Mantra's Alternative Approach Yields Performance Boost
May 13 2013 - 9:30AM
Marketwired
Mantra Energy Alternatives Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Mantra Venture Group Ltd. (OTCQB:MVTG)(BERLIN:5MV), announced today
that developmental work on an alternative approach to its
technology has resulted in significant breakthroughs. These
breakthroughs will reportedly translate to a greatly improved
performance for Mantra's proprietary technology, the
"Electro-Reduction of Carbon Dioxide" (ERC).
Results from this work, which is based on a novel cathode
structure and material composition, show improvements in catalytic
surface area, energy consumption, and pressure requirements. The
new cathodes exhibit a catalytic surface area to volume ratio of
more than ten times that of previous designs, and have the
potential to reach much higher values. This dramatic increase in
surface area will correspond to either a reduction in capital cost
due to increased current density or a reduction in operating costs
and energy consumption due to decreased voltage requirements. The
cathodes further show excellent performance at atmospheric
pressures and a significant reduction in pressure drop through the
reactor. These reductions in pressure requirements will similarly
ease design and operation and reduce corresponding costs.
According to CTO Patrick Dodd, "This alternative cathode
approach, which has been developed in parallel with our
conventional approach, has proven incredibly effective. We are only
in the early stages of exploring its ultimate potential."
Mantra's President, Larry Kristof, commented, "We welcome Mr.
Dodd to Mantra's Board of Directors. He brings a good understanding
of CCU technologies and will be an invaluable member of the team.
We also want to wish the best to Tom Unger, who has departed
Mantra's Board due to health issues."
Mantra has also announced that Mr. Dodd has joined the Board of
Directors of Mantra Venture Group, where he will serve as a direct
link between the laboratory and the board room.
Finally, Mantra is pleased to welcome UBC Co-op students Robert
Mings and Koowarbir Singh to the new lab in Burnaby. Mechanical and
Chemical Engineering students respectively, the two will be
operating a new experimental setup to identify new products and
thus broaden the capabilities of ERC.
"It's great to have these two on board," says Mr. Kristof.
"Frankly, we need as many hands in the lab as possible to
capitalize on all the opportunities presented by this
technology."
About ERC
ERC, or the "Electro-Reduction of Carbon Dioxide", is a form of
"carbon capture and utilization" (CCU) that converts the pollutant
carbon dioxide into useful, valuable products including formic acid
and formate salts. By utilizing clean electricity, the process
offers the potential for an industrial plant to reduce emissions
while generating a salable product and a profit.
About Mantra Energy Alternatives
Mantra Energy Alternatives Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Mantra Venture Group Ltd., aims to become a world leader in the
production of high-value, carbon-negative chemicals and fuels.
Mantra is currently developing the ERC process, which will
initially produce formic acid and formate salts from carbon
dioxide, and will eventually be capable of generating a wide
variety of products. The company seeks to simultaneously reduce
anthropogenic carbon emissions, which total over 30 billion tones
each year from fuel combustion alone, and generate value.
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For more information go to:
http://www.mantraventuregroup.com
Forward-looking statements: Except for the historical
information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press
release are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ
materially from those described in forward-looking statements and
are subject to risks and uncertainties. See Mantra Venture Group's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which identify
specific factors that may cause actual results or events to differ
materially from those described in forward-looking statements.
Contacts: Mantra Venture Group Ltd. John Williams Investor
Relations (604) 495-1766 (Canada) (502) 214-5932
(USA)mantraenergy@aberdeencap.com Mantra Venture Group Ltd. (404)
560-1503info@mantraenergy.com www.mantraventuregroup.com