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Prof. Antonio Piacentino
Department of Energy, Information Engineering and Mathematical Models, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo (PA), Italy

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Process Integration
0 exergy analysis
0 Thermoeconomics
0 District Heating and Cooling
0 Cogeneration and trigeneration systems

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Thermoeconomics
Cogeneration and trigeneration systems
exergy analysis
District Heating and Cooling
Process Integration
Heat exchanger networks design

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Journal article
Published: 19 April 2021 in Energy Conversion and Management
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Salinity Gradient Power-Heat Engine is an innovative technology able to convert very low-temperature heat into electricity. Energy and economic benefits could be achieved by integrating this technology into cogeneration plants, where the exploitation of waste heat available during the operation could increase the revenues arising from “High-Efficiency” labels. For the first time, this paper proposes two potential applications in this field, and three illustrative case studies are purposely investigated. In the first case study, a salinity gradient-heat engine converts the waste heat available from a cogeneration plant serving an industrial process. In the second case study, a salinity gradient-heat engine is integrated into a cogeneration plant coupled to a district network. In the third case study, the possibility to reduce the size of a cogeneration plant by coupling this engine with a heat pump is investigated. The analysis relied on simplified models of the integrated systems which were numerically solved. Results for the first case study show an increase of 10.6% in revenues from the high-efficiency support mechanism and electricity selling. In the second case study, the primary energy saving increases from 8.7% up to 10.1%, thus achieving the threshold value for “High-Efficiency” eligibility. In the third case study, the heat engine allows to reduce up to 12.1% the nominal capacity of the prime mover. A prospective analysis of the integration of salinity gradient-heat engine in cogeneration plants is thus presented, and it poses a fundamental reference for future integration of this novel technology into these energy systems.

ACS Style

P. Catrini; A. Cipollina; G. Micale; A. Piacentino; A. Tamburini. Potential applications of salinity gradient power-heat engines for recovering low-temperature waste heat in cogeneration plants. Energy Conversion and Management 2021, 237, 114135 .

AMA Style

P. Catrini, A. Cipollina, G. Micale, A. Piacentino, A. Tamburini. Potential applications of salinity gradient power-heat engines for recovering low-temperature waste heat in cogeneration plants. Energy Conversion and Management. 2021; 237 ():114135.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P. Catrini; A. Cipollina; G. Micale; A. Piacentino; A. Tamburini. 2021. "Potential applications of salinity gradient power-heat engines for recovering low-temperature waste heat in cogeneration plants." Energy Conversion and Management 237, no. : 114135.

Journal article
Published: 22 February 2021 in Energies
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Energy consumed for air conditioning in residential and tertiary sectors accounts for a large share of global use. To reduce the environmental impacts burdening the covering of such demands, the adoption of renewable energy technologies is increasing. In this regard, this paper evaluates the energy and environmental benefits achievable by integrating a dish-Stirling concentrator into energy systems used for meeting the air conditioning demand of an office building. Two typical reference energy plants are assumed: (i) a natural gas boiler for heating purposes and air-cooled chillers for the cooling periods, and (ii) a reversible heat pump for both heating and cooling. For both systems, a dish-Stirling concentrator is assumed to operate first in electric-mode and then in a cogenerative-mode. Detailed models are adopted for plant components and implemented in the TRNSYS environment. Results show that when the concentrator is operating in electric-mode the electricity purchased from the grid decreases by about 72% for the first plant, and 65% for the second plant. Similar reductions are obtained for CO2 emissions. Even better performance may be achieved in the case of the cogenerative-mode. In the first plant, the decrease in natural gas consumption is about 85%. In the second plant, 66.7% is the percentage increase in avoided electricity purchase. The integration of the dish-Stirling system allows promising energy-saving and reduction in CO2 emissions. However, both a reduction in capital cost and financial support are needed to encourage the diffusion of this technology.

ACS Style

Stefania Guarino; Pietro Catrini; Alessandro Buscemi; Valerio Lo Brano; Antonio Piacentino. Assessing the Energy-Saving Potential of a Dish-Stirling Con-Centrator Integrated Into Energy Plants in the Tertiary Sector. Energies 2021, 14, 1163 .

