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Prof. Elisabetta Arato
university of Genova

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0 Waste
0 Fuel cell
0 environment
0 biomass valorisation
0 circuler economy

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Review
Published: 30 April 2021 in Energies
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This work analyses and discusses data on thermochemical plants in Southern Italy that are fed with solid biomass. The analysis takes into account the biomass availability and potential together with the cost-benefit analysis using technology development and economic indicators (LCOE). A total of 63,762 units have been categorised according to the employed technology and produced energy: power plants for electricity production or cogeneration plants for combined heat and electricity production (53 plants) and thermal units for heat production (63,709 units). The eight regions of the area have noteworthy differences. In terms of electricity generated from solid biomass Calabria is by far the largest producer, followed by Apulia. Sicily, Sardinia and Molise provide lower amounts while Abruzzo, Basilicata and Campania generate almost negligible amounts. Regarding thermal production, Campania and Calabria are the largest producers, but Basilicata, Molise and Abruzzo generate the highest amount per capita. The area is far from fully exploiting its biomass potential, and there are also no district heating grids. Bioenergy can be remarkably competitive, provided that capital costs are relatively low and low-cost biomass is available, as it is the case of Italy. New applications and markets for sub-products (i.e., char, ash) would help in lowering the still not competitive economic indicators (LCOE).

ACS Style

Cristina Moliner; Elisabetta Arato; Filippo Marchelli. Current Status of Energy Production from Solid Biomass in Southern Italy. Energies 2021, 14, 2576 .

AMA Style

Cristina Moliner, Elisabetta Arato, Filippo Marchelli. Current Status of Energy Production from Solid Biomass in Southern Italy. Energies. 2021; 14 (9):2576.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Moliner; Elisabetta Arato; Filippo Marchelli. 2021. "Current Status of Energy Production from Solid Biomass in Southern Italy." Energies 14, no. 9: 2576.

Review
Published: 18 January 2021 in Energies
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Valorising biomass waste and producing renewable energy or materials is the aim of several conversion technologies. In this work, we consider two residues from different production chains: lignocellulosic residues from agriculture and wool residues from sheep husbandry. These materials are produced in large quantities, and their disposal is often costly and challenging for farmers. For their valorisation, we focus on slow pyrolysis for the former and water hydrolysis for the latter, concisely presenting the main literature related to these two processes. Pyrolysis produces the C-rich biochar, suitable for soil amending. Hydrolysis produces a N-rich fertiliser. We demonstrate how these two processes could be fruitfully integrated, as their products can be flexibly mixed to produce fertilisers. This solution would allow the achievement of balanced and tuneable ratios between C and N and the enhancement of the mechanical properties. We propose scenarios for this combined valorisation and for its coupling with other industries. As a result, biomass waste would be returned to the field, following the principles of circular economy.

ACS Style

Filippo Marchelli; Giorgio Rovero; Massimo Curti; Elisabetta Arato; Barbara Bosio; Cristina Moliner. An Integrated Approach to Convert Lignocellulosic and Wool Residues into Balanced Fertilisers. Energies 2021, 14, 497 .

AMA Style

Filippo Marchelli, Giorgio Rovero, Massimo Curti, Elisabetta Arato, Barbara Bosio, Cristina Moliner. An Integrated Approach to Convert Lignocellulosic and Wool Residues into Balanced Fertilisers. Energies. 2021; 14 (2):497.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippo Marchelli; Giorgio Rovero; Massimo Curti; Elisabetta Arato; Barbara Bosio; Cristina Moliner. 2021. "An Integrated Approach to Convert Lignocellulosic and Wool Residues into Balanced Fertilisers." Energies 14, no. 2: 497.

Journal article
Published: 03 November 2020 in Energies
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Agricultural activities produce an estimated amount of 32.7 MToe/year of residues in EU countries. They are mostly disposed in landfills, incinerated without any control, or abandoned in fields, causing severe impacts on human health and environment. Rice is one of the most consumed crops worldwide with an annual production of 782 million tons according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations database. In this context, the EU-funded project LIFE LIBERNITRATE promotes the use of renewable residual sources (i.e., rice straw) to obtain new materials with an added value. The methodology is based on the incineration of rice straw in an own-designed and constructed valorization system. Rice straw/wood pellets are burned in optimized conditions to produce a maximized quantity of ashes with high silica content. These materials will be then used to treat water polluted with nitrates, representing an optimal example of circular economy strategy. In this work, the own-designed valorization unit is described, with special focus on its main constituting elements. The theoretical study of the co-incineration of rice straw and wood pellets identified the optimised combustion conditions. Experimental tests using the theoretical inputs confirmed the most adequate operational conditions (10 g rice straw pellets/min + 10 g wood pellets/min, 6–7 Nm3/h of air, T = 500 °C) and helped in the definition of improvements on the experimental plant.

