Production of magnesium hydroxide from magnesium silicate for the purpose of CO2 mineralisation – Part 1: Application to Finnish serpentinite

Carbonation of abundantly available magnesium silicates such as serpentinites could be an attractive route to capture and store CO2. In this paper we describe a novel route to produce magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2, from Finnish serpentinite. The resulting Mg(OH)2 is much more reactive towards CO2 than the parent serpentinite. The process route of producing Mg(OH)2 as reported here involves a staged process of Mg extraction using a moderately high temperature solid/solid reaction of serpentinite and ammonium sulphate (AS) salt followed by precipitation of Mg(OH)2 using aqueous ammonia. Tests at 400–550 °C showed promising results. An optimum range of reaction conditions for the extraction stage (Mg extraction) and precipitation stages (production of valuable products) of the process was also identified. The valuable solid products refer to Fe-containing compound (dark brown solid, exhibiting the properties of FeOOH) and Mg(OH)2 (white precipitate), both precipitated in an aqueous solution with 25% (v/v) ammonia at pH 8–9 and 11–12, respectively. In some cases all Mg extracted from serpentinite was converted to magnesium Mg(OH)2 with very small volumes of ammonia solution added. Apart from the relatively cheap AS salt reagent, the prospect of recovery and use of by-products of the process: ammonia gas, FeOOH, and AS salt presents significant benefits.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Magnesium was extracted from magnesium silicate rock using ammonium sulphate. ► Iron by-product FeOOH is obtained at pH 8–9; Mg(OH)2 is produced at pH 11–12. ► Around 65% Mg was extracted from Finnish serpentinite at 400–440 °C, 30–60 min.