AMA Style

Stefania Guarino, Pietro Catrini, Alessandro Buscemi, Valerio Lo Brano, Antonio Piacentino. Assessing the Energy-Saving Potential of a Dish-Stirling Con-Centrator Integrated Into Energy Plants in the Tertiary Sector. Energies. 2021; 14 (4):1163.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Guarino; Pietro Catrini; Alessandro Buscemi; Valerio Lo Brano; Antonio Piacentino. 2021. "Assessing the Energy-Saving Potential of a Dish-Stirling Con-Centrator Integrated Into Energy Plants in the Tertiary Sector." Energies 14, no. 4: 1163.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2020 in Energy Conversion and Management
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ACS Style

P. Catrini; A. Piacentino; F. Cardona; G. Ciulla. Exergoeconomic analysis as support in decision-making for the design and operation of multiple chiller systems in air conditioning applications. Energy Conversion and Management 2020, 220, 1 .

AMA Style

P. Catrini, A. Piacentino, F. Cardona, G. Ciulla. Exergoeconomic analysis as support in decision-making for the design and operation of multiple chiller systems in air conditioning applications. Energy Conversion and Management. 2020; 220 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P. Catrini; A. Piacentino; F. Cardona; G. Ciulla. 2020. "Exergoeconomic analysis as support in decision-making for the design and operation of multiple chiller systems in air conditioning applications." Energy Conversion and Management 220, no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 25 March 2020 in Applied Energy
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The food sector is a major consumer of energy and growing efforts are being made in the search for solutions that will guarantee the efficient and sustainable use of energy resources. Among the different sectors, wineries are attracting particular interest due to the continuous growth of the global market and production. Surveys conducted in the winemaking sector have highlighted the importance of performing accurate energy audits and have identified the installation of efficient refrigeration systems as a promising solution in a variety of cases. Unfortunately, the savings achievable by efficient cooling technologies are often estimated using simplified approaches which do not take into consideration the actual operating conditions of the equipment typically variable on seasonal and daily bases. In this paper a novel bottom-up procedure is presented, aimed at developing reliable profiles for refrigeration and air-conditioning loads and at assessing the extent to which more efficient chilling units could contribute to reducing electricity consumption. The use of standard Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios is critically discussed and a novel customized indicator is proposed. The method is applied to a medium-scale winery producing still red and white wines and sparkling wines, for which only aggregated energy consumption data are available. After deriving detailed load profiles, it is proven that the use of standard seasonal indicators leads to 56.85% and 83.87% overestimation of potential energy savings, respectively, for low and medium temperature cooling energy uses, confirming the importance of adopting seasonal indicators customized on the actual operating conditions of chillers.

ACS Style

P. Catrini; D. Panno; F. Cardona; A. Piacentino. Characterization of cooling loads in the wine industry and novel seasonal indicator for reliable assessment of energy saving through retrofit of chillers. Applied Energy 2020, 266, 114856 .

AMA Style

P. Catrini, D. Panno, F. Cardona, A. Piacentino. Characterization of cooling loads in the wine industry and novel seasonal indicator for reliable assessment of energy saving through retrofit of chillers. Applied Energy. 2020; 266 ():114856.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P. Catrini; D. Panno; F. Cardona; A. Piacentino. 2020. "Characterization of cooling loads in the wine industry and novel seasonal indicator for reliable assessment of energy saving through retrofit of chillers." Applied Energy 266, no. : 114856.

Editorial
Published: 31 October 2019 in Energy
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ACS Style

Antonio Piacentino; Pietro Catrini; Natasa Markovska; Zvonimir Guzović; Brian Vad Mathiesen; Simone Ferrari; Neven Duić; Henrik Lund. Editorial: Sustainable development of energy, Water and Environment Systems. Energy 2019, 190, 116432 .

AMA Style

Antonio Piacentino, Pietro Catrini, Natasa Markovska, Zvonimir Guzović, Brian Vad Mathiesen, Simone Ferrari, Neven Duić, Henrik Lund. Editorial: Sustainable development of energy, Water and Environment Systems. Energy. 2019; 190 ():116432.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonio Piacentino; Pietro Catrini; Natasa Markovska; Zvonimir Guzović; Brian Vad Mathiesen; Simone Ferrari; Neven Duić; Henrik Lund. 2019. "Editorial: Sustainable development of energy, Water and Environment Systems." Energy 190, no. : 116432.