ACS Style

Cristina Moliner; Dario Bove; Elisabetta Arato. Co-Incineration of Rice Straw-Wood Pellets: A Sustainable Strategy for the Valorisation of Rice Waste. Energies 2020, 13, 5750 .

AMA Style

Cristina Moliner, Dario Bove, Elisabetta Arato. Co-Incineration of Rice Straw-Wood Pellets: A Sustainable Strategy for the Valorisation of Rice Waste. Energies. 2020; 13 (21):5750.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Moliner; Dario Bove; Elisabetta Arato. 2020. "Co-Incineration of Rice Straw-Wood Pellets: A Sustainable Strategy for the Valorisation of Rice Waste." Energies 13, no. 21: 5750.

Journal article
Published: 09 September 2020 in Energies
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The present work aims at investigating the residence time distribution (RTD) of a multiple spouted bed reactor, which will be applied for the pyrolysis and gasification of residual biomass. The unit is composed of square-based spouted beds, placed in series and at descending heights, and communicating with each other through an opening in the lateral wall. The gas is fed evenly in parallel. The experimental analysis is based on tracer experiments in cold-flow units, assessing the influence of the number of units and the bed height. The tests proved the good mixing properties of the spouted beds, which create a stable fluidization regime and do not feature dead zones. Each spouted bed can generally be well assimilated to an ideal continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The RTD of the device seems adequate for the application, and also seems to be well tuneable through the selection of the bed height and number of units. Given the good similarity with ideal reactor networks, these represent a valid tool to estimate the final behavior in terms of RTD.

ACS Style

Filippo Marchelli; Massimo Curti; Mattia Tognin; Giorgio Rovero; Cristina Moliner; Elisabetta Arato; Barbara Bosio. Experimental Study on the Solids Residence Time Distribution in Multiple Square-Based Spouted Beds. Energies 2020, 13, 4694 .

AMA Style

Filippo Marchelli, Massimo Curti, Mattia Tognin, Giorgio Rovero, Cristina Moliner, Elisabetta Arato, Barbara Bosio. Experimental Study on the Solids Residence Time Distribution in Multiple Square-Based Spouted Beds. Energies. 2020; 13 (18):4694.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippo Marchelli; Massimo Curti; Mattia Tognin; Giorgio Rovero; Cristina Moliner; Elisabetta Arato; Barbara Bosio. 2020. "Experimental Study on the Solids Residence Time Distribution in Multiple Square-Based Spouted Beds." Energies 13, no. 18: 4694.

Journal article
Published: 08 September 2020 in Materials
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A series of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactic acid)-based bio-composites (sisal PLA) were prepared and studied by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques as such and after immersion at room temperature in different degradation mediums (i.e., distilled and natural sea water and solutions at pH = 2, 6, and 8). In these conditions, some of their macroscopic and microscopic properties were monitored during a period of 30 days. Water absorption increased with the increasing fiber content regardless of the immersion medium. The maximum water absorption was achieved at pH = 8 (~16%), indicating a more severe action of the alkaline mediums on the samples. The diffusivity, D, of PLA decreased with the addition of fibers and acidic mediums showed higher D, indicating higher diffusivity of water through the specimens with respect to those submerged in moderate or alkaline mediums. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis evidenced a weak interaction between the PLA matrix and the sisal fibers. Very limited degradation phenomena occur in our conditions: Despite some changes in the microstructure, the PLA backbone seems to be largely resistant to hydrolysis, almost regardless of the pH value and even at the highest sisal content.

ACS Style

Cristina Moliner; Elisabetta Finocchio; Elisabetta Arato; Gianguido Ramis; Alberto Lagazzo. Influence of the Degradation Medium on Water Uptake, Morphology, and Chemical Structure of Poly(Lactic Acid)-Sisal Bio-Composites. Materials 2020, 13, 3974 .

AMA Style

Cristina Moliner, Elisabetta Finocchio, Elisabetta Arato, Gianguido Ramis, Alberto Lagazzo. Influence of the Degradation Medium on Water Uptake, Morphology, and Chemical Structure of Poly(Lactic Acid)-Sisal Bio-Composites. Materials. 2020; 13 (18):3974.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Moliner; Elisabetta Finocchio; Elisabetta Arato; Gianguido Ramis; Alberto Lagazzo. 2020. "Influence of the Degradation Medium on Water Uptake, Morphology, and Chemical Structure of Poly(Lactic Acid)-Sisal Bio-Composites." Materials 13, no. 18: 3974.

