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Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have recently attracted more attention in the context of sustainable energy production. They can be considered as a future solution for the treatment of organic wastes and the production of bioelectricity. However, the low output voltage and the low produced electricity limit their applications as energy supply systems. The scaling up of MFCs both by developing bigger reactors with multiple electrodes and by connecting several cells in stacked configurations is a valid solution for improving these performances. In this paper, the scaling up of a single air-cathode microbial fuel cell with an internal volume of 28 mL, has been studied to estimate how its performance can be improved (1523 mW/m3, at 0.139 mA). Four stacked configurations and a multi-electrode unit have been designed, developed, and tested. The stacked MFCs consist of 4 reactors (28 mL × 4) that are connected in series, parallel, series/parallel, and parallel/series modes. The multi-electrode unit consists of a bigger reactor (253 mL) with 4 anodes and 4 cathodes. The performance analysis has point ed out that the multi-electrode configuration shows the lowest performances in terms of volumetric power density equal to 471 mW/m3 at 0.345 mA and volumetric energy density of 624.2 Wh/m3. The stacked parallel/series configuration assures both the highest volumetric power density, equal to 2451 mW/m3 (274.6 µW) at 0.524 mA and the highest volumetric energy density, equal to 2742.0 Wh/m3. These results allow affirming that to increase the electric power output of MFCs, the stacked configuration is the optimal strategy from designing point of view.
Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Simona Di Micco; Paolo Di Giorgio; Giovanni Erme; Elio Jannelli. Investigating Air-Cathode Microbial Fuel Cells Performance under Different Serially and Parallelly Connected Configurations. Energies 2021, 14, 5116 .
AMA StyleMariagiovanna Minutillo, Simona Di Micco, Paolo Di Giorgio, Giovanni Erme, Elio Jannelli. Investigating Air-Cathode Microbial Fuel Cells Performance under Different Serially and Parallelly Connected Configurations. Energies. 2021; 14 (16):5116.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMariagiovanna Minutillo; Simona Di Micco; Paolo Di Giorgio; Giovanni Erme; Elio Jannelli. 2021. "Investigating Air-Cathode Microbial Fuel Cells Performance under Different Serially and Parallelly Connected Configurations." Energies 14, no. 16: 5116.
This paper presents the economic assessment of novel refueling stations, in which through advanced and high efficiency technologies, the polygeneration of more energy services like hydrogen, electricity and heat is carried out on-site. The architecture of these polygeneration plants is realized with a modular structure, organized in more sections. The primary energy source is ammonia that represents an interesting fuel for producing more energy streams. The ammonia feeds directly the SOFC that is able to co-generate simultaneously electricity and hydrogen by coupling a high efficiency energy system with hydrogen chemical storage. Two system configurations have been proposed considering different design concepts: in the first case (Concept_1) the plant is sized for producing 100 kg/day of hydrogen and the power section is sized also for self-sustaining the plant electric power consumption, while in the second one (Concept_2) the plant is sized for producing 100 kg/day of hydrogen and the power section is sized for self-sustaining the plant electric power consumption and for generating 50 kW for the DC fast charging. The economic analysis has been carried out in the current and target scenarios, by evaluating, the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH), the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), the Profitability Index (PI), Internal rate of Return (IRR) and the Discounted Payback Period (DPP). Results have highlighted that the values of the LCOH, for the proposed configurations and economic scenarios, are in the range 6–10 €/kg and the values of the LCOE range from 0.447 €/kWh to 0.242 €/kWh. In terms of PI and IRR, the best performance is achieved in the Concept_1 for the current scenario (1.89 and 8.0%, respectively). On the contrary, in the target scenario, thanks to a drastic costs reduction the co-production of hydrogen and electricity as useful outputs, becomes the best choice from all economic indexes and parameters considered.
Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna; Pasquale Di Trolio; Simona Di Micco; Elio Jannelli. Techno-economics of novel refueling stations based on ammonia-to-hydrogen route and SOFC technology. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 2020, 46, 10059 -10071.