Review article
Published: 07 June 2019 in Energy
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The environmental impact of the energy sector and the security and economics of energy supply and utilization have been raising increasing concerns, stimulating the search for innovative solutions for a sustainable use of resources. This article provides an overview of published research in this area, with a focus on papers contributed in special issues of leading journals dedicated to the series of Conferences on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES), including the articles in the current special issue. Based on this review, research trends are identified and achievements supporting the energy transition are highlighted. The studies that focused on regional or urban energy planning have aimed at (a) increasing penetration of renewable energy sources, (b) optimizing the mix of centralized and distributed technologies (c) introducing additional flexibility in the power sector and (d) identifying solutions for sustainable heating. Conversely, researches focused on single plants or users have targeted the development of technologies for efficient energy use in industry and buildings, with emphasis on multi-generation and waste heat utilisation. The review highlights that future scenarios based on sustainable energy systems are viable, although their implementation will require further efforts by researchers and investors and active involvement of consumers.

ACS Style

Antonio Piacentino; Neven Duic; Natasa Markovska; Brian Vad Mathiesen; Zvonimir Guzović; Valerie Eveloy; Henrik Lund. Sustainable and cost-efficient energy supply and utilisation through innovative concepts and technologies at regional, urban and single-user scales. Energy 2019, 182, 254 -268.

AMA Style

Antonio Piacentino, Neven Duic, Natasa Markovska, Brian Vad Mathiesen, Zvonimir Guzović, Valerie Eveloy, Henrik Lund. Sustainable and cost-efficient energy supply and utilisation through innovative concepts and technologies at regional, urban and single-user scales. Energy. 2019; 182 ():254-268.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonio Piacentino; Neven Duic; Natasa Markovska; Brian Vad Mathiesen; Zvonimir Guzović; Valerie Eveloy; Henrik Lund. 2019. "Sustainable and cost-efficient energy supply and utilisation through innovative concepts and technologies at regional, urban and single-user scales." Energy 182, no. : 254-268.

Research article
Published: 17 May 2019 in Energy
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Thermoeconomic analysis allows for a deep understanding of the cost formation process within an energy system, providing insights into the possible routes for improvement. Several thermoeconomic approaches are well-established for application in systems with steady operating conditions, such as power plants, while a limited number of applications to air-conditioning systems in buildings have been proposed, due to the difficulties in dealing with very irregular load profiles and unsteady plant operating conditions. This study investigates the potential of Thermoeconomics as a support for decision making in building energy systems, proving its capability to identify trade-offs between cost fractions related to capital investment and efficiency. The proposed approach to thermoeconomic analysis of dynamic systems introduces some methodological novelties, such as the use of a preliminary dynamic simulation to calculate “averaged energy flows” on an arbitrary time basis and the adoption of a flexible super-structure, capable to reflect the different operating conditions throughout the year. That is then applied to a school dwelling, supplied with space heating and cooling and a mechanical ventilation Air Handling Unit. The sources of irreversibility are evaluated and the main targets for improvement are identified, calculating the trends of exergetic, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental costs on a monthly basis.

ACS Style

Ana Picallo-Perez; Pietro Catrini; Antonio Piacentino; José-Mª Sala. A novel thermoeconomic analysis under dynamic operating conditions for space heating and cooling systems. Energy 2019, 180, 819 -837.

AMA Style

Ana Picallo-Perez, Pietro Catrini, Antonio Piacentino, José-Mª Sala. A novel thermoeconomic analysis under dynamic operating conditions for space heating and cooling systems. Energy. 2019; 180 ():819-837.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana Picallo-Perez; Pietro Catrini; Antonio Piacentino; José-Mª Sala. 2019. "A novel thermoeconomic analysis under dynamic operating conditions for space heating and cooling systems." Energy 180, no. : 819-837.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2018 in Energy
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A large number of methods for energy systems analysis were developed in the last decades, aimed at acquiring an in-depth understanding of plant performances and enabling analysts to identify optimal design and operating conditions. In this work an integrated approach based on Life Cycle Assessment and Thermoeconomics is proposed as a method for assessing the exergo-environmental profile of energy systems. The procedure combines the capabilities of these two techniques, to account simultaneously for aspects related to thermodynamics of energy conversion processes and to the overall impacts along the plant life cycle related to other phases, i.e. from raw material extraction to the disposal of facilities. The capabilities of the method are illustrated by applying it to a water-cooled vapor compression chiller. After developing an accurate analysis of plant design and bill of materials of the chiller, the exergo-environmental profile was obtained. Then, the method was used as a decision support tool by considering a number of scenarios concerning possible design alternatives, context conditions and levels of maintenance. Results showed that the exergo-environmental performance of the chiller is highly sensitive to the electricity generation mix, which influences the trade-offs between the energo-environmental impacts related with plant operation and construction.

