The laboratory is located at the IGG headquarters within the CNR Area in Pisa. It aims to be a point of reference in research on advanced technologies for reducing CO2
The laboratory focuses on the development and application of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Mineral Carbon Capture and Storage (CCMS), crucial technologies for a sustainable energy transition.
The Laboratory
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): A Solution for the Future
CCS is a cutting-edge technology designed to capture CO₂ generated by hard -to-abate sectorshard-to-abate sectorsand store it in deep geological formations. This process prevents CO₂ from being released into the atmosphere, significantly contributing to the fight against climate change and supporting carbon neutrality goals.
CCMS: The Innovative Alternative
CCMS represents an evolution of CCS, based on the ability of mafic and ultramafic rocks (e.g., basalts, peridotites, and serpentinites) to chemically react with CO₂. Through the process of mineral carbonation, CO₂ is transformed into stable carbonates (e.g., magnesite, calcite) and stored permanently for geological time.
This approach also extends to the use of industrial residues rich in calcium and magnesium, such as slag from steel mills and cement plants, offering a sustainable solution for recycling waste materials and reducing emissions. CCMS not only promotes a low-carbon future CO2, but also contributes to a circular economy and the "end of waste" of industrial waste.
The Role of the CCS Lab
The CCS Lab is dedicated to researching CCS and CCMS technologies in diverse geological contexts, with a particular focus on the Mediterranean region. Thanks to a multidisciplinary approach, cutting-edge instrumentation, and consolidated experience integrated with machine learning methods and geological modeling, the lab addresses the most complex scientific challenges, including:
- Study of natural carbonation processes in mafic and ultramafic rocks
- Identifying optimal carbonation conditions
- Evaluating the effectiveness of CCMS technologies
- Mapping of sites suitable for CO2 storage in Italy
- Pre-feasibility and monitoring studies for CCS and CCMS plants
- Developing effective and sustainable solutions for large-scale implementation
The CCS Lab's multidisciplinary approach enables the translation of scientific discoveries into applicable solutions, promoting a sustainable and innovative energy transition.
Contribution to Environmental Sustainability
Thanks to ongoing research and innovation, the CCS Lab is at the forefront of the field of carbon storage, offering concrete answers to the global challenges of climate change, combining cutting-edge research with applications to accelerate decarbonization.
Learn more about the CCS Lab's work and join us in the challenge for a low-carbon future.
Instruments
The laboratory's equipment allows for petrographic and mineralogical analysis of rock samples, monitoring the concentration of CO2 in the air in various contexts and the isotopic composition of carbon and oxygen, and processing solid samples to prepare them for subsequent analysis to study their genesis, provenance, and alteration.
The laboratory is equipped with the following tools:
- Portable IRIS-Delta Ray (ThermoFischer Scientific) for the determination of CO2 concentration and its carbon and oxygen isotopic composition using laser technology.
- Sample pretreatment using: binocular microscope, precision balances, ultrasonic bath, medium and high temperature ovens.
- Microwaves and apparatus for experimental reactions.
- Off-line preparation line for the determination of 18O/16O and 13C/12C ratios of impure and mixed carbonates (with sequential extraction) and low % carbonate samples.
- NewTec Scientific cold cathodoluminescence system NewTec Scientific coupled to an optical microscope.
- XRD for mineralogical characterization.
- Bruker Portable XRF for field measurements.
Staff and Contacts
Staff:
- Dr. Chiara Boschi (Laboratory Manager)
- Dr. Andrea Rielli
- Dr. Ilaria Baneschi
- Dr. Andrea Dini
- Dr. Eugenio Trumpy
Contacts: ccs.lab@igg.cnr.it