AMA StyleMariagiovanna Minutillo, Alessandra Perna, Pasquale Di Trolio, Simona Di Micco, Elio Jannelli. Techno-economics of novel refueling stations based on ammonia-to-hydrogen route and SOFC technology. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2020; 46 (16):10059-10071.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna; Pasquale Di Trolio; Simona Di Micco; Elio Jannelli. 2020. "Techno-economics of novel refueling stations based on ammonia-to-hydrogen route and SOFC technology." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 46, no. 16: 10059-10071.
Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna; Alessandro Sorce. Combined hydrogen, heat and electricity generation via biogas reforming: Energy and economic assessments. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 2019, 44, 23880 -23898.
AMA StyleMariagiovanna Minutillo, Alessandra Perna, Alessandro Sorce. Combined hydrogen, heat and electricity generation via biogas reforming: Energy and economic assessments. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2019; 44 (43):23880-23898.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna; Alessandro Sorce. 2019. "Combined hydrogen, heat and electricity generation via biogas reforming: Energy and economic assessments." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 44, no. 43: 23880-23898.
Alessandra Perna; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Elio Jannelli; Viviana Cigolotti; Suk Woo Nam; Kyung Joong Yoon. Performance assessment of a hybrid SOFC/MGT cogeneration power plant fed by syngas from a biomass down-draft gasifier. Applied Energy 2018, 227, 80 -91.
AMA StyleAlessandra Perna, Mariagiovanna Minutillo, Elio Jannelli, Viviana Cigolotti, Suk Woo Nam, Kyung Joong Yoon. Performance assessment of a hybrid SOFC/MGT cogeneration power plant fed by syngas from a biomass down-draft gasifier. Applied Energy. 2018; 227 ():80-91.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessandra Perna; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Elio Jannelli; Viviana Cigolotti; Suk Woo Nam; Kyung Joong Yoon. 2018. "Performance assessment of a hybrid SOFC/MGT cogeneration power plant fed by syngas from a biomass down-draft gasifier." Applied Energy 227, no. : 80-91.
In this work two different configurations of MFCs are tested, evaluating the importance of the operative conditions on power production. All the MFCs were fabricated employing 3D printing technologies and, by using biocompatible materials as for the body as for the electrodes, are analyzed the point of strength and development needed at the state of the art for this particular application. Power productions and stability in terms of energy production are deepen investigated for both the systems in order to quantify how much power can be extracted from the bacteria when a load is fixed for long time.
Elio Jannelli; Pasquale Di Trolio; Fabio Flagiello; Mariagiovanna Minutillo. Development and Performance analysis of Biowaste based Microbial Fuel Cells fabricated employing Additive Manufacturing technologies. Energy Procedia 2018, 148, 1135 -1142.
AMA StyleElio Jannelli, Pasquale Di Trolio, Fabio Flagiello, Mariagiovanna Minutillo. Development and Performance analysis of Biowaste based Microbial Fuel Cells fabricated employing Additive Manufacturing technologies. Energy Procedia. 2018; 148 ():1135-1142.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElio Jannelli; Pasquale Di Trolio; Fabio Flagiello; Mariagiovanna Minutillo. 2018. "Development and Performance analysis of Biowaste based Microbial Fuel Cells fabricated employing Additive Manufacturing technologies." Energy Procedia 148, no. : 1135-1142.
M. Minutillo; A. Forcina; N. Jannelli; A. Lubrano Lavadera. Assessment of a sustainable energy chain designed for promoting the hydrogen mobility by means of fuel-cell powered bicycles. Energy 2018, 153, 200 -210.
AMA StyleM. Minutillo, A. Forcina, N. Jannelli, A. Lubrano Lavadera. Assessment of a sustainable energy chain designed for promoting the hydrogen mobility by means of fuel-cell powered bicycles. Energy. 2018; 153 ():200-210.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Minutillo; A. Forcina; N. Jannelli; A. Lubrano Lavadera. 2018. "Assessment of a sustainable energy chain designed for promoting the hydrogen mobility by means of fuel-cell powered bicycles." Energy 153, no. : 200-210.
