A systematic comparison of calcium carbonate quantification techniques for the monitoring of carbon dioxide removal via lime carbonation direct air capture

[Geoengineering News]

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-prisms-carbon-technologies/article/systematic-comparison-of-calcium-carbonate-quantification-techniques-for-the-monitoring-of-carbon-dioxide-removal-via-lime-carbonation-direct-air-capture/11FE523246B2D170BD6F45F3C6E4633B

Authors: Aimee Titche, Olivia Hawrot, Jack Shield, James S Campbell and Phil Renforth

05 March 2026

Abstract 

Lime carbonation direct air capture (DAC) systems remove atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) by carbonating calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) to produce calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which can release CO2 for durable storage. Accurate and precise measurement of generated CaCO3 is essential in quantifying CO2 removed from the atmosphere, and for optimizing the carbonation process. Methods for measurement of carbonate content are well established, but have yet to be applied to materials produced by this system (i.e. almost solely Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3). Five carbonate content analysis techniques (loss on ignition, LOI; thermogravimetric analysis, TGA; combustion analysis of carbon via infrared absorption, CAC-IR; volumetric calcimetry; and quantitative fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR) were investigated for their measurement accuracy and precision over a range of carbonate contents. Sample throughput and levelized cost of analysis were considered in addition to accuracy and precision. LOI and CAC-IR proved favorable against equal consideration of the four factors. Weighting for accuracy and precision, LOI was favorable. Standard operating procedures, including established accuracy and precision levels, for viable carbonate content quantification techniques should be developed, tested, and presented to assure carbon credit buyers, the scientific community, and the public on the validity of carbon credits generated by lime carbonation DAC.

Source: Cambridge University Press