ACS Style

P. Catrini; M. Cellura; F. Guarino; D. Panno; A. Piacentino. An integrated approach based on Life Cycle Assessment and Thermoeconomics: Application to a water-cooled chiller for an air conditioning plant. Energy 2018, 160, 72 -86.

AMA Style

P. Catrini, M. Cellura, F. Guarino, D. Panno, A. Piacentino. An integrated approach based on Life Cycle Assessment and Thermoeconomics: Application to a water-cooled chiller for an air conditioning plant. Energy. 2018; 160 ():72-86.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P. Catrini; M. Cellura; F. Guarino; D. Panno; A. Piacentino. 2018. "An integrated approach based on Life Cycle Assessment and Thermoeconomics: Application to a water-cooled chiller for an air conditioning plant." Energy 160, no. : 72-86.

Book chapter
Published: 01 January 2018 in Sustainable Desalination Handbook
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ACS Style

Ozeair Abessi; Aisha Al Bloushi; Edo Bar-Zeev; Jamel Belhadj; Natalia Belkin; Ilana Berman-Frank; Liat Birnhack; Francesco Calise; David A. Caron; Habib Cherif; Massimo Dentice D’Accadia; Hila Frank; Adewale Giwa; Brent Haddad; Shadi W. Hasan; Nadine Heck; J. Jaime Sadhwani Alonso; Nurit Kress; Ori Lahav; Noemi Melián-Martel; Ângelo Paggi Matos; Toufic Mezher; Adina Paytan; Karen L. Petersen; Antonio Piacentino; Donald Potts; Edoardo Quiriti; Antonio Santos Sánchez; Erica L. Seubert; Abhishek Shrivastava; Derek Stevens; Maria Vicidomini; Nikolay Voutchkov; Dennis E. Williams. Contributors. Sustainable Desalination Handbook 2018, 1 .

AMA Style

Ozeair Abessi, Aisha Al Bloushi, Edo Bar-Zeev, Jamel Belhadj, Natalia Belkin, Ilana Berman-Frank, Liat Birnhack, Francesco Calise, David A. Caron, Habib Cherif, Massimo Dentice D’Accadia, Hila Frank, Adewale Giwa, Brent Haddad, Shadi W. Hasan, Nadine Heck, J. Jaime Sadhwani Alonso, Nurit Kress, Ori Lahav, Noemi Melián-Martel, Ângelo Paggi Matos, Toufic Mezher, Adina Paytan, Karen L. Petersen, Antonio Piacentino, Donald Potts, Edoardo Quiriti, Antonio Santos Sánchez, Erica L. Seubert, Abhishek Shrivastava, Derek Stevens, Maria Vicidomini, Nikolay Voutchkov, Dennis E. Williams. Contributors. Sustainable Desalination Handbook. 2018; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ozeair Abessi; Aisha Al Bloushi; Edo Bar-Zeev; Jamel Belhadj; Natalia Belkin; Ilana Berman-Frank; Liat Birnhack; Francesco Calise; David A. Caron; Habib Cherif; Massimo Dentice D’Accadia; Hila Frank; Adewale Giwa; Brent Haddad; Shadi W. Hasan; Nadine Heck; J. Jaime Sadhwani Alonso; Nurit Kress; Ori Lahav; Noemi Melián-Martel; Ângelo Paggi Matos; Toufic Mezher; Adina Paytan; Karen L. Petersen; Antonio Piacentino; Donald Potts; Edoardo Quiriti; Antonio Santos Sánchez; Erica L. Seubert; Abhishek Shrivastava; Derek Stevens; Maria Vicidomini; Nikolay Voutchkov; Dennis E. Williams. 2018. "Contributors." Sustainable Desalination Handbook , no. : 1.

