OBJECTIVES The overall objective of the proposed research program is to optimize the active carbonation process in order to design an integrated CO 2 sequestration module for Vision 21 plants. It is known that chemical surface activation helps to dissolve the magnesium from the serpentine minerals, and furthermore, the carbonation reaction can be conducted under ambient operating temperature and mild pressure conditions 1 . The module consists basically of two integrated units for the

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... and carbonation processes. In the activation unit, serpentine is mixed with sulfuric acid to activate the mineral. During the activation process, the magnesium is extracted from the serpentine mineral and forms a Mg 2+ solution that will be sent to the carbonation reactor. As a consequence of the extraction process, a high-surface SiO 2 rich solid will be formed and precipitated. In the carbonation reactor, the CO 2 that has been separated from the flue gas of a power plant will be reacted with the Mg 2+ solution to precipitate MgCO 3 . During this process, the sulfuric acid will be regenerated and recycled to the activation reactor.