Experimental Laboratories LEAP LAB The world energy scene is dominated by two main themes: the rationalisation of energy use, and the reduction of environmental pollution due to emissions. In this context the LEAP Consortium has set up a laboratory to contribute to technological innovation, estimation of performance, the fine tuning of components and plant for a rational use of energy and the reduction of environmental impact. The inclusion of universities and industry among the members of the Consortium is intended to facilitate communications and collaboration between the world of research and the productive sector. The Laboratory is organised into three testing areas:
heat_box ![]() The heat_box facility is endowed with a test bench for measuring the nominal power and for determining the efficiency at partial and nominal load of low-power boilers according to European regulations.
Boilers can be fuelled by gaseous fuels (methane, mix nitrogen-methane, butane, propane and LPG) and by solid fuels such as biomass. The facility holds the accreditation ISO/IEC 17025 by ACCREDIA for efficiency and emissions tests on boilers fed with solid fuels (up to 100 kW).
CO2_box The carbon capture technology strategies, although based on different physical principles, are united by the production of CO2 flows that are not pure because of the presence of other trace elements or chemical compounds. The knowledge of the thermodynamic properties of these CO2-based mixtures is necessary for the application study of systems and components of carbon capture, transport and storage plants. On the other hand, these data are not currently available in the scientific literature, therefore it is essential to carry out an experimental activity like that one designed and performed by LEAP in the CO2_box facility.
With this experimental facility, LEAP can extend its analysis capabilities to other application areas, such as working fluids for low temperature ORC cycles (Organic Rankine Cycles) and refrigerants.
The table shows at a glance the test capabilities of the CO2_box facility.
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