Book chapter
Published: 01 January 2018 in Renewable Energy Powered Desalination Handbook
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Multiple effect distillation (MED) is nowadays the preferred technology for the construction of new plants based on thermal processes in the growing desalination market. MED technology, in fact, presents a number of advantages with respect to the more traditional multistage flash technology, among all the lower energy consumption achievable in MED plants. However, a large potential for improvement in terms of lowering production costs still exists, which stimulates further efforts on process optimization from companies and researchers involved in the field. Thermodynamic and exergy analysis provides useful insights regarding the identification of main inefficiencies and the margins for performance improvements. A number of works have focused their attention on these aspects, presenting innovative investigation tools eventually applied to theoretical or real case studies. In the present chapter, the fundamentals of thermodynamic and exergy analysis for MED process optimization are presented. “Exergy costing” is also discussed and proposed as an innovative method capable of reflecting how thermal inefficiencies contribute to a gradual increase in the economic value (to be intended as a cost of generation) of material streams along the process. In order to achieve a more comprehensive view, the aforementioned analyses are carried out for a reference MED plant assumed as the case study.

ACS Style

Pietro Catrini; Andrea Cipollina; Francesco Giacalone; Giorgio Micale; Antonio Piacentino; Alessandro Tamburini. Thermodynamic, Exergy, and Thermoeconomic analysis of Multiple Effect Distillation Processes. Renewable Energy Powered Desalination Handbook 2018, 445 -489.

AMA Style

Pietro Catrini, Andrea Cipollina, Francesco Giacalone, Giorgio Micale, Antonio Piacentino, Alessandro Tamburini. Thermodynamic, Exergy, and Thermoeconomic analysis of Multiple Effect Distillation Processes. Renewable Energy Powered Desalination Handbook. 2018; ():445-489.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Catrini; Andrea Cipollina; Francesco Giacalone; Giorgio Micale; Antonio Piacentino; Alessandro Tamburini. 2018. "Thermodynamic, Exergy, and Thermoeconomic analysis of Multiple Effect Distillation Processes." Renewable Energy Powered Desalination Handbook , no. : 445-489.

Book chapter
Published: 01 January 2018 in Sustainable Desalination Handbook
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ACS Style

Francesco Calise; Massimo Dentice D’Accadia; Edoardo Quiriti; Maria Vicidomini; Antonio Piacentino. Trigeneration and Polygeneration Configurations for Desalination and Other Beneficial Processes. Sustainable Desalination Handbook 2018, 99 -199.

AMA Style

Francesco Calise, Massimo Dentice D’Accadia, Edoardo Quiriti, Maria Vicidomini, Antonio Piacentino. Trigeneration and Polygeneration Configurations for Desalination and Other Beneficial Processes. Sustainable Desalination Handbook. 2018; ():99-199.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Calise; Massimo Dentice D’Accadia; Edoardo Quiriti; Maria Vicidomini; Antonio Piacentino. 2018. "Trigeneration and Polygeneration Configurations for Desalination and Other Beneficial Processes." Sustainable Desalination Handbook , no. : 99-199.

Book chapter
Published: 01 January 2018 in Comprehensive Energy Systems
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Authors propose a thermoeconomic analysis of a renewable polygeneration system producing power, desalinated water, heating and cooling and connected to a district heating and cooling network supplying a small district. A comparison between two layouts is performed, a hybrid (solar and geothermal) and a geothermal one, by performing a 1-year dynamic simulation and processing the results on different time bases. A parametric analysis is carried out to assess system performance and its capability to match the time-dependent energy demands. The hybrid configuration provides the best thermodynamic and environmental performances; conversely the geothermal one provides the highest economical profitability, achieving a much lower simple payback time, averaging 4.3 years instead of the 8.4 years of the hybrid configuration.

ACS Style

Francesco Calise; Adriano Macaluso; Antonio Piacentino; Laura Vanoli. 5.18 Energy Management in Geothermal Energy Systems. Comprehensive Energy Systems 2018, 742 -777.

AMA Style

Francesco Calise, Adriano Macaluso, Antonio Piacentino, Laura Vanoli. 5.18 Energy Management in Geothermal Energy Systems. Comprehensive Energy Systems. 2018; ():742-777.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Calise; Adriano Macaluso; Antonio Piacentino; Laura Vanoli. 2018. "5.18 Energy Management in Geothermal Energy Systems." Comprehensive Energy Systems , no. : 742-777.

