and wastes from construction sector, as reactive feedstocks. The fundamental mechanisms of carbonation in aqueous systems are analyzed, highlighting the role of solution chemistry, reaction kinetics, and mineral solubility in optimizing CO2 uptake. The high alkalinity of selected industrial by-products has been demonstrated to facilitate efficient carbonation under controlled conditions. The most common CO2 quantification techniques and carbonation efficiency equations are briefly summarized and discussed. The effects of the most significant operational parameters on enhancing the reaction efficiency are also discussed. Finally, multivariate Principal Component analysis has been adopted for the evaluation of these parameters while considering the nature of the materials and the reactor types.