OSTI Database Project Description  (updated Aug. 2005)

PROJECT TITLE:

Biomineralization for Carbon Sequestration

PROJECT ID:

P/ORNL--FEAA036

RESEARCH ORG. CODE:

ORNL

CONTRACT NUMBER:

AC05-84OR21400

FUNDING MECHANISM:

M&O

SUBCONTRACT NAME:

 

SUBCONTRACT NUMBER:

 

POINT OF CONTACT NAME:

Judkins, Roddie Reagan,

POINT OF CONTACT EMAIL:

JUDKINSRR@ornl.gov

POINT OF CONTACT PHONE:

865-574-4572

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this coal utilization research is to develop an understanding of the mechanisms by which iron-reducing microorganisms (carbonate precipitating) sequester carbon dioxide into solid carbonate mineral phases and to use this knowledge to design biological and biogeochemical processes to capture carbon dioxide from fossil fuel plants while stabilizing fly ash wastes. This coal utilization research will develop a scenario by whichfly ash is stabilized into carbonate solid conglomerates that could potentially be useful as fill materials or road construction aggregates. We envision an open system whereby ash collection ponds would be colonized with calcareous microorganisms capable of producing calcite, aragonite, and iron carbonates such as siderite. These carbonates would be formed in situ, at depth by anaerobic carbonate producing bacteria. Results to date demonstrate that iron-reducing bacteria indeed convert CO2 into sparingly soluble carbonate minerals such as calcite and siderite using metal containing fly ash and lime. Biological carbonate mineral formation using fly ash and lime materials indicated that bacteria may complement the capture of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel plants while potentially stabilizing fly ash wastes and bind the fly ash into solid materials. In essence, the proposed research would reduce carbon dioxide input into the atmosphere by immobilizing it into a stable carbonate mineral phases. Second, it could turn waste ash into a useful product. Third, it could at the very least stabilize the ash to reduce the leaching of metals into the environment. Fourth, the process could be combined with a waste treatment strategy in which the carbonate forming microbes would use waste products from agriculture or food processing to supply energy for microbial growth. This would constitute energy plexing by combining multiple diverse waste streams into new product streams.

PROGRESS TO DATE:

 

PROJECT STATUS:

C

PROJECT URL:

 

PROPRIETARY:

 

RESEARCH SUBJECT:

 

RESEARCH TYPE:

B

FUTURE PLANS:

 

NON-FEDERAL PERCENT:

0

OUT-YEAR COST:

FY2005-0;FY2006-0

PUBLICATIONS:

 

INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION:

 

START DATE:

1-Aug-1999

COMPLETION DATE:

30-Sep-2006

MD FILE SEQ:

9756

AO OFFICE CODE:

 

PERFORMING LOCATION:

 

PERFORMING LOCATION CITY:

Oak Ridge

PERFORMING LOCATION ZIP:

37831

OLD PROJECT I.D.:

 

FISCAL YEAR:

2004

PROJECT APPROVED:

Y

ENTERED DATE:

12-Mar-2001

LAST UPDATE:

14-Jan-2005

 

 

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