Journal article
Published: 21 October 2017 in Applied Energy
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Reverse Electrodialysis Heat Engine (REDHE) is a promising technology to convert waste heat at temperatures lower than 100 °C into electric power. In the present work an overview of the possible regeneration methods is presented and the technological challenges for the development of the RED Heat Engine (REDHE) are identified. The potential of this power production cycle was investigated through a simplified mathematical model. In the first part of the work, several salts were singularly modelled as possible solutes in aqueous solutions feeding the RED unit and the corresponding optimal conditions were recognized via an optimization study. In the second part, three different RED Heat Engine scenarios were studied. Results show that power densities much higher than those relevant to NaCl-water solutions can be obtained by using different salts, especially those based on lithium ion (i.e. LiBr and LiCl). Results on the closed loop show efficiencies up to about 15% corresponding to an exergetic efficiency of about 85%, thus suggesting that the RED Heat Engine could potentially be a promising technology, with applications mainly in the industry where low-grade heat that has no alternative use can be converted into electricity.

ACS Style

A. Tamburini; Michele Tedesco; Andrea Cipollina; Giorgio Micale; M. Ciofalo; Michael Papapetrou; W. Van Baak; Antonio Piacentino. Reverse electrodialysis heat engine for sustainable power production. Applied Energy 2017, 206, 1334 -1353.

AMA Style

A. Tamburini, Michele Tedesco, Andrea Cipollina, Giorgio Micale, M. Ciofalo, Michael Papapetrou, W. Van Baak, Antonio Piacentino. Reverse electrodialysis heat engine for sustainable power production. Applied Energy. 2017; 206 ():1334-1353.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Tamburini; Michele Tedesco; Andrea Cipollina; Giorgio Micale; M. Ciofalo; Michael Papapetrou; W. Van Baak; Antonio Piacentino. 2017. "Reverse electrodialysis heat engine for sustainable power production." Applied Energy 206, no. : 1334-1353.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2017 in Energy
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Francesco Calise; Adriano Macaluso; Antonio Piacentino; Laura Vanoli. A novel hybrid polygeneration system supplying energy and desalinated water by renewable sources in Pantelleria Island. Energy 2017, 137, 1086 -1106.

AMA Style

Francesco Calise, Adriano Macaluso, Antonio Piacentino, Laura Vanoli. A novel hybrid polygeneration system supplying energy and desalinated water by renewable sources in Pantelleria Island. Energy. 2017; 137 ():1086-1106.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Calise; Adriano Macaluso; Antonio Piacentino; Laura Vanoli. 2017. "A novel hybrid polygeneration system supplying energy and desalinated water by renewable sources in Pantelleria Island." Energy 137, no. : 1086-1106.

Journal article
Published: 03 July 2017 in Energy
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A Reverse ElectroDialysis Heat Engine (REDHE) system operating with “thermolytic” ammonium hydrogen-carbonate (NH4HCO3) aqueous solutions as working fluids is studied. The engine is constituted by (i) a RED unit to produce electric power by mixing the solutions at different salinity and (ii) a thermally-driven regeneration unit including a stripping and an absorption column to restore the initial salinity gradient thus closing the cycle. In the present work only the RED unit and the stripping column are taken into account. In particular, a simplified integrated process model for the whole cycle was developed: it consists of (i) a lumped parameter model for the RED unit validated with experimental data and (ii) a model developed via a process simulator to assess the thermal duty of the stripping column. The effect of operating conditions as solution concentrations and velocities was investigated by a sensitivity analysis. Under the best conditions (among those investigated), a power density of about 9 W/m2 of cell pair was predicted for the RED unit, and a maximum exergetic efficiency of about 22% was found for the whole cycle. A preliminary economic analysis of the process is also provided.

ACS Style

M. Bevacqua; A. Tamburini; Michael Papapetrou; Andrea Cipollina; Giorgio Micale; A. Piacentino. Reverse electrodialysis with NH4HCO3-water systems for heat-to-power conversion. Energy 2017, 137, 1293 -1307.

AMA Style

M. Bevacqua, A. Tamburini, Michael Papapetrou, Andrea Cipollina, Giorgio Micale, A. Piacentino. Reverse electrodialysis with NH4HCO3-water systems for heat-to-power conversion. Energy. 2017; 137 ():1293-1307.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M. Bevacqua; A. Tamburini; Michael Papapetrou; Andrea Cipollina; Giorgio Micale; A. Piacentino. 2017. "Reverse electrodialysis with NH4HCO3-water systems for heat-to-power conversion." Energy 137, no. : 1293-1307.

