Physics-based and data-driven hybrid modelling and optimisation of stirred-slurry reactors for CO2 capture via enhanced weathering of dolomite mineral

Abstract

The natural enhanced weathering (EW) must be significantly accelerated by optimizing the local triple-phase environment prior to practical large-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The implementation of stirred-slurry reactor (SSR) for enhancing mass transport and reaction rates of the EW-based CO₂ capture process has not yet been reported. We conducted a hybrid modelling approach, in which mechanistic and data-driven models are integrated, for the scaled-up batch SSRs designed for EW-based CO₂ capture. It is revealed that CO₂ mass transport into the aqueous phase has significant impact on the overall capture performance. The scaled-up batch system is found to perform comparably to the continuous system in terms of CO₂ capture rate, energy and water consumption. The energy consumption for gas enrichment in the batch system is expected to be less than 50% of that in continuous systems. Multi-objective optimisation reveals the efficacy and accuracy of the hybrid modeling within low energy consumption ranges.