Full understanding on formation and characteristics of magnesium silicate hydrate

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H00878
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 31:Nuclear engineering, earth resources engineering, energy engineering, and related fields
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Tsutomu SATO 北海道大学, 工学研究院, 教授 (10313636)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 大竹 翼 北海道大学, 工学研究院, 准教授 (80544105)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: マグネシウムシリケート水和物 / 低結晶性物質 / 地球化学モデリング / 有害物質 / 隔離

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the true character (composition, structure, etc.) of magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) was revealed through synthesis experiments and precise characterization of the products, thermodynamic investigations, exploration and production confirmation in various natural environments, and observation of alteration to more stable phase over time on a geological time scale. We were also able to construct and validate a geochemical reaction model and database that can predict the formation of M-S-H. Therefore, it is now possible to use the validated models and databases to predict whether or not M-S-H is produced and the amount of M-S-H produced in various engineering scenarios where M-S-H is expected to be produced.

Free Research Field

環境鉱物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

マグネシウムシリケート水和物(M-S-H）は、おそらく低結晶性物質であるために、様々な場面で今までは見過ごされていた可能性が高く、その生成環境での振舞いに関する知見がほとんど蓄積されていなかった。このM-S-Hに関して、その正体（組成や構造等）や生成条件が明らかになっただけでなく、ニッケル等有用金属の資源探査、地熱発電のスケール抑制、二酸化炭素の地中貯留、放射性廃棄物の地層処分、石油増進回収等の地球工学的な様々な分野、セメントが関係する土木・建築工学、さらには地球外天体での存在予測等、広範な学術分野でのM-S-H生成や生成量の予測が可能となった。