News From 2024
The collection of the 2024 news from the ERGO activities
ERGO at PhD Corner
Our PhD student Vladimir Naumov presented his latest results on:
"Supercritical CO2 Cycle for the Next Generation of Concentrated Solar Power Plants." ☀️ 💡
The PhD Corner, organized by student representatives, provides an excellent platform for PhD students to share their research with the entire academic community of the Engineering Departments. 🏗️📚
🌟 News from the DESOLINATION Project! 🌊☀️
The 6th progress meeting of the H2020 DESOLINATION project was hosted by Baker Hughes in Florence, Italy, on December 10–11.
Our group is contributing to the project by identifying the most promising CO2 blends, with a focus on:
🔍 Compound identification
🔥 Thermal characteristics
🛠️ Material compatibility, in collaboration with Metallurgy group.
For more info about the project: https://desolination.eu/
MACBETH Project last meeting - December 2024
All good things come to an end! ✨
The final consortium meeting of the MACBETH Project, held in Dortmund, was a perfect occasion to celebrate the achievements and collaborative efforts of the past five years. 🎉
The two-day event, organized by the coordinator Evonik, featured both social activities—such as a visit to the Borussia Dortmund Stadium ⚽️—and technical highlights, including a tour of the demo plants developed during the project. 🏭
Congratulations to all the partners for this incredible journey! 👏
Read the full story here: https://www.macbeth-project.eu/senza-categoria/final-consortium-meeting/
Paper from MACBETH Project! - November 2024
See one of the last publication from the MACBETH Project published in the Journal of Membrane Science.
This collaborative work with Politecnico di Milano and Eindhoven University of Technology explores an Effectiveness-MTU modeling approach for membrane reactors, with a specific focus on hydrogen separation. 👨🔬 💡
The final SCARABEUS Project paper! - November 2024
Check out the final paper from the SCARABEUSPROJECT , led by our colleagues at Technische Universität Wien in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano. This publication presents the Experimental Evaluation of the CO₂-based Mixture CO₂/C₆F₆ in a recuperated transcritical cycle. 🌡️🔋
The experimental campaign, conducted at the TU Wien test facility, brings valuable insights into the performance of CO₂ mixtures for advanced energy applications.
A great achievement for all involved! 👏📑
New publication in Energy Conversion and Management! - October 2024
"Analysis of the CO2 + C2Cl4 mixture in high-temperature heat pumps: Experimental thermal stability, liquid densities, and cycle simulations."
Authors: Ettore Morosini, Michele Doninelli, Gioele Di Marcoberardino, Paolo Iora, Mauro Riva, Paolo Stringari, Giampaolo Manzolini
🔍 Highlights:
CO2 + C2Cl4 introduced as a novel working fluid for high-temperature heat pumps, ideal for spray drying applications.
Experimental testing confirms thermal stability at target temperatures.
Liquid density measurements enable precise thermodynamic modeling.
🔑 Findings:
CO2 + C2Cl4 (96% CO2) outperforms pure fluids like propane in volumetric heating capacity (VHC) and compressor performance.
The mixture’s large glide during evaporation delivers higher COP (74% second law efficiency) and improved compression characteristics, ideal for sensible heat sources and sinks.
Check out the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2024.119145
News from SolarPACES 2024 in Rome! - October 2024
Our PhD student Vladimir Naumov attended the SolarPACES 2024 Conference in Rome, where he presented his latest research paper on the design of Shell & Tube heat exchangers for CO2 + SiCl4 mixtures in CSP applications.
This research was conducted in collaboration with Brembana & Rolle S.p.A. and is part of the PhD Doctoral Network TOPCSP. 👨🔬🔬.
New paper online! - OCtober 2024
"High-temperature electrolysis integrated with advanced power cycles for the combined production of green hydrogen, heat, and power" has been published in Energy Conversion and Management journal. 📄 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2024.119121
Our PhD student, Mattia Baiguini, led this study on coupling high-temperature SOEC with advanced power cycles, making hydrogen production more efficient and cost-effective. 💡⚡️💧
The paper analyzes the integration of a hydrogen production system utilizing high-temperature SOEC with a power block fueled by the incineration of municipal solid waste. The system achieves hydrogen production efficiencies up to 76% and a levelized cost as low as 2€/kg, thanks to simultaneous electricity and hot water production for district heating (up to 10 MW and 4 MW respectively). 🔥♻️
This paper was partly funded by the project HICLOPS (PRIN 2022).
