GGR Demonstrator: Enhanced Weathering

As part of the UK Enhanced Rock Weathering Greenhouse Gas Removal Demonstrator (UK ERW GGR-D), this project aims to examine how ERW can be sustainably scaled up within the UK, with realistic deployment scenarios. ERW, a technology based on amending soils with crushed calcium- and magnesium-rich silicate minerals has substantial large-scale CO2 removal potential in the UK. The project will conduct short-term and long-term case studies to assess the technical challenges and opportunities for scalability, including modifying and expanding supply chains. For this, we will develop an inventory of existing basic rock production sites, current productive capacity within the industry, and mineral reserves with planning consent, cross-referencing with geochemical data and obtaining geochemical rock characterisation. The project also investigates the potential environmental and social limitation on exploitation of resources.
Artificial silicates, mainly calcium silicate construction and demolition (C&D) wastes, offer opportunities for both ERW scalability without mining and building a circular economy. We will establish the essential foundations for exploiting this resource by: i) developing inventories to understand suitability, rates of production and, ii) undertaking comparative lab experiments on representative C&D wastes and basalts to assess chemistry, dissolution kinetics, and risks from potential contaminants.

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/uk-enhanced-weathering