At this state-of-the-art facility, teams of researchers focus on assessing the environmental compatibility of combustion and geothermal processes, as well as the efficiency of pollutant removal systems.
Emission Sampling and Analysis
The first step involves the creation of emissions samples for analysis, either through the use of online tools or large-scale laboratory facilities. Then the concentration of NOx, SOx, O2, CO, CO2 and organic hydrocarbons contained in the fumes is measured, while checks are carried out for traces of compounds such as mercury, hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hydrofluoric acid (HF).
Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
For over 20 years this laboratory has been analysing fuels, process fluids and deposits, and in that time has developed techniques for the physio-chemical characterisation of solid fuels such as:
- Coal
- municipal solid waste
- refuse-derived fuel (RDF)
- biomass
And liquid fuels like:
- oil fuel
- biodiesel
- gaseous fuel
The methods used for fuel characterisation run according to ISO, ASTM, IP, DIN, NOM and UNI regulations, and are coupled with the study of inorganic compounds (the use of atomic fluorescence spectroscopy to analyse arsenic and selenium, for example), using more complex tools like ICP-OES, ICP-MS, ion chromatography and electron microscopy.
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
The Pisa laboratory specialises in the study of organic micropollutants: dioxins (PCDDs); polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are often found in trace amounts in environmental matrices. The existence of these compounds in exhaust emissions from thermal power generation plants can be determined by following standard methods like UNI, ISO, EPA. Sophisticated sample processing techniques and advanced analytical equipment are used, such as GC-MS and HPLC. The lab also studies micropollutant abatement processes.