The waste to energy (WtE) facilities and the renewable energy storage systems have a strategic role in the promotion of the "eco-innovation", an emerging priority in the European Union. This paper aims to propose advanced plant configurations in which waste to energy plants and electric energy storage systems from intermittent renewable sources are combined for obtaining more efficient and clean energy solutions in accordance with the "eco-innovation" approach. The advanced plant configurations consist of an electric energy storage (EES) section based on a solid oxide electrolyzer (SOEC), a waste gasification section based on the plasma technology and a power generation section based on a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The plant configurations differ for the utilization of electrolytic hydrogen and oxygen in the plasma gasification section and in the power generation section. In the first plant configuration IAPGFC (Integrated Air Plasma Gasification Fuel Cell), the renewable oxygen enriches the air stream, that is used as plasma gas in the gasification section, and the renewable hydrogen is used to enrich the anodic stream of the SOFC in the power generation section. In the second plant configuration IHPGFC (Integrated Hydrogen Plasma Gasification Fuel Cell) the renewable hydrogen is used as plasma gas in the plasma gasification section, and the renewable oxygen is used to enrich the cathodic stream of the SOFC in the power generation section. The analysis has been carried out by using numerical models for predicting and comparing the systems performances in terms of electric efficiency and capability in realizing the waste to energy and the electric energy storage of renewable sources. Results have highlighted that the electric efficiency is very high for all configurations (35-45%) and, thanks to the combination with the waste to energy technology, the storage efficiencies are very attractive (in the range 72-92%).
Alessandra Perna; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Antonio Lubrano Lavadera; Elio Jannelli. Combining plasma gasification and solid oxide cell technologies in advanced power plants for waste to energy and electric energy storage applications. Waste Management 2018, 73, 424 -438.
AMA StyleAlessandra Perna, Mariagiovanna Minutillo, Antonio Lubrano Lavadera, Elio Jannelli. Combining plasma gasification and solid oxide cell technologies in advanced power plants for waste to energy and electric energy storage applications. Waste Management. 2018; 73 ():424-438.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessandra Perna; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Antonio Lubrano Lavadera; Elio Jannelli. 2018. "Combining plasma gasification and solid oxide cell technologies in advanced power plants for waste to energy and electric energy storage applications." Waste Management 73, no. : 424-438.
Alessandra Perna; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Elio Jannelli. Designing and analyzing an electric energy storage system based on reversible solid oxide cells. Energy Conversion and Management 2018, 159, 381 -395.
AMA StyleAlessandra Perna, Mariagiovanna Minutillo, Elio Jannelli. Designing and analyzing an electric energy storage system based on reversible solid oxide cells. Energy Conversion and Management. 2018; 159 ():381-395.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessandra Perna; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Elio Jannelli. 2018. "Designing and analyzing an electric energy storage system based on reversible solid oxide cells." Energy Conversion and Management 159, no. : 381-395.
Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna; Elio Jannelli; Viviana Cigolotti; Suk Woo Nam; Sung Pil Yoon; Byeong Wan Kwon. Coupling of Biomass Gasification and SOFC – Gas Turbine Hybrid System for Small Scale Cogeneration Applications. Energy Procedia 2017, 105, 730 -737.
AMA StyleMariagiovanna Minutillo, Alessandra Perna, Elio Jannelli, Viviana Cigolotti, Suk Woo Nam, Sung Pil Yoon, Byeong Wan Kwon. Coupling of Biomass Gasification and SOFC – Gas Turbine Hybrid System for Small Scale Cogeneration Applications. Energy Procedia. 2017; 105 ():730-737.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna; Elio Jannelli; Viviana Cigolotti; Suk Woo Nam; Sung Pil Yoon; Byeong Wan Kwon. 2017. "Coupling of Biomass Gasification and SOFC – Gas Turbine Hybrid System for Small Scale Cogeneration Applications." Energy Procedia 105, no. : 730-737.
Rosana Adami Mattioda; Vincenzo Antonucci; Catherine Azzaro-Pantel; Osiris Canciglieri Junior; Huan Cao; Maurizio Cellura; Fabio De Felice; Sofía De-León Almaraz; Liang Dong; Lichun Dong; Yi Dou; Marco Ferraro; Suzhao Gao; Zhiqiu Gao; Michael E. Goodsite; Francesco Guarino; Elio Jannelli; Hanwei Liang; Sonia Longo; José Luiz Casela; Alessandro Manzardo; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Antonella Petrillo; Jingzheng Ren; Antonio Scipioni; Gaetano Squadrito; Lu Sun; Shiyu Tan; Pâmela Teixeira Fernandes; Sara Toniolo; Shun’An Wei; Di Xu. List of Contributors. Hydrogen Economy 2017, 1 .