New paper from MACBETH Project! - October 2024
The paper "Modeling of enzymatic transesterification for omega-3 fatty acids enrichment in fish oil" is officially published in Food Chemistry journal! 📚✨
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141379
In collaboration with our colleagues from PoliMi and TU Eindhoven, this study reveals how different assumptions on acid distribution can significantly impact the composition of acylglycerols. A kinetic model is developed comparing two scenarios: one with identical acids per acylglycerol and another with random distribution. 🧬🔍
This research is part of the MACBETH Project, contributing to advancements in sustainable and efficient omega-3 enrichment techniques. 🌍
World's top 2% scientists - October 2024
Our dear Prof. Invernizzi i has been listed among the "World's Top 2% Scientists"! 🌍✨
His scientific contributions focus on energy conversion systems and innovative thermodynamic engines, including heat engines, inverse cycles, and the study of Rankine cycles with organic working fluids. He has also made significant advancements in the thermodynamic properties and thermochemical stability of working fluids for both Rankine and gas cycles.🎓💡
Congratulations to Costante and to all UniBs colleagues! 👏
News From the USA - September 2024
Our PhD student Mattia Baiguini has started his research abroad at the HERD Lab with Prof. Luca Mastropasqua, Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 🧑🔬✨
Mattia will be working on power generation systems and carbon utilization technologies. ⚡🌍
Mattia is part of the PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change.🌱🎓
ERGO at the Conference on Sustainable Mobility – CSM2024 - September 2024
Post-Doc Daniele Beltrami and Prof. Paolo Iora are attending the Conference on Sustainable Mobility – CSM2024 by SAE International in Catania, Italy.
Daniele presented two works:
These research papers were conducted in collaboration with Prof. Stefano Uberti and colleagues from Università degli Studi Niccolò Cusano and The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research.
Paper online on new working fluid for HT heat pump and ORC cycle - September 2024
We are excited to announce that the paper titled "Fluorobenzene as Working Fluid for High-Temperature Heat Pump and ORC: Thermal Stability Test with Advanced Approach and Chemical Analysis" has been published in the Energy Conversion and Management journal by Elsevier. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2024.119023
This article, led by PhD student Michele Doninelli, introduces Fluorobenzene for the first time as a versatile working fluid suitable for both high-temperature heat pumps (HTHP) and organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems. The fluid has low cost, zero GWP and ODP values, and it is not classified as PFAS substance (which are under restriction). The thermo-chemical stability of Fluorobenzene is experimentally investigated using an advanced procedure that simulates the presence of a non-condensable gases removal system under real ORC operating conditions. The observed rate of unimolecular decomposition is less than 4% per year at 350°C, and even after 400 hours of thermal stress no evident decomposition products were detected in the liquid phase through FTIR spectroscopy, ensuring that the fluid does not convert into aromatic derivatives such as benzene.
In a case-study of direct heat exchange from exhaust gases available at 390°C, Fluorobenzene achieves a net power production higher than other commercial fluids, reaching an exergy efficiency of 68%. In a subcritical two-stage throttling HTHP delivering heat at 180°C, to meet the industrial steam demand, Fluorobenzene shows a good COP of 3.25 with a 100°C temperature lift. 💡♨🏡
We would like to thank Ivano Alessandri for the collaboration and for the support with the FTIR analysis.
This paper is part of the HICLOPS and COFFEE projects.
ERGO at the 2024 SDEWES Conference - September 2024
Our PhD candidate Matteo Galloni attended the recent SDEWES Centre Conference in Rome, where he presented our research on cryogenic distillation for biogas upgrading.
