CCS Lab

Welcome to the CCS Lab: Research and Scientific Innovation for the Energy Transition

Store Carbon, Free the Future

The CCS Lab aims to be a key player in advancing technologies to reduce CO₂ emissions. Established within the Institute of Geosciences and Georesources, the lab focuses on developing and applying Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Mineral Carbon Capture and Storage (CCMS), technologies essential for a sustainable energy transition.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): A Solution for the Future

CCS is a cutting-edge technology designed to capture CO₂ from hard-to-abate industrial sectors and store it in deep geological formations. This process prevents CO₂ from entering the atmosphere, making a significant contribution to combating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality goals.

CCMS: The Innovative Alternative

CCMS builds upon CCS by utilizing mafic and ultramafic rocks (e.g., basalts, peridotites, serpentinites) that chemically react with CO₂. Through mineral carbonation, CO₂ is converted into stable carbonates (e.g., magnesite, calcite) and stored permanently over geological timescales.

This approach also involves using industrial by-products rich in calcium and magnesium, such as steelmaking and cement residues, providing a sustainable solution for recycling waste materials and reducing emissions. CCMS not only paves the way for a low-carbon future but also fosters a circular economy and helps achieve “end of waste” goals for industrial residues.

The Role of the CCS Lab

The CCS Lab conducts research on CCS and CCMS technologies across diverse geological contexts, with a particular focus on the Mediterranean region. Combining multidisciplinary expertise, state-of-the-art instrumentation, and advanced methods like machine learning and geological modeling, the lab tackles complex challenges such as:

• Investigating natural carbonation processes in mafic and ultramafic rocks
• Identifying optimal conditions for mineral carbonation
• Assessing the effectiveness of CCMS technologies
• Mapping suitable CO₂ storage sites in Italy
• Conducting feasibility studies and monitoring for CCS and CCMS facilities
• Developing scalable, sustainable solutions for large-scale implementation

The CCS Lab’s multidisciplinary approach bridges cutting-edge research with practical applications, driving innovation and supporting a sustainable energy transition.

Contributing to Environmental Sustainability

Through constant research and innovation, the CCS Lab leads the way in carbon storage technologies, offering tangible solutions to global climate challenges. By combining pioneering science with practical applications, the lab accelerates decarbonization efforts.

Learn more about the CCS Lab’s activities and join us in shaping a low-carbon future.

Instruments

The lab’s advanced instrumentation enables petrographic and mineralogical analysis of rock samples, CO₂ concentration monitoring in various settings, and isotopic composition analysis of carbon and oxygen. It also supports sample preparation for further studies on material genesis, origin, and alteration.

Available instruments include:

• Sample Preparation Tools: binocular microscope, precision scales, ultrasonic bath, medium- and high-temperature furnaces
• Microwave and experimental reaction systems
• Offline Preparation Line: for determining ¹⁸O/¹⁶O and ¹³C/¹²C ratios in impure/mixed carbonates and low-carbonate samples (via sequential extraction)
• Cold Cathodoluminescence System: NewTec Scientific, coupled with an optical microscope
• XRD for mineralogical characterization
• Portable XRF (Bruker): for field measurements
• IRIS-Delta Ray (ThermoFisher Scientific): portable system for CO₂ concentration and isotopic composition analysis using laser technology

Team

The CCS Lab is driven by a dedicated team of experts:

• Chiara Boschi
• Andrea Rielli
• Ilaria Baneschi
• Andrea Dini
• Eugenio Trumpy
• Lisa Ricci
• Abimbola Chris Ogunyele

Contact: ccs.lab@igg.cnr.it