Technological environment and commercialization of Carbon Mineralization Flagship in Korea: production and utilization of complex carbonates using coal ash

Abstract: Herein, we review and analyze the core and element technologies for carbon-mineralization flagship, one of South Korea’s major carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) projects. Internationally, the core technology of the carbon-mineralization flagship was approved as a clean development mechanism (CDM) by The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) CDM Executive Board in October 2020. This means that carbon-mineralization-flagship technology using coal ash has been internationally recognized as a technology capable of reducing greenhouse gases. The CCUS includes the concept of carbon capture and storage that segregates, capture, transports, stores carbon and the concept of carbon capture and utilization that converts carbon into an economically valuable material. The carbon-mineralization-flagship technology is analyzed using a logic model, work-breakdown structure (WBS), and technology–product roadmap, which are methodologies used for analyzing and evaluating research and development (R&D) projects and reviewing connectivity between the core and element technologies. In addition, the performance objectives and indicator model of carbon-mineralization-flagship technology are developed considering the National R&D 5th Standard Performance Indicator Guide and the intertechnology linkage. Using the developed carbon-mineralization-process technology acquisition rate and logic models, WBS, and technology–product roadmap, the steps for commercializing the carbon-mineralization-flagship technology could be evaluated. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].