Steel slag mineral carbonation: a critical review on mechanisms, operational parameters, and valorization strategies for CO₂ sequestration

Authors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47456/bjpe.v11i4.49045
Keywords:
mineral carbonation, steel slag, CO₂ sequestration, waste valorization, operational parameters
Abstract

The steel industry is one of the largest global contributors to carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, accounting for 7% to 9% of the world's total. In this context, mineral carbonation of steel slags emerges as a promising strategy for permanent CO₂ sequestration and the valorization of industrial waste. This paper presents a critical and systematic review of the literature from 2014 to 2024, exploring fundamental mechanisms, the influence of operational parameters, and the valorization potential of carbonated steel slag. The analysis revealed that, although ladle furnace (LF) and basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slags stand out for their reactivity, sequestration efficiency varies significantly with operational conditions. Indirect methods and supercritical carbonation demonstrated high effectiveness, with capture rates that can exceed 90% and 41.9%, respectively. Pilot-scale studies corroborate feasibility, with reported efficiencies of up to 89.7%. Optimizing parameters such as temperature (around 60-90°C), liquid-to-solid ratio (L/S of 4:1), and fine particle size is crucial, although the effect of CO₂ pressure can vary and, in some cases, excessive pressure may reduce efficiency. Carbonated products have wide applications in civil construction as aggregates and binders, improving volume stability and immobilizing heavy metals, which can reduce CO₂ emissions in concrete production by up to 30%. Challenges such as slag composition variability and high energy consumption for grinding persist. It is concluded that method standardization, parameter optimization, and the promotion of industrial-scale projects are essential to maximize the potential of steel slag as a sustainable solution for decarbonization and the circular economy.

Author Biographies
  1. Laura Loyola Marion Guio, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES)

    Graduated in Industrial Chemistry from the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo. Master's student in Environmental Engineering at the Federal University of Espírito Santo. Experience in the areas of physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and instrumental chemistry. I have carried out trace metal projects using ICP-OEs and near-infrared drug analysis.

  2. Franciely Lorenzon Carvalho, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES)

    PhD candidate in Environmental Engineering at UFES, with a research focus on Environmental Sanitation using Ecotechnologies. Postgraduate student in Innovation Management at IFES. Master's degree in Science and Mathematics Education from IFES (2023), with an emphasis on interdisciplinarity and STS (Science, Technology, and Society). MBA in Business Management from Fundação Dom Cabral (2019). Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering from FAESA (2015). Experience in Environmental Management, Licensing, Product Certification, Business Management, Nature-Based Solutions, and Biotechnology.

  3. Larissa Bernardino Moro, Centro de Pesquisa, Inovação e Desenvolvimento - CPID

    Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences - Faculdades Integradas São Pedro - FAESA (2005). Postgraduate degree in Environmental Auditing from UCB. Master's degree in Plant Production from UFES (2009). PhD in Plant Biodiversity and Environment, specializing in Non-Vascular Plants and Fungi in Environmental Analysis, from the Botanical Institute of São Paulo (2015).

  4. Yuri Nascimento Nariyoshi, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES)

    He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (2011) and a Direct Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (2016). He was an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Engineering and Technology at the North University Center of Espírito Santo, Federal University of Espírito Santo (2016-2024), where he was President of the Structuring Teaching Nucleus of the Chemical Engineering Collegiate (2016-2017), Coordinator of the Chemical Engineering Collegiate (2017-2019), and Deputy Head of this Department (2018-2020). Currently, he is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering at the Technological Center of the Federal University of Espírito Santo since 2024, where he works in the area of ​​Environmental Sanitation, with an emphasis on Wastewater Treatment. He has experience in the field of Chemical Engineering and develops research focused on Wastewater Treatment with Zero Liquid Discharge, including membrane separation processes, contaminant removal by crystallization and precipitation techniques, and advanced oxidation processes. He was awarded the prize for best work in the area of ​​Separation Engineering and Thermodynamics (Giulio Massarani Award) at the XX Brazilian Congress of Chemical Engineering in October 2014 and received an honorable mention as a standout work in the Engineering area at the XXIX Scientific Initiation Conference of UFES by the Institutional Program of Scientific Initiation of UFES in December 2019.