His research is in collaboration with Gruppo AB - Energy Sustainability, playing a key role in bridging the gap between academic research and real-world technology. 🏫 🏭
Paper with UniBs colleagues - September 2024
📢 We're happy to share that the paper "Agricultural Tractor Bogie Axle Adoption: Market Opportunities and Traction and Ground Pressure Improvements Through Mobility Metrics and Simulations" is now online! 📢
Led by Prof. Stefano Uberti, with co-authors PhD student Marco Ferrari, Post Doc Daniele Beltrami and Prof. Paolo Iora, the paper explores the bogie axle as a solution to combine the benefits of both tracks and wheeled machinery. The study includes a market analysis and compares a typical MFWD agricultural tractor with and without the bogie axle, focusing on ground pressure, pulling force, and vehicle dynamics. 🚜
Check it out for more insights! It's OA until 31/10/2024: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jterra.2024.101013
ASME TURBO EXPO 2024 PAPERS - September 2024
The conference papers from the ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Turbo Expo 2024 are now online. In particular:
1) "Evaluating the Energy Recovery Potential in Industrial Gas Pipeline Networks: A Preliminary Analysis of Gas Expander Applications for Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Hydrogen" – Led by our PhD candidate, Mattia Baiguini, this paper explores ways to recover energy in industrial gas pipelines. https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2024-121397
2) "Preliminary Characterization of the Desalination Project Demo Plant: Design and Off-Design Operability" – This work, led by our dear colleague Ettore Morosini, in collaboration with other project partners, provides an in-depth look at the pilot plant of the H2020 DESOLINATION project. https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2024-127246
ORC 2023 CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS - June 2024
The conference proceedings of the 7th International Seminar on ORC Power Systems (ORC2023) are now available online. You can read the works of our PhD candidates Michele Doninelli and Mattia Baiguini at the following links:
Mattia's paper was done in collaboration with colleagues from the GECOS group and was selected for a special issue in the Applied Thermal Engineering journal.
Congratulations to Michele and Mattia for their work! 🎉
Publication on CCHP System Adopting CO2 Mixture Power Cycle - June 2024
"Small Scale CO2-Based Trigeneration Plants in Heat Recovery Applications: A Case Study for the Residential Sector in Northern Italy" has been published in Elsevier journal Applied Thermal Engineering! DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.123943
This study, led by our PhD candidate Mattia Baiguini, demonstrates the potential of using CO2 mixture power cycles in trigeneration applications, highlighting the benefits of condensing temperature glide and high efficiency. The case study focuses on the city of Milan. 💡 🔥 ❄
This research was conducted in collaboration with Ettore Morosini, Dario Alfani, Giampaolo Manzolini and Marco Astolfi from the Politecnico di Milano.
Mattia is part of the PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change, and this paper is featured in the special issue for the 7th International Seminar on ORC Power Systems.
ERGO AT TURBO EXPO 2024 - June 2024
Turbo Expo by ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers) has been held in London! Our PhD candidate Mattia Baiguini attended the event and presented a work on the potential use of gas expanders in the industrial gases (N2, O2, and H2) pipeline distribution system. 🔋 🏭
Mattia is part of the PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change.
New paper about a new apparatus for VLE! - June 2024
"Experimental Isochoric Apparatus for Bubble Points Determination: Application to CO2 Binary Mixtures as Advanced Working Fluids" has been published in International Journal of Thermofluids. Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijft.2024.100742
The article is led by PhD candidate Michele Doninelli, who developed an experimental apparatus and methodology to measure vapour-liquid equilibrium conditions of mixtures in our Fluid Test Laboratory. A particular focus is given to CO2-binary mixtures as innovative working fluids in transcritical power cycles (H2020 DESOLINATION project). Bubble points of CO2 mixtures with n-pentane, C6F6, and c-C4F8 have been measured allowing the refinement of equations of state.
The apparatus distinguishes for its low cost compared to traditional setups, without compromising the accuracy.
Publication on biogas upgrading! - June 2024
PhD Candidate Matteo Galloni and Prof. Gioele Di Marcoberardino published a work in the Energies MDPI journal. Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/en17122907
The purpose of this research is to investigate a variety of approaches to the conversion of biomass, with a particular emphasis on employing anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading systems. An analysis of the existing technologies is performed, with a focus on highlighting the benefits and downsides of each alternative. 🌳⚡
NEWS FORM GERMANY - June 2024
Our PhD candidate, Vladimir Naumov, has begun his period abroad at RWTH Aachen University as part of the TOPCSP Project. During this period, Vladimir will study the performance (both design and off-design) of a CSP plant using a supercritical cycle with a CO2 mixture.
ERGO GROUP AT WETS WORKSHOP - May 2024
On the last week of May, few members of our group attended the annual "Workshop on Energy Technologies and Systems" organized by the GECOS Group of PoliMi in Volterra. It was an opportunity to learn about various ongoing projects, present our activities, and explore this beautiful part of Italy with a visit to Larderello.