Researchers tested ultramafic rock powders as reactive filters for capturing CO2 from flue gas. The study used emission streams generated by burning crude oil and mesquite-derived charcoal, then measured how well rock samples with different olivine and serpentine contents took up carbon dioxide. Characterization methods included XRD, TGA/DSC, and FTIR spectroscopy. The idea is to use magnesium-rich rock as a direct filtration medium, not just as a subsurface injection target. That could give industrial sites a simpler way to lock CO2 into solid mineral form. The full results are behind an SPE membership wall, so the actual uptake numbers and reaction conditions are not visible in the free summary. If the rock performs well under realistic flue gas conditions, it could become a useful option for small-scale or distributed carbon capture. The key unknowns are media lifetime, pressure drop, and whether the carbonated rock can be reused or sold as aggregate.