  5. Jairo Pinto de Oliveira, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES)

    He holds a PhD in Biotechnology (UFES) with a Post-Doctorate in the Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group at the São Carlos Institute of Physics, USP. He is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Morphology at UFES, a Permanent Professor in the Biotechnology Graduate Program (Renorbio) and the Biochemistry Graduate Program. He coordinates the Multi-User Electron Microscopy Center at UFES (www.luccar.ufes.br), the Environmental Characterization Laboratory at the Research, Innovation and Development Center of Espírito Santo - CPID (www.lacarcpid.com.br), and is a member of the National System for the Management of Genetic Heritage and Associated Traditional Knowledge (SisGen) at UFES. He has dedicated his time to the development of research and technological development projects involving applications of magnetic and plasmonic nanomaterials in biological systems (immobilization support, carrying, catalysis and biosensors), as well as projects in the area of ​​environmental biotechnology.

  6. Sérvio Tulio Alves Cassini, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES)

    Graduated in Natural History and Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Minas Gerais UFMG (1975), Master's degree in Agricultural Microbiology from the University of São Paulo ESALQ-USP (1980) and PhD in Environmental Microbiology from North Carolina State University NCSU-USA (1988). Visiting Professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK-USA) 1996-1997. Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) 1975-1999. Full Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering CT-UFES 1999-2024. Currently retired and Volunteer Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering CT-UFES, working in the Postgraduate Program in Environmental Engineering. Coordinator of the Postgraduate Program in Environmental Engineering PPGEA-UFES 2000-2006. Coordinator of the National Research Network on Sludge FINEP-PROSAB 2001-2003. Coordinator of the LABSAN Laboratory at UFES 2000-2016. Coordinator of the LACAR Laboratory at the Research, Innovation and Development Center (CPID) of the state of Espírito Santo 2018-present. Leader of the CNPq Research Group in Sanitation and Biofuels at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES). Leader of the Research Group in Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology. Member of the Editorial Board of the journal Algal Research (Citescore 9.4 and IF 4.6 (2024)). Associate Editor of the journal Journal of Environmental and Analytical Toxicology. Reviewer for the journals Water Science and Technology (IWA), Bioresource Technology, World Journal Microbiology Biotechnology, Resources Conservation and Recycling Elsevier, and Algal Research (Elsevier). Works in the area of ​​Microbiology Applied to Sanitary Engineering, mainly with projects in the area of ​​bioremediation and generation of biofuels (biodiesel, biogas, and biohydrogen) from biomass and organic waste (OSW).

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Cover Image
Image showing a green paper windmill on the left and dark blue cloud shapes with the text “CO₂” on the right, all arranged on a wooden shelf. Below the shelf, a small globe is centered. The background is a soft green gradient. The top of the image contains the article title “Steel Slag Mineral Carbonation: A Critical Review on Mechanisms, Operational Parameters, and Valorization Strategies for CO₂ Sequestration,” along with the authors’ names and the logo of the Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering.
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Published
2025-12-04
Issue
Vol. 11 No. 4 (2025): Regular Issue (October - December) *Continuous Publication of Articles
Section
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABILITY
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Copyright (c) 2025 Guio, L. L. M., Carvalho, F. L., Moro, L. B., Nariyoshi, Y. N., Oliveira, J. P. de, & Cassini, S. T. A.

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How to Cite

Guio, L. L. M., Carvalho, F. L., Moro, L. B., Nariyoshi, Y. N., Oliveira, J. P. de, & Cassini, S. T. A. (2025). Steel slag mineral carbonation: a critical review on mechanisms, operational parameters, and valorization strategies for CO₂ sequestration. Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering, 11(4), 328-340. https://doi.org/10.47456/bjpe.v11i4.49045