CO2 sequestration using accelerated gas-solid carbonation of pre-treated EAF steel-making bag house dust

Mineral CO2 sequestration is a promising process for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. In this paper, alkaline calcium-rich dust particles collected from bag filters of electric arc furnaces (EAF) for steel making were utilized as a viable raw material for mineral CO2 sequestration. The dust particles were pre-treated through hydration, drying and screening. The pre-treated particles were then subjected to direct gas–solid carbonation reaction in a fluidized-bed reactor. The carbonated products were characterized to determine the overall sequestration capacity and the mineralogical structures. Leaching tests were also performed to measure the extracted minerals from the carbonated dust and evaluate the carbonation process on dust stabilization. The experimental results indicated that CO2 could be sequestered using the pre-treated bag house dust. The maximum sequestration of CO2 was 0.657 kg/kg of dust, based on the total calcium content. The highest degree of carbonation achieved was 42.5% and the carbonation efficiency was 69% at room temperature. •The CO2 carbonation of electric arc furnace dust was evaluated.•The process was carried out by hydration, aeration, screening and then reaction.•The maximum sequestration capacity was 0.657 kg CO2/kg Dust.•The highest degree of carbonation achieved was 42.5%.•The carbonation efficiency was 69% for 240 min at ambient conditions.