Journal article
Published: 03 July 2017 in Energy
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Sustainability of energy supply in small islands has been emerging as a severe issue, due to the large margins for improvement of the most frequently adopted solutions. In many European islands large amounts of heat are wasted by the operation of engines-based power plants; conversely, heat is produced by boilers or by electric equipment for different uses, like domestic hot water or space heating. In this paper a techno-economic analysis is proposed to assess the feasibility of CHP-retrofit of existing power plants and the possible utilization of the recovered heat to supply, via a district heating and/or cooling network, the energy requests of civil users in the tertiary and residential sectors. The analysis is performed for six islands in Italy characterized by different demographic and climatic conditions, so as to get a comprehensive understanding of the factors that favour/obstruct the viability of the examined technical solution. As expected, due to the low “linear heat density” observed in small islands, the investments resulted “far from being attractive”; only in the case where public support mechanisms are adopted, the integration of the existing power plants with heat recovery devices and a district heating network resulted moderately attractive, especially in the largest islands.

ACS Style

M. Beccali; G. Ciulla; B. Di Pietra; A. Galatioto; G. Leone; A. Piacentino. Assessing the feasibility of cogeneration retrofit and district heating/cooling networks in small Italian islands. Energy 2017, 141, 2572 -2586.

AMA Style

M. Beccali, G. Ciulla, B. Di Pietra, A. Galatioto, G. Leone, A. Piacentino. Assessing the feasibility of cogeneration retrofit and district heating/cooling networks in small Italian islands. Energy. 2017; 141 ():2572-2586.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M. Beccali; G. Ciulla; B. Di Pietra; A. Galatioto; G. Leone; A. Piacentino. 2017. "Assessing the feasibility of cogeneration retrofit and district heating/cooling networks in small Italian islands." Energy 141, no. : 2572-2586.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2017 in Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems
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ACS Style

Antonio Piacentino; Catrini Pietro. On Thermoeconomic Diagnosis of a Fouled Direct Expansion Coil: Effects of Induced Malfunctions on Quantitative Performance of the Diagnostic Technique. Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems 2017, 5, 177 -190.

AMA Style

Antonio Piacentino, Catrini Pietro. On Thermoeconomic Diagnosis of a Fouled Direct Expansion Coil: Effects of Induced Malfunctions on Quantitative Performance of the Diagnostic Technique. Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems. 2017; 5 (2):177-190.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonio Piacentino; Catrini Pietro. 2017. "On Thermoeconomic Diagnosis of a Fouled Direct Expansion Coil: Effects of Induced Malfunctions on Quantitative Performance of the Diagnostic Technique." Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems 5, no. 2: 177-190.

Journal article
Published: 23 April 2017 in Energy Conversion and Management
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In this paper an exergy analysis and thermoeconomic cost accounting of a Combined Heat and Power steam cycle integrated with Multi Effect Distillation-Thermal Vapour Compression plant is performed; the goal of the study is to show how these methodologies provide a rational criterion to allocate production costs on electricity and freshwater in such a dual purpose system. After a brief overview on the methodology and a description of reference plant, exergy analysis is carried out to calculate exergy flows and exergy efficiencies at component level. A detailed description of the adopted thermoeconomic model is given. In a first scenario, cost accounting is performed assuming that the concentrated brine is disposed back to sea, thus being its exergy content definitively wasted; furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is carried out in order to assess the changes in the unit cost of electricity and freshwater with several design and operation parameters. In a second scenario, conversely, part of brine exergy is used in a Reverse Electrodialysis unit to produce further electricity. In both cases results show that high unit costs are obtained for the material streams or energy flows which involve major exergy destruction along their production process, particularly freshwater in the former configuration and Reverse Electrodialysis electric output in the latter one.

ACS Style

P. Catrini; A. Cipollina; Giorgio Micale; A. Piacentino; A. Tamburini. Exergy analysis and thermoeconomic cost accounting of a Combined Heat and Power steam cycle integrated with a Multi Effect Distillation-Thermal Vapour Compression desalination plant. Energy Conversion and Management 2017, 149, 950 -965.