AMA StyleRosana Adami Mattioda, Vincenzo Antonucci, Catherine Azzaro-Pantel, Osiris Canciglieri Junior, Huan Cao, Maurizio Cellura, Fabio De Felice, Sofía De-León Almaraz, Liang Dong, Lichun Dong, Yi Dou, Marco Ferraro, Suzhao Gao, Zhiqiu Gao, Michael E. Goodsite, Francesco Guarino, Elio Jannelli, Hanwei Liang, Sonia Longo, José Luiz Casela, Alessandro Manzardo, Mariagiovanna Minutillo, Antonella Petrillo, Jingzheng Ren, Antonio Scipioni, Gaetano Squadrito, Lu Sun, Shiyu Tan, Pâmela Teixeira Fernandes, Sara Toniolo, Shun’An Wei, Di Xu. List of Contributors. Hydrogen Economy. 2017; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRosana Adami Mattioda; Vincenzo Antonucci; Catherine Azzaro-Pantel; Osiris Canciglieri Junior; Huan Cao; Maurizio Cellura; Fabio De Felice; Sofía De-León Almaraz; Liang Dong; Lichun Dong; Yi Dou; Marco Ferraro; Suzhao Gao; Zhiqiu Gao; Michael E. Goodsite; Francesco Guarino; Elio Jannelli; Hanwei Liang; Sonia Longo; José Luiz Casela; Alessandro Manzardo; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Antonella Petrillo; Jingzheng Ren; Antonio Scipioni; Gaetano Squadrito; Lu Sun; Shiyu Tan; Pâmela Teixeira Fernandes; Sara Toniolo; Shun’An Wei; Di Xu. 2017. "List of Contributors." Hydrogen Economy , no. : 1.
Nowadays the biggest challenge for most organizations is a real and substantial application of sustainability through the measurement and comparability of results in order to satisfy the principles of sustainability of all the stakeholders. Definitively, it is necessary to pursue sustainability through the measurements of specific indicators and control the variables that influence the state of the economic, social and environmental issues. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the development of a comprehensive, yet practical and reliable tool for a systematic sustainability assessment, based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to support decision makers in complex decision problems in the field of environmental sustainability. The results are applied to a novel compressed air energy storage system proposed as a suitable technology for the energy storage in a small scale stand-alone renewable energy power plant (photovoltaic power plant) that is designed to satisfy the energy demand of a radio base station for mobile telecommunications. The outcome is a dynamic analysis and iterative integrated sustainability assessment of corporate performance
Antonella Petrillo; Fabio De Felice; Elio Jannelli; Claudio Autorino; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Antonio Lubrano Lavadera. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) analysis model for a stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system. Renewable Energy 2016, 95, 337 -355.
AMA StyleAntonella Petrillo, Fabio De Felice, Elio Jannelli, Claudio Autorino, Mariagiovanna Minutillo, Antonio Lubrano Lavadera. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) analysis model for a stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system. Renewable Energy. 2016; 95 ():337-355.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Petrillo; Fabio De Felice; Elio Jannelli; Claudio Autorino; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Antonio Lubrano Lavadera. 2016. "Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) analysis model for a stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system." Renewable Energy 95, no. : 337-355.
In this paper the integration of the energy production from programmable (biomass, waste) and not programmable (solar, wind) renewable sources is examined as an opportunity for increasing the share of electricity from renewable power plants, in order to overcome the major obstacles to their extensive penetration into the grid. The integration is performed by using hydrogen from intermittent renewable energy powered-electrolysis as gasification medium in conventional or advanced gasification systems for the waste treatment. The proposed integrated energy system consists of three main sections: i) the hydrogen production island; ii) the gasification island; iii) the power island. The assessment of the system performance has been conducted by considering two gasification technologies: hydro- gasification and hydro-plasma gasification. The performances comparison has been carried out in terms of syngas composition, energy consumptions and electric efficiency. Results have pointed out that the electric efficiencies of the integrated energy systems are in the range of 40% and 43%.\ud Furthermore, it is found that by combining the storage of intermittent renewable energy sources with a waste gasification combined cycle power plant it is possible to achieve better performance with respect to the performance that can be obtained by storage and waste to energy systems operating separately
Alessandra Perna; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Elio Jannelli. Hydrogen from intermittent renewable energy sources as gasification medium in integrated waste gasification combined cycle power plants: A performance comparison. Energy 2016, 94, 457 -465.
