CapLab, the heart for the enhancement of new decarbonization technologies, launched in Genoa

A center of excellence, the result of a significant collaboration task amongst community and private companions, dedicated to investigation and development pursuits for decarbonization answers with several programs, commencing with the maritime sector: this is the new CapLab, inaugurated currently at Molo Giano, in the coronary heart of the port of Genoa.

The facility will be managed by Ecospray Technologies and the Section of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering (DICCA) of the University of Genoa and is the result of a € 2-million expense.

The inaugural function was attended by numerous authorities, including Giovanni Toti, President of Liguria Area and Marco Bucci, Mayor of Genoa.

CapLab is now operational: its strength lies in the synergy between investigation and field, stemming from the partnership among its two founders, in an alliance that, with the intention of Ecospray and the University of Genoa, aims to advertise progress in science and training that can hopefully have a positive effect on the area.

At the main of CapLab’s functions is study into CO₂ reduction techniques dependent on the use of Molten Carbonated Gas Cells (MCFC), one particular of the three new carbon seize technologies launched by Ecospray in June 2022.

CapLab’s key fields of analysis will be:

• Carbon seize
• Cleanse vitality generation
• Generation and use of hydrogen
• Applications in the maritime sector
• Purposes in the industrial sector (ability era, metal vegetation etc.)
• Integration with renewable resources (bio-LNG, e-methanol)

Especially, CapLab initiatives will be carried out in the areas of scientific exploration (an experimental laboratory for the output and testing of MCFCs, an IT laboratory for cell modeling, joint participation in intercontinental and nationwide study plans, participation in tenders for investigation funding) and education (dissertations and instruction internships, establishment of exploration grants, enhancement of scientific tests, investigate and academic activities, business of teaching pursuits or organization retraining via college training actions).

MCFC carbon capture technology
The carbon seize technological innovation based mostly on Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFCs) produced by Ecospray in collaboration with the DICCA enables the capture of CO2 and, as a secondary benefit, the strength manufacturing. As this sort of, this know-how is regarded as strategic in the context of the electrical power transition, specifically mainly because of its capacity to seize the carbon dioxide in exhaust fumes and make supplemental clean electrical power.

This is definitely a technologically sophisticated answer, but it also ensures the best final results in phrases of lessening emissions, as very well as trying to keep working prices reduced for maritime organizations. The perfect application for this technological innovation is not constrained to a certain form of vessel: it can be used on all styles of engines and with all varieties of fuels.

The software of the MCFC engineering can effectively support the transition from the fossil gas-primarily based era to a long term CO₂-absolutely free era. The first gasoline mobile prototypes will be made at CapLab in the coming months, and the initially on-board exams are scheduled for 2024.

Ecospray’s other two carbon seize systems

The absorption of CO₂ with amines is primarily based on an strategy that is already well-founded in other industrial sectors, which Ecospray has brought to the marine sector to lower the environmental affect and strength use of ships.

The absorption of CO₂ employing calcium hydroxide appears to be as properly an progressive technology in terms of money required for its software and use. The installation of these two technologies on board a ship for a “field” exam phase is imminent.

“We are very pleased to introduce the CapLab, a important task in our progress procedures, in which we have invested greatly. We strongly believe that in the collaboration with a public companion this sort of as the College of Genoa: only by sharing understanding and exploration abilities we can efficiently support organizations in their electrical power transition path towards the ambitious emission reduction targets set by intercontinental bodies this kind of as the IMO”, explained Maurizio Archetti, President of Ecospray.

In accordance to Barbara Bosio, Professor of Used Physical Chemistry at the College of Genoa, “Today, the College sees Ecospray as the best companion to increase far more than 20 yrs of investigation activities that have allowed us to build an superb scientific expertise on MCFCs at the intercontinental stage. This partnership will fortify our primary research and, at the identical time, start out the essential shift from investigation stage to industrial growth. We are thrilled about the CapLab initiative, and we see it as a golden prospect each at a regional stage, and below I’m contemplating of our students, and at the international degree, endorsing a technologically revolutionary option that is strategic in the existing world-wide context of electricity transition”.
Supply: Ecospray