AMA Style

P. Catrini, A. Cipollina, Giorgio Micale, A. Piacentino, A. Tamburini. Exergy analysis and thermoeconomic cost accounting of a Combined Heat and Power steam cycle integrated with a Multi Effect Distillation-Thermal Vapour Compression desalination plant. Energy Conversion and Management. 2017; 149 ():950-965.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P. Catrini; A. Cipollina; Giorgio Micale; A. Piacentino; A. Tamburini. 2017. "Exergy analysis and thermoeconomic cost accounting of a Combined Heat and Power steam cycle integrated with a Multi Effect Distillation-Thermal Vapour Compression desalination plant." Energy Conversion and Management 149, no. : 950-965.

Journal article
Published: 04 April 2017 in Desalination
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The Multi Effect Distillation (MED) process is often proposed as a key technology for the construction of new thermal desalination plants, especially within solar-powered cogeneration schemes. With this respect, the need for transient behaviour analysis requires the development of dynamic models for the MED process. Only a few have been presented so far in the literature, in which, however, several simplifying assumptions and constrains are still limiting their potential use. The model here proposed addresses most of the aspects still limiting previous models formulations. The powerful equation-based process simulator gPROMS® was chosen for the implementation of the model, developed on the basis of available data from a MED-TVC plant located in Trapani, Sicily (Italy). After validation, the model was used for some preliminary analysis of system behaviour under transient conditions, artificially generated starting from steady state by implementing specific disturbances such as the variation in the motive steam pressure, seawater feed flow rate and temperature. This demonstrates the model capability to describe in detail the dynamic response of the system with respect to all its variables, thus representing a useful tool for the prediction of transient operations and control system design purposes of MED-TVC plants.

ACS Style

Andrea Cipollina; M. Agnello; A. Piacentino; A. Tamburini; Bartolome Ortega; P. Palenzuela; D. Alarcon; G. Micale. A dynamic model for MED-TVC transient operation. Desalination 2017, 413, 234 -257.

AMA Style

Andrea Cipollina, M. Agnello, A. Piacentino, A. Tamburini, Bartolome Ortega, P. Palenzuela, D. Alarcon, G. Micale. A dynamic model for MED-TVC transient operation. Desalination. 2017; 413 ():234-257.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea Cipollina; M. Agnello; A. Piacentino; A. Tamburini; Bartolome Ortega; P. Palenzuela; D. Alarcon; G. Micale. 2017. "A dynamic model for MED-TVC transient operation." Desalination 413, no. : 234-257.

Journal article
Published: 13 December 2016 in Energies
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Cogeneration and trigeneration plants are widely recognized as promising technologies for increasing energy efficiency in buildings. However, their overall potential is scarcely exploited, due to the difficulties in achieving economic viability and the risk of investment related to uncertainties in future energy loads and prices. Several stochastic optimization models have been proposed in the literature to account for uncertainties, but these instruments share in a common reliance on user-defined probability functions for each stochastic parameter. Being such functions hard to predict, in this paper an analysis of the influence of erroneous estimation of the uncertain energy loads and prices on the optimal plant design and operation is proposed. With reference to a hotel building, a number of realistic scenarios is developed, exploring all the most frequent errors occurring in the estimation of energy loads and prices. Then, profit-oriented optimizations are performed for the examined scenarios, by means of a deterministic mixed integer linear programming algorithm. From a comparison between the achieved results, it emerges that: (i) the plant profitability is prevalently influenced by the average “spark-spread” (i.e., ratio between electricity and fuel price) and, secondarily, from the shape of the daily price profiles; (ii) the “optimal sizes” of the main components are scarcely influenced by the daily load profiles, while they are more strictly related with the average “power to heat” and “power to cooling” ratios of the building.

ACS Style

Antonio Piacentino; Roberto Gallea; Pietro Catrini; Fabio Cardona; Domenico Panno. On the Reliability of Optimization Results for Trigeneration Systems in Buildings, in the Presence of Price Uncertainties and Erroneous Load Estimation. Energies 2016, 9, 1049 .

AMA Style

Antonio Piacentino, Roberto Gallea, Pietro Catrini, Fabio Cardona, Domenico Panno. On the Reliability of Optimization Results for Trigeneration Systems in Buildings, in the Presence of Price Uncertainties and Erroneous Load Estimation. Energies. 2016; 9 (12):1049.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonio Piacentino; Roberto Gallea; Pietro Catrini; Fabio Cardona; Domenico Panno. 2016. "On the Reliability of Optimization Results for Trigeneration Systems in Buildings, in the Presence of Price Uncertainties and Erroneous Load Estimation." Energies 9, no. 12: 1049.