Assessment of the CO2 Mineralization Potential of Tamarack’s Ultramafic Bowl-Shaped Intrusion

Default ARPA-E Project Image

Program:
OPEN 2021
Award:
$1,605,248
Location:
South Jordan, Utah
Status:
ACTIVE
Project Term:
10/01/2022 - 09/30/2025
Website:

Critical Need:

There has been a surge in developing carbon capture and carbon dioxide (CO2) removal technologies in response to the current climate crisis. A critical need of these emerging technologies is the ability to store atmospheric CO2 permanently. Subsurface ultramafic geologic reservoirs contain CO2-reactive rocks that have the potential to mineralize CO2 as stable carbonates. Ultramafic geologic reservoirs also have the benefit of being common occurrences across the United States, allowing industrial regions with pervasive hard-to-abate emission sources to store their CO2 emissions locally.

Project Innovation + Advantages:

Rio Tinto Services will collaborate with Columbia University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Talon Nickel, Carbfix, and Advantek Waste Management Solutions to develop innovative technologies to potentially sequester CO2 based on the characterization, determination of reaction kinetics, and modeling of the Tamarack Nickel Project’s bowl-shaped ultramafic intrusion. This sequestration would be achieved via the conversion of CO2 into solid rock. While past research has focused on subsurface saline aquifers for carbon storage, Rio Tinto aims to demonstrate that using other geologic media, such as mafic-ultramafic rock, is an emerging strategy for long-term, large-scale carbon storage.

Potential Impact:

If successful, this project will facilitate a revolutionary step-change in reducing energy-related emissions.

Security:

The broad approach to carbon sequestration in mafic-ultramafic geologic media could provide a significant increase in long-term domestic carbon storage capacity.

Environment:

This technology could establish a novel medium and mechanism to permanently store CO2 as stable carbonates.

Economy:

This work could lead to innovative technologies and solutions enabling economically viable CO2 sequestration techniques across specific mineralization present in the USA.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Douglas Wicks
Project Contact:
Mr. Martin Suave
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
Martin.Sauve@riotinto.com

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Release Date:
02/11/2021