Review
Published: 26 August 2020 in Energies
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Data on the thermochemical plants fed by solid biomass in the north-west area of Italy (Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont and Aosta Valley) have been organised, analysed and discussed. Moreover, the biomass availability and potential has been evaluated. A total of 28,167 plants have been categorised according to their typology and output: thermo-electric power plants for electricity production, thermal plants for heat production, cogeneration plants for combined heat and electricity production and district heating installations for local heating purposes. In general, separate observations for the different provinces may be drawn. Liguria stands out as the most evident case of under-exploited biomass potential, followed by Aosta Valley, which, however, is rich in hydroelectricity. Lombardy and Piedmont are more virtuous and have several plants in their territory. The construction of new plants and the upgrade of existing ones may bring noteworthy benefits, as well as the use of added value sub-products to foster circular economy approaches.

ACS Style

Cristina Moliner; Filippo Marchelli; Elisabetta Arato. Current Status of Energy Production from Solid Biomass in North-West Italy. Energies 2020, 13, 4390 .

AMA Style

Cristina Moliner, Filippo Marchelli, Elisabetta Arato. Current Status of Energy Production from Solid Biomass in North-West Italy. Energies. 2020; 13 (17):4390.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Moliner; Filippo Marchelli; Elisabetta Arato. 2020. "Current Status of Energy Production from Solid Biomass in North-West Italy." Energies 13, no. 17: 4390.

Journal article
Published: 06 March 2020 in Powder Technology
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CFD-DEM is an established approach to simulate spouted beds, but researchers usually focus on batch units, without commenting on the residence time distribution of the particles. In this work, we employed our validated CFD-DEM approach to simulate a continuously-fed square-based spouted bed, in the framework of the development of a scaled-up multiple unit. After analysing several flow patterns of the spouted bed, we propose three methods that permit evaluating the residence time distribution curve of the particles on the basis of the results of the simulations. These methods allow exploiting CFD-DEM's great reliability without reproducing the actual tracer experiment, which would be too time-consuming. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, but all of them were able to provide a good match of the experimental E(t) curve and may be applied to other devices as well.

ACS Style

Filippo Marchelli; Cristina Moliner; Massimo Curti; Barbara Bosio; Elisabetta Arato. CFD-DEM simulations of a continuous square-based spouted bed and evaluation of the solids residence time distribution. Powder Technology 2020, 366, 840 -858.

AMA Style

Filippo Marchelli, Cristina Moliner, Massimo Curti, Barbara Bosio, Elisabetta Arato. CFD-DEM simulations of a continuous square-based spouted bed and evaluation of the solids residence time distribution. Powder Technology. 2020; 366 ():840-858.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippo Marchelli; Cristina Moliner; Massimo Curti; Barbara Bosio; Elisabetta Arato. 2020. "CFD-DEM simulations of a continuous square-based spouted bed and evaluation of the solids residence time distribution." Powder Technology 366, no. : 840-858.

Journal article
Published: 18 January 2020 in Energies
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Pellets from residues from rice harvest (i.e., straw and husk) were produced and their main properties were evaluated. Firstly, rice straw pellets were produced at lab scale at varying operational conditions (i.e., load compression and wt % of feeding moisture content) to evaluate their suitability for palletization. Successively, rice straw and husk pellets were commercially produced. All the samples were characterized in terms of their main physical, chemical, and physico-chemical properties. In addition, axial/diametral compression and durability tests were performed to assess their mechanical performance. All the analyzed properties were compared with the established quality standards for non-woody pellets. In general, rice straw pellets presented suitable properties for their use as pelletized fuels. Rice husk pellets fell out of the standards in recommended size or durability and thus preliminary treatments might be required prior their use as fuels.

ACS Style

Cristina Moliner; Alberto Lagazzo; Barbara Bosio; Rodolfo Botter; Elisabetta Arato. Production, Characterization, and Evaluation of Pellets from Rice Harvest Residues. Energies 2020, 13, 479 .

AMA Style

Cristina Moliner, Alberto Lagazzo, Barbara Bosio, Rodolfo Botter, Elisabetta Arato. Production, Characterization, and Evaluation of Pellets from Rice Harvest Residues. Energies. 2020; 13 (2):479.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Moliner; Alberto Lagazzo; Barbara Bosio; Rodolfo Botter; Elisabetta Arato. 2020. "Production, Characterization, and Evaluation of Pellets from Rice Harvest Residues." Energies 13, no. 2: 479.

