Innovative mineral carbonation techniques: A comprehensive review of ultrasound-assisted processing, mechanistic insights, optimization strategies, and environmental impacts

Abstract

Worldwide efforts are focused on reducing CO₂ emissions and improving CO₂ capture, utilization, and sequestration. Ultrasound-assisted processing (UAP), utilizing acoustic cavitation (AC), emerges as a promising, eco-friendly technology to enhance CO₂ sequestration. This overview highlights recent progress in UAP for mineral carbonation, covering intensification mechanisms, sonochemical reactors, and the impact of UAP factors (frequency, power, temperature, particle size, duration, pH). High temperatures (5000 K) and pressures (1000 atm) from AC generate hydroxyl radicals, boosting mass transfer and reaction rates while preventing passivating layer formation. These factors accelerate CO₂ sequestration. UAP can increase carbonation/leaching rates by 10–40% with lower energy consumption and milder conditions than conventional methods like high-temperature reactors. However, further research is needed to improve economic efficiency and scalability, as key challenges include controlling acoustic field uniformity, ensuring consistent performance across varying mineral types, and integrating UAP with existing industrial infrastructure.