CO2 uptake and metal release capacity of carbonated sulcis coal ash

Coal is the biggest single source of energy for power generation and its use is still growing: presently, more than 2,000 Mtoe of world total primary energy demand are fulfilled by coal-fired power stations. During the coal combustion a big amount of greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide) are produced and released to the atmosphere heavily contributing to the well-known environmental problems (i.e. global warming). This paper introduce the first results of an experimental study on carbonation of coal ash produced by “Grazia Deledda” power station mainly concerning CO2 uptake capacity and leaching behaviour modification. Sulcis ash (SA) have been investigated with the aim of evaluating the influence of the technical conditions (i.e. pressure, temperature and reaction time) on its CO2 storage capacity and on the properties of the residues which may affect the strategies for their disposal or reuse.