Recovery of Silica as SCM from Olivine using Oxalic Acid-enabled Chemical Comminution

Using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to substitute cement or clinker, as a decarbonization strategy, is limited by the shortage of conventional SCMs like GGBS, fly ash, and silica fume. Meanwhile, mafic/ultramafic minerals are unlimited to be processed for SCMs production. In this study, oxalic acid is used to dissolve olivine ((Mg, Fe)2SiO4) to produce amorphous silica. Results show that high purity amorphous silica could be successfully obtained and the yield can be up to 93.42%. This process endows the extra value of olivine alongside being used for carbon storage.