Journal article
Published: 15 November 2019 in Powder Technology
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Spouted beds are commonly simulated through the Computational Fluid Dynamics – Discrete Element Method approach. The choice of the drag model is still a matter of debate, as they feature peculiar operative conditions. In this work, we simulated two spouted beds containing Geldart-D particles. We tested seven drag models: three are classic models, while four are developed through advanced computational techniques. The results indicate that the key variable is the ratio between the operative and the minimum spouting gas velocity (u/ums). At u = ums only the Gidaspow model can always predict fluidisation, but at low u/ums values the Beetstra model is the best compromise. For higher values, the Rong and Di Felice models behave better, while the others overestimate the particles' velocity. These results can be useful to identify the best performing model and show there is a need for more appropriate models for spouted beds.

ACS Style

Filippo Marchelli; Qinfu Hou; Barbara Bosio; Elisabetta Arato; Aibing Yu. Comparison of different drag models in CFD-DEM simulations of spouted beds. Powder Technology 2019, 360, 1253 -1270.

AMA Style

Filippo Marchelli, Qinfu Hou, Barbara Bosio, Elisabetta Arato, Aibing Yu. Comparison of different drag models in CFD-DEM simulations of spouted beds. Powder Technology. 2019; 360 ():1253-1270.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippo Marchelli; Qinfu Hou; Barbara Bosio; Elisabetta Arato; Aibing Yu. 2019. "Comparison of different drag models in CFD-DEM simulations of spouted beds." Powder Technology 360, no. : 1253-1270.

Journal article
Published: 10 September 2019 in Polymers
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The recyclability of polylactide acid (PLA) and poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV)-based biocomposites (10%, 20% and 30% by weight of sisal natural fibre) was evaluated in this work. The mechanical and thermal properties were initially determined and were shown to be similar to commodity plastics, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Three recycle steps were carried out and the mechanical and thermal properties of recycled samples were evaluated and compared to the reference samples. The tensile modulus increased for recycled PLA biocomposites, whereas it was hardly influenced by recycling the PHBV biocomposites. The tensile strength and deformation at the break decreased notably after the first cycle in all cases. Although all the biocomposites became more brittle with recycling, the properties were conserved along until the third cycle, proving their promising recyclability. From the data obtained from the dynamic mechanical analysis, a slight decrease of the storage modulus of PHBV was observed, whereas PLA showed a significant decay of its properties at the 3rd recyclate. The PLA specimens were filled with sisal fibres until they reached 20%wt, which seemed also less subject to the embrittlement occurring along the recycling phase. The characteristic temperatures (glass transition-Tg, crystallization-Tc, melting-Tm) of all the biocomposites were not highly affected by recycling. Only a slight decrease on the melting point of the recycled PHBV was observed suggesting an overall good reprocessability. Moreover, the processing conditions lied in the same range as the conventional plastics which would facilitate potential joint valorization techniques.

ACS Style

Alberto Lagazzo; Cristina Moliner; Barbara Bosio; Rodolfo Botter; Elisabetta Arato. Evaluation of the Mechanical and Thermal Properties Decay of PHBV/Sisal and PLA/Sisal Biocomposites at Different Recycle Steps. Polymers 2019, 11, 1477 .

AMA Style

Alberto Lagazzo, Cristina Moliner, Barbara Bosio, Rodolfo Botter, Elisabetta Arato. Evaluation of the Mechanical and Thermal Properties Decay of PHBV/Sisal and PLA/Sisal Biocomposites at Different Recycle Steps. Polymers. 2019; 11 (9):1477.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alberto Lagazzo; Cristina Moliner; Barbara Bosio; Rodolfo Botter; Elisabetta Arato. 2019. "Evaluation of the Mechanical and Thermal Properties Decay of PHBV/Sisal and PLA/Sisal Biocomposites at Different Recycle Steps." Polymers 11, no. 9: 1477.

Journal article
Published: 07 June 2019 in Chemical Engineering Science
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A spouted bed has been simulated through a Computational Fluid Dynamic model using the Two Fluid Method and validated against experimental data. A sensitivity analysis has assessed the influence of the characteristic parameters on the solution. Among them, the accurate selection of the drag law seems to have the strongest influence on the results. In order to extend the capabilities of Ansys Fluent, Di Felice’s drag law was also considered through a User Defined Function. The assessment of the granular phase and its kinetic, collisional and frictional forces, is highly relevant to achieve a correct prediction of the particle velocity profile. The specularity coefficient appears to be more influencing than the restitution coefficient, but both parameters are useful to optimise the model. Overall, the prediction of the particle vertical velocity is accurate whereas the height of the fountain is slightly over-predicted.

