Energy Laboratory
The ICIQ Energy Lab is a facility originally conceived to analyse the products from CO2 reduction reaction but the available instrumentation can be used in a wider purposes, especially in the analysis of environmental pollutants or the analysis of ionic compounds.
About
The Energy Laboratory (E-lab) is a facility originally conceived to analyse the products from CO2 reduction reaction. Gas products coming out of the reaction are analysed by gas chromatography (GC), either online or offline, and products in the liquid phase are analysed by ion chromatography (IC). The laboratory is also equipped with mass flow controllers (MFC) and gas lines to manage the needed gases. Moreover, a potentiostat is available to run electrochemical reduction reaction. E-LAB also have a GC-PDHID system that can analyze the following compounds at ppb levels: O2, O2 , H2, CO, CO2 , Ar, CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6 , C3H8 , N2O, Ethylene Oxide, By quantifying the amount of these compounds. They are also analyzed in a more qualitative manner: SH2 y NOx.
Nevertheless, the lab facilities are available to users for any other suitable purpose.
The two gas chromatographs(GC-FID-TCD) available have special configurations to analyse gas mixtures and study their composition, both from a qualitative and quantitative point of view. This GC configuration allows us to separate and identify the following gases in a mixture: CO, CO2, H2, O2, N2 and hydrocarbons up to C3.
Ion chromatography allows to analyse anions and cations in aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes and polar molecules. The range of application is wide: analysis of ions (halides, acetate, oxalate, formate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, sulfate…etc), peptides, nucleotides, fatty acids, amino acids, or sugars from different sources, such as food, drink, blood plasma, sweat or water.
This laboratory has received funding from Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, FEDER (EQC2018-004783-P) and funding from the Spanish State Research Agency/Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the “Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence Programme 2019” (CEX2019-000925-S, MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, january 2020 – march 2025).
Equipment
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Potentiostat 1: SP-150 from BioLogic Science Instruments
The SP–150e is the only ampere capable electrochemical workstation to boast high-current capability (800 A with boosters), three EIS quality indicators (THD, NSD, NSR) for Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy validation and Ethernet compatibility for improved group-working.
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Potentiostat 2: Autolab Vionic from Metrohm
VIONIC powered by INTELLO combines experimental possibilities, intelligent software, and the most complete data in one setup. Highest combination of specifications in one single instrument. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) up to 10 MHz. Selectable floating allowing you to use any cell you want. Analog scan for accurately measuring processes at the interface. Second sense (S2) for obtaining additional information from the electrochemical cell.
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4 Mass Flow Controllers (MFC)
Alicat Scientific, model Mass Flow Controller, 0-100, SCCM with display. Gas flow products by Alicat Scientific come in mass flow controller and mass flow meter solutions. Gas flow controllers and meters provide mass — or volumetric — flow measurement, accuracy, and lightning fast control.
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Ion Chromatograph 930 Compact IC Flex from Metrohm
There are two possible configurations, one to analyze anions and another one to analyze cations. The ions that can be analyzed are the following: Anions: Acetate, Oxalate, Formiate, Nitrate, Nitrite, Chloride, Bromide and Fluoride and Sulfate. The cations to analyze: Ammonium, Hydroxylamine In addition, many other ions and it’s the ideal solution for pharmaceutical testing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), impurities, and excipients.
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2 Gas chromatographs GC-FID-TCD
6890 Agilent eqquiped with a methanizer and 3 valves. From the gas phase: CO2, Ethene, Ethane, H2, N2, O2, Methane, CO. In addition to the analysis of other gases qualitatively and quantitatively in ppm concentrations.
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Gas chromatograph Agilent 8890 GC fitted with a pulsed discharge helium ionization detector (PDHID)
An Agilent 8890 GC equipped with an off-the-shelf pulsed discharge helium ionization detector (PDHID) was used to detect ppb to low ppm concentrations of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, argon, oxygen, nitrogen, and other impurities in high-purity hydrogen. The GC method provided low detection limits, good reproducibility, and excellent linearity.
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Sampling canisters Air Sampling Canister
1 L, with 3-Port RAVE+ Valve with Gauge. Regulate the collection, storage, and analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using treated air sampling vessels. A unique bracket secures the handle and base to the vessel without welding and protects the vessel, tube end, and valve. The valve is 2/3-turn, with an exceptionally high-quality metal-to-metal seal and metal diaphragms to prevent sample adsorption and achieve more accurate results. Each vessel is lightly pressurized with contaminant-free nitrogen before shipping.
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