Importance

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Abstract

The instant disclosure sets forth a process for re-activating a mineral residue. The process includes providing a mineral residue, which includes a core and a shell around the core. In certain examples, the core comprises calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), or a combination thereof. The Ca and Mg is not present as elemental Ca or Mg but rather as a compound of Ca or of Mg, such as but not limited to Ca(OH)₂ or Mg(OH)₂. In certain examples, the shell comprises an oxide, a hydroxide, a carbonate, a silicate, a sulfite, a sulfate, a chloride, a nitrate, or nitrite, of calcium (Ca) or of magnesium (Mg), or a combination thereof. The process includes (a) fractionating the mineral residue; (b) contacting the mineral residue with an acid and fractionating the mineral residue; or (c) contacting the mineral residue with a base and fractionating the mineral residue. As a result, the mineral residue's core is exposed. In some examples, the shell is passivating and inhibits the Ca or Mg, or both, in the core from reacting with carbon dioxide (CO₂). By exposing the core as described herein, a mineral residue's reactivity with carbon dioxide is increased.

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First Claim