Tuesday, 10 September 2024
LightNET Carbon Capture Completes a Successful Pilot Test for CO2 Capture
This ICN2 and CSIC spin-off, committed to researching materials and solutions for capturing carbon dioxide at the industry emission point and reducing its atmospheric levels, has demonstrated the efficacy of one of its products in a space provided by the company SACYR.
LightNet Carbon Capture is a CSIC and ICN2 company focused on researching materials and solutions for the capture, storage, and valorisation of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). One of its primary initiatives, CO2atings®, was recently evaluated in a facility provided by the collaborating company SACYR. This project, aimed at developing mortars for building cladding, successfully demonstrated its effectiveness in capturing CO2 during this pilot test.
Why is capturing atmospheric CO2 important?
Capturing and storing CO2 from the air is a key strategy to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, in turn, mitigate the climate crisis.
The spin-off LightNet Carbon Capture was founded by ICN2 researchers with this goal in mind. Their solution implements a highly efficient technology based on a CO2 fixation process into an accelerated ex-situ mineralization process that mimics natural processes occurring in some rock mineral deposits such as dolomites or evaporites.
What did the pilot test involve?
LightNET Carbon Capture has been collaborating with SACYR to validate a solution for capturing CO₂ from building surfaces. Specifically, the test was conducted on temporary structures, effectively simulating the real conditions and environment of a construction site.
In this pilot test, the CO2 absorption capacity was assessed as a function of the orientation of the facade on which it was applied. To accomplish this, the CO2ating® mortar was applied to four facades with varying orientations (north, south, east, and west) and periodic samples of the substance were collected for a month. Eugènia Riqué, Head of Quality and Environment at SACYR in Catalonia, was in charge of the general management of the current pilot. The application was carried out with the implementation partner Estucs Jobert and led by LightNET project manager Pedro Pastor (from the Advanced Electron Nanoscopy Group, headed by ICREA Prof. Jordi Arbiol) and LightNET CSO Amador Perez.
This innovative mortar has been proven to be an effective alternative and offers significant advantages:
- It is possible to obtain it from earth-abundant raw materials and industrial waste.
- It presents an opportunity to promote the circular economy and the use of building materials with a lower environmental footprint.
- It has an aesthetic surface without cracks.
- Even immediately after application, it can withstand rain and moisture.
- It is compatible with various building materials, including Portland cement, concrete, and asphalt.
- Zero energy consumption, high speed and CO2 capture efficiency.
ICN2 is delighted with the success of this project, and we are confident that many more will be achieved in the future.
