Utilization of carbon dioxide in chemical and materials treatment sector

Abstract. CO2 capture and utilization is necessary to reduce the increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration from the rapid burning of fossil fuels for energy. The high CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is largely responsible for global warming, which is negatively affecting the environment and health of all living beings. Pathways to utilize CO2 need to be explored in order to minimize the cost of CO2 capture. One way to utilize CO2 is in three sectors involved in the chemical and materials treatment industry, namely iron and steel sector, alumina sector, and acid mine drainage treatment. In these three sectors, CO2 is less commonly applied but can be employed to potentially enhance their industrial processes. In the three sectors, CO2 can be used as a neutralizing agent to lower the pH of greatly alkaline products and by-products, or an additive for temperature control and dust reduction of blast furnaces in steel production. This review discusses in detail the roles and mechanisms of CO2 in these three sectors.