MOVA Technologies Partners with VT to Collect and Recycle Pollutants

Pulaski County, VA – MOVA Technologies is partnering with Virginia Tech to to test a filtration system that could have major implications for fossil fuel-burning plants.

MOVA Technologies recently received $50,000 from Governor Ralph Northam as part of the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund Awards to test out prototypes of panel-bed filters. The company is currently in their final stage of testing, which is taking place at VT’s Advanced Power and Propulsion Laboratory. If all goes well, the filters will collect coal fly ash, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide and will be contained in a solid sorbent material for safe transport. These chemicals will then be resold to companies who need them for production.

Joseph Meadows, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at VT, will be analyzing the filters at his test cell lab over the next 6 months. The filters will be tested in variety of operating conditions with various containments to test its efficacy and identify which gases are going through the filter. Additionally, Stephen Martin, VT associate professor of chemical engineering, will play a supporting role as the expert in solid sorbents. Martin will be on hand to modify the solid sorbents as needed during the testing phase.

“We’re pleased to keep development of the panel-bed in Southwest Virginia. The majority of our capital investors are from this region, and the technology is designed for applications that could benefit Virginia’s economy, with a specific emphasis on Southwest Virginia.”

– James Compton, Operations Officer at MOVA Technologies

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this type of carbon filtration technology was not expected to be available until 2030. However, MOVA intends on bringing it to market next year. This system will take up less space as well as reduce costs compared to existing technology. Studies have indicated that the panel-bed could potentially reduce capital and operating costs by 15% and 25%, respectively.

Virginia Tech Knowledge Works conducted a market study that determined this filtration system has the ability to generate annual revenues of between $500 million and $1 billion. The proof-of-concept testing is expected to be complete by March 2020 and from there the company hopes to begin production. Steve Critchfield, MOVA’s president and CEO, wants to bring jobs to Southwest Virginia.

“One thing I’m excited about is these fabrication jobs will pay enough to entice people from Southwest Virginia back who are now on oil rigs and pipelines. I’m hoping this will be a major step toward stopping the exodus of people from Southwest Virginia.” – Steve Critchfield

While there is still quite a bit of testing to be done on these panel-beds, MOVA is already researching ways to expand this technology to the agriculture industry helping to removing hazardous emissions and odorous smells.

Check out MOVA Technologies to learn more about the filtration system process and why this project is so important.

Photo Credits: MOVA Technologies

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