ACS Style

Cristina Moliner; Filippo Marchelli; Laura Ong; Alfonso Martinez-Felipe; Dominic Van der A; Elisabetta Arato. Sensitivity analysis and validation of a Two Fluid Method (TFM) model for a spouted bed. Chemical Engineering Science 2019, 207, 39 -53.

AMA Style

Cristina Moliner, Filippo Marchelli, Laura Ong, Alfonso Martinez-Felipe, Dominic Van der A, Elisabetta Arato. Sensitivity analysis and validation of a Two Fluid Method (TFM) model for a spouted bed. Chemical Engineering Science. 2019; 207 ():39-53.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Moliner; Filippo Marchelli; Laura Ong; Alfonso Martinez-Felipe; Dominic Van der A; Elisabetta Arato. 2019. "Sensitivity analysis and validation of a Two Fluid Method (TFM) model for a spouted bed." Chemical Engineering Science 207, no. : 39-53.

Journal article
Published: 23 May 2019 in Powder Technology
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The coupling of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the discrete element method (DEM) permits to simulate complex multiphase flows, and has been widely used for research and industrial purposes. However, this approach relies on many sub-models and parameters, whose influence is not always clear. In this work, we performed an extensive sensitivity analysis, modifying one sub-model or parameter at a time and assessing the effect on the results. We run our simulations through the commercial program Ansys Fluent 19.1. We considered experimental data reported in literature for a pseudo bi-dimensional spouted bed, containing 2.033 mm glass particles. Spouted beds are suitable to process coarse, poli-dispersed and irregular particles, and are hence a popular research subject, often simulated through the CFD-DEM approach. Our results slightly overestimate the highest position reached by the particles, possibly because of the limits in the mesh refinement. The sensitivity analysis shows that the drag model, restitution coefficient, friction coefficient and Magnus lift model have the strongest influence on the particles' trajectories. It is important to include turbulence, the Magnus lift effect and to consider the rotation of particles. These results clarify the influence of the considered parameters and models in CFD-DEM, and can be considered for the optimisation of CFD-DEM simulations. Thanks to the conclusions of the sensitivity campaign, we enhanced the accuracy of our model.

ACS Style

Filippo Marchelli; Cristina Moliner; Barbara Bosio; Elisabetta Arato. A CFD-DEM sensitivity analysis: The case of a pseudo-2D spouted bed. Powder Technology 2019, 353, 409 -425.

AMA Style

Filippo Marchelli, Cristina Moliner, Barbara Bosio, Elisabetta Arato. A CFD-DEM sensitivity analysis: The case of a pseudo-2D spouted bed. Powder Technology. 2019; 353 ():409-425.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippo Marchelli; Cristina Moliner; Barbara Bosio; Elisabetta Arato. 2019. "A CFD-DEM sensitivity analysis: The case of a pseudo-2D spouted bed." Powder Technology 353, no. : 409-425.

Journal article
Published: 01 April 2019 in Particuology
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From experiments, the influence of the physical characteristics of different binary mixtures of solids on the spouting regime of a pyramidal square-based spouted bed reactor is assessed. The applied methodology permits a more precise evaluation of the effects of the tested variables (diameter, density, sphericity) on the response variables (minimum air flows at which spouting begins and at which to maintain spouting conditions). The associated pressure drops along the bed of particles and the height of the formed fountain are analysed in each case. During the initial stages of fluidisation, binary mixtures containing different density ratios show dead zones. Segregation becomes more evident at large-size and high-density ratios. The lack of sphericity was found to be the main reason leading to blocking, channelling, and start-up problems when system failures occur. Nevertheless, the extent of segregation in all cases decreases with increasing the spouting velocity. In addition, a computational fluid dynamic model based on the discrete element method, previously validated for a single solid bed, is proposed as a tool to predict and evaluate potential segregation phenomena in binary mixtures. This model reproduced with high accuracy the encountered segregation phenomena. Its use may help define the technical limits inherent in the pyramidal spouted bed reactor.

ACS Style

Cristina Moliner; Filippo Marchelli; Massimo Curti; Barbara Bosio; Giorgio Rovero; Elisabetta Arato. Spouting behaviour of binary mixtures in square-based spouted beds. Particuology 2019, 43, 193 -201.

AMA Style

Cristina Moliner, Filippo Marchelli, Massimo Curti, Barbara Bosio, Giorgio Rovero, Elisabetta Arato. Spouting behaviour of binary mixtures in square-based spouted beds. Particuology. 2019; 43 ():193-201.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Moliner; Filippo Marchelli; Massimo Curti; Barbara Bosio; Giorgio Rovero; Elisabetta Arato. 2019. "Spouting behaviour of binary mixtures in square-based spouted beds." Particuology 43, no. : 193-201.

