[SOLVED] CH7001 Environmental Impact of Energy Utilisation R

CH7001 — Environmental Impact of Energy Utilisation

Continuous assessment

In the same folder where you can download this continuous assessment handout, you will find and download the crystal index files (CIF) for six carbonate minerals: calcite, monohydrocalcite, vaterite, aragonite, ikaite, and CCH (calcium carbonate hemihydrate).

These minerals are by-products of carbonation reactions, and some of them can form. during the course of carbon capture and storage processes. You are required to use the visualization and analysis software VESTA to explore the crystal structures of these minerals.

Question 1: Structural Analysis of Carbonate Minerals

Using VESTA, perform. a detailed structural analysis of the  carbonate minerals provided. In your response, include the following aspects:

•     Composition: Identify the chemical formula of each mineral and its constituent elements.

•     Coordination  polyhedra:  Describe  the  types  of coordination  polyhedra  (e.g.,  tetrahedra, octahedra)  surrounding  the  central  atoms,  specifically  focusing  on  the  cations  and  their coordination with surrounding anions.

•    Arrangement of polyhedra: Explain how the coordination polyhedra are interconnected or arranged within the mineral structure. Are they isolated, sharing corners, edges, or faces?

•     Other structural features: Highlight any significant structural features such as layers, chains, or frameworks, or specific bonds that are evident.

Question 2: Mineral Stability Based on Structure

Based on the structural analysis conducted in Question 1, discuss the potential stability of each mineral under  different  environmental  conditions  (e.g.,  temperature,  pressure,  chemical  environment). Consider the following:

•    Bond Strength: How do the bond types and coordination environments influence the mineral’s stability?

•     Structural Features: Does the arrangement of the coordination polyhedra suggest any inherent strengths or weaknesses in the mineral’s structure? For instance, are there any indications of structural robustness or susceptibility to chemical breakdown or alteration?

Be sure to justify your conclusions with reference to the specific mineral structures you examined in VESTA.

VESTA download page: https://jp-minerals.org/vesta/en/download.html