AMA StyleAlessandra Perna, Mariagiovanna Minutillo, Elio Jannelli. Hydrogen from intermittent renewable energy sources as gasification medium in integrated waste gasification combined cycle power plants: A performance comparison. Energy. 2016; 94 ():457-465.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessandra Perna; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Elio Jannelli. 2016. "Hydrogen from intermittent renewable energy sources as gasification medium in integrated waste gasification combined cycle power plants: A performance comparison." Energy 94, no. : 457-465.
The renewable energy systems promotion in the field of the distributed generation is linked to the development of efficient energy storage systems. This study analyzes the behavior and the performance of a photovoltaic power system that, integrated with an adiabatic CAES (compressed air energy storage) unit, supplies electric power to a small scale off-grid BTS (base transceiver station) using only a renewable resource. The adiabatic condition of the CAES system is assured by realizing a TES (thermal energy storage) unit that recovers the heat from the inter-cooling compression for satisfying the inter-heating expansion without using additional fossil fuels. The power system is also designed to obtain a cooling effect from the cold air (3 °C) at the outlet of the turbine, useful for the refrigeration of the telecommunications equipment. The aim of this study is to assess the optimal plant operating parameters, in terms of average storage pressure and operating pressure range of the air tank, considering the plant installation in three different climatic zones. The analysis has been carried out by introducing some performance parameters such as the system storage efficiency, the energy supply factor and the cooling supply factor. Results have highlighted that the best performance can be obtained by choosing both the lowest average pressure and the highest operating pressure range of the air tank.
M. Minutillo; A. Lubrano Lavadera; E. Jannelli. Assessment of design and operating parameters for a small compressed air energy storage system integrated with a stand-alone renewable power plant. Journal of Energy Storage 2015, 4, 135 -144.
AMA StyleM. Minutillo, A. Lubrano Lavadera, E. Jannelli. Assessment of design and operating parameters for a small compressed air energy storage system integrated with a stand-alone renewable power plant. Journal of Energy Storage. 2015; 4 ():135-144.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Minutillo; A. Lubrano Lavadera; E. Jannelli. 2015. "Assessment of design and operating parameters for a small compressed air energy storage system integrated with a stand-alone renewable power plant." Journal of Energy Storage 4, no. : 135-144.
Energy systems based on fuel cells technology can have a strategic role in the range of small-size power generation for the sustainable energy development.\ud In order to enhance their performance, it is possible to recover the “waste heat” from the fuel cells, for producing or thermal power (cogeneration systems) or further electric power by means of a bottoming power cycle (combined systems).\ud In this work an advanced system based on the integration between a HT-PEMFC (high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell) power unit and an ORC (organic Rankine cycle) plant, has been proposed and analysed as suitable energy power plant for supplying electric and thermal energies to a stand-alone residential utility.\ud The system can operate both as cogeneration system, in which the electric and thermal loads are satisfied by the HT-PEMFC power unit and as electric generation system, in which the low temperature heat recovered from the fuel cells is used as energy source in the ORC plant for increasing the electric power production.\ud A numerical model, able to characterize the behavior and to predict the performance of the HT-PEMFC/ ORC system under different working conditions, has been developed by using the AspenPlusTM code
Alessandra Perna; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Elio Jannelli. Investigations on an advanced power system based on a high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and an organic Rankine cycle for heating and power production. Energy 2015, 88, 874 -884.
AMA StyleAlessandra Perna, Mariagiovanna Minutillo, Elio Jannelli. Investigations on an advanced power system based on a high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and an organic Rankine cycle for heating and power production. Energy. 2015; 88 ():874-884.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessandra Perna; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Elio Jannelli. 2015. "Investigations on