Journal article
Published: 02 January 2019 in Catalysts
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Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (IT-SOFC) technology offers interesting opportunities in the panorama of a larger penetration of renewable and distributed power generation, namely high electrical efficiency at manageable scales for both remote and industrial applications. In order to optimize the performance and the operating conditions of such a pre-commercial technology, an effective synergy between experimentation and simulation is fundamental. For this purpose, starting from the SIMFC (SIMulation of Fuel Cells) code set-up and successfully validated for Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells, a new version of the code has been developed for IT-SOFCs. The new release of the code allows the calculation of the maps of the main electrical, chemical, and physical parameters on the cell plane of planar IT-SOFCs fed in co-flow. A semi-empirical kinetic formulation has been set-up, identifying the related parameters thanks to a devoted series of experiments, and integrated in SIMFC. Thanks to a multi-sampling innovative experimental apparatus the simultaneous measurement of temperature and gas composition on the cell plane was possible, so that a preliminary validation of the model on local values was carried out. A good agreement between experimental and simulated data was achieved in terms of cell voltages and local temperatures, but also, for the first time, in terms of local concentration on the cell plane, encouraging further developments. This numerical tool is proposed for a better interpretation of the phenomena occurring in IT-SOFCs and a consequential optimization of their performance.

ACS Style

Bruno Conti; Barbara Bosio; Stephen John McPhail; Francesca Santoni; Davide Pumiglia; Elisabetta Arato. A 2-D model for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Preliminarily Validated on Local Values. Catalysts 2019, 9, 36 .

AMA Style

Bruno Conti, Barbara Bosio, Stephen John McPhail, Francesca Santoni, Davide Pumiglia, Elisabetta Arato. A 2-D model for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Preliminarily Validated on Local Values. Catalysts. 2019; 9 (1):36.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bruno Conti; Barbara Bosio; Stephen John McPhail; Francesca Santoni; Davide Pumiglia; Elisabetta Arato. 2019. "A 2-D model for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Preliminarily Validated on Local Values." Catalysts 9, no. 1: 36.

Journal article
Published: 14 November 2018 in Education for Chemical Engineers
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This paper shows the implementation and the results of the application of the problem-based learning methodology within the framework of the school-work alternating programme (SWAP) in Italian High Schools. This methodology was articulated through five specific projects aimed at different student profiles inside a research group of Chemical Engineering at the University of Genoa (Italy). The proposed activities were aligned with the expected learning outcomes where creativity and originality were highly encouraged in order to promote lateral thinking. All the tasks were carried out in groups to boost team engagement and collaborative learning and used technological tools in specific problem-solving contexts. Students demonstrated positive attitudes towards the used technological tools, the collaborative work and the applied methodology. The great majority of the students showed satisfaction with the ICT tools and considered them as useful for their future career. The results also pointed out that participation and motivation were highly appreciated which was actually the basis of a successful implementation of the methodology. As a result of the exchange, students were able to promote their social and intellectual skills outside their usual comfort zone. At the same time, it constituted a public engagement opportunity for University as well as an important promotion tool towards society. Overall, the activities satisfied the main objectives of SWAP in terms of development of transversal competences and promotion of new technological skills and, more importantly, constituted an informative appreciated link between classroom lessons and, in this case, their immediate future as university students.

ACS Style

Cristina Moliner; Elisabetta Arato. Implementation of the Italian school-work alternating programme within chemical engineering activities. Education for Chemical Engineers 2018, 27, 1 -5.

AMA Style

Cristina Moliner, Elisabetta Arato. Implementation of the Italian school-work alternating programme within chemical engineering activities. Education for Chemical Engineers. 2018; 27 ():1-5.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Moliner; Elisabetta Arato. 2018. "Implementation of the Italian school-work alternating programme within chemical engineering activities." Education for Chemical Engineers 27, no. : 1-5.

Journal article
Published: 30 October 2018 in Particuology
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We simulated a lab-scale cold-flow spouted bed through computational fluid dynamics (CFD), coupled with the discrete element method (DEM) for the solid phase, using a commercial CFD program, ANSYS FLUENT 18.0. To limit the computational expense, we tested both a simplified pseudo-2D geometry and a complete 3D geometry. We found that the Haider and Levenspiel drag model is suitable for the pseudo-2D geometry; however, this model does not correctly predict fluidisation in the 3D geometry. Conversely, the Gidaspow drag model behaves accurately in the 3D geometry but overestimates the motion of particles in the pseudo-2D geometry. We studied several single-solid and binary mixtures to assess the reproducibility of segregation phenomena. The pseudo-2D model was able to predict the onset and minimum spouting flow rates of all mixtures with good accuracy. An analysis of the volume fraction contours of the binary mixtures permitted us to confirm that segregation phenomena were correctly predicted at low gas velocities. We showed that segregation decreased as the inlet gas flow rate was increased. Calculations performed in the complete 3D geometry were preliminarily assessed as more reliable but required almost four times as much computational time as those for the pseudo 2D geometry.

ACS Style

Filippo Marchelli; Cristina Moliner; Barbara Bosio; Elisabetta Arato. A CFD–DEM study of the behaviour of single-solid and binary mixtures in a pyramidal spouted bed. Particuology 2018, 42, 79 -91.

AMA Style

Filippo Marchelli, Cristina Moliner, Barbara Bosio, Elisabetta Arato. A CFD–DEM study of the behaviour of single-solid and binary mixtures in a pyramidal spouted bed. Particuology. 2018; 42 ():79-91.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippo Marchelli; Cristina Moliner; Barbara Bosio; Elisabetta Arato. 2018. "A CFD–DEM study of the behaviour of single-solid and binary mixtures in a pyramidal spouted bed." Particuology 42, no. : 79-91.

Journal article
Published: 17 October 2018 in Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
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Cryosurgery is a rapidly developing discipline, alternative to conventional surgical techniques, used to destroy cancer cells by the action of low temperatures. Currently, the refrigeration is obtained via the adiabatic expansion of gases in probes used for surgeries, with the need of inherently dangerous pressurized vessels. The proposed innovative prototypal apparatus aims to reach the cryosurgical temperatures exploiting a closed-loop refrigeration system, avoiding the hazardous presence of pressurized vessels in the operating room. This study preliminarily examines the technical feasibility of the cryoablation with this machine focusing the attention on the cryoprobe design. Cryoprobe geometry and materials are assessed and the related heat transfer taking place during the cryoablation process is simulated with the aid of the computational fluid dynamics software ANSYS®Fluent. Parametric analyses are carried out varying the length of the collecting tubes and the inlet velocity of the cold carrier fluid in the cryoprobe. The values obtained for physical quantities such as the temperature reached in the treated tissue, the width of the obtained cold front, and the maximum pressure required for the cold carrier fluid are calculated and discussed in order to prove the effectiveness of the experimental apparatus and develop the machine further.

ACS Style

Barbara Bosio; Dario Bove; Lorenzo Guidetti; Leopoldo Avalle; Elisabetta Arato. Numerical Simulation of the Heat Transfer in the Cryoprobe of an Innovative Apparatus for Cryosurgery. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 2018, 141, 011008 .

AMA Style

Barbara Bosio, Dario Bove, Lorenzo Guidetti, Leopoldo Avalle, Elisabetta Arato. Numerical Simulation of the Heat Transfer in the Cryoprobe of an Innovative Apparatus for Cryosurgery. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. 2018; 141 (1):011008.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Barbara Bosio; Dario Bove; Lorenzo Guidetti; Leopoldo Avalle; Elisabetta Arato. 2018. "Numerical Simulation of the Heat Transfer in the Cryoprobe of an Innovative Apparatus for Cryosurgery." Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 141, no. 1: 011008.

Articles
Published: 16 October 2018 in Chemical Engineering Communications
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The paper develops a new approach to the analysis of a solid–liquid phase diagram in terms of the chemical potentials of the single phases. The approach stems from the basic hypothesis that chemical potentials between different phases are equal at equilibrium. To make the idea operative, the mathematical dependence of the pertinent chemical potentials on the temperature and the mass fraction is determined by means of Aspen Plus; for definiteness a sodium chloride solution is examined. The phase diagram is established and the analytical properties of the curve are obtained. Moreover, the functional dependence of the mass fraction on the temperature at the freezing point is determined. The satisfactory agreement with new experimental data proves the validity of the procedure. The methodology so developed, provides an improved and rigorous mathematical overview for the analysis of phase diagrams. The approach is likely to be applicable to the investigation of solutions with several constituents or alloys.

ACS Style

Elisabetta Arato; Cristina Moliner; Angelo Morro. A new approach to the solubility in aqueous salt solutions. Chemical Engineering Communications 2018, 206, 672 -681.

AMA Style

Elisabetta Arato, Cristina Moliner, Angelo Morro. A new approach to the solubility in aqueous salt solutions. Chemical Engineering Communications. 2018; 206 (5):672-681.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elisabetta Arato; Cristina Moliner; Angelo Morro. 2018. "A new approach to the solubility in aqueous salt solutions." Chemical Engineering Communications 206, no. 5: 672-681.

Journal article
Published: 24 August 2018 in Sustainability
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An improved and more sustainable waste management system is required for successful development of technologies based on renewable sources. Rice straw is submitted to controlled combustion reactions and the produced ashes are chemically treated to produce silica. After a chemical activation step, the activated silica shows potential as an adsorbent agent and will be used to remove the excess of nitrates in groundwater and wells in the area of Alginet (Valencia, Spain), selected as a vulnerable zone within the Nitrates Directive. The demonstration activity aims to have a local impact on municipalities of 200 inhabitants or fewer, decreasing from current nitrate concentrations close to 50 mg/L, to a target of 25 mg/L. In a successive step, the methodology will be transferred to other municipalities with similar nitrate problems (Piemonte, Italy) and replicated to remove different pollutants such as manure (the Netherlands) and waste waters from the textile industry (Italy).

ACS Style

Cristina Moliner; Roberto Teruel-Juanes; Carmem T. Primaz; Jose David Badia; Barbara Bosio; Pilar Campíns-Falcó; Carmen Molíns-Legua; Francesc Hernandez; Lorenzo Sanjuan-Navarro; Plàcid Madramany; José Morán; José Castro; Francisco Javier Sanchis; José Domingo Martínez; Frank Hiddink; Amparo Ribes-Greus; Elisabetta Arato. Reduction of Nitrates in Waste Water through the Valorization of Rice Straw: LIFE LIBERNITRATE Project. Sustainability 2018, 10, 3007 .

AMA Style

Cristina Moliner, Roberto Teruel-Juanes, Carmem T. Primaz, Jose David Badia, Barbara Bosio, Pilar Campíns-Falcó, Carmen Molíns-Legua, Francesc Hernandez, Lorenzo Sanjuan-Navarro, Plàcid Madramany, José Morán, José Castro, Francisco Javier Sanchis, José Domingo Martínez, Frank Hiddink, Amparo Ribes-Greus, Elisabetta Arato. Reduction of Nitrates in Waste Water through the Valorization of Rice Straw: LIFE LIBERNITRATE Project. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (9):3007.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Moliner; Roberto Teruel-Juanes; Carmem T. Primaz; Jose David Badia; Barbara Bosio; Pilar Campíns-Falcó; Carmen Molíns-Legua; Francesc Hernandez; Lorenzo Sanjuan-Navarro; Plàcid Madramany; José Morán; José Castro; Francisco Javier Sanchis; José Domingo Martínez; Frank Hiddink; Amparo Ribes-Greus; Elisabetta Arato. 2018. "Reduction of Nitrates in Waste Water through the Valorization of Rice Straw: LIFE LIBERNITRATE Project." Sustainability 10, no. 9: 3007.

Article
Published: 24 April 2018 in The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering
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The initial setting up and preliminary tests on a square‐based spouted bed gasifier at pilot scale (20 kWth) have been investigated. The novel plant is composed of: a squared‐base spouted bed unit, a feeding system to regulate the biomass mass inflow, an air pump, a clean‐up system, and an online gas chromatograph analyzer to assess the quality of the produced gas. The profile of temperatures along the reactor has been monitored with different thermocouples during experimental tests. The start‐up process has been optimized to reduce the time to achieve stationary conditions. Two different materials (wood pellets and prunings from apple trees) have been tested at different feeding rates. Wood pellets were used to validate the performance of the spouted bed reactor and afterwards, residues of prunings from apple trees were validated as a suitable potential feedstock for energy recovery purposes. In addition, a representative sample of char from wood pellet gasification has been collected and characterized. In particular, the properties of specific surface area, pore size, and pore distribution have been measured by the Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller method. The obtained outcomes represent one of the few available results in literature using a square‐based spouted bed reactor for the gasification of biomass at pilot scale. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

ACS Style

Dario Bove; Cristina Moliner; Massimo Curti; Marco Baratieri; Barbara Bosio; Giorgio Rovero; Elisabetta Arato. Preliminary tests for the thermo‐chemical conversion of biomass in a spouted bed pilot plant. The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering 2018, 97, 59 -66.

AMA Style

Dario Bove, Cristina Moliner, Massimo Curti, Marco Baratieri, Barbara Bosio, Giorgio Rovero, Elisabetta Arato. Preliminary tests for the thermo‐chemical conversion of biomass in a spouted bed pilot plant. The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering. 2018; 97 (1):59-66.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dario Bove; Cristina Moliner; Massimo Curti; Marco Baratieri; Barbara Bosio; Giorgio Rovero; Elisabetta Arato. 2018. "Preliminary tests for the thermo‐chemical conversion of biomass in a spouted bed pilot plant." The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering 97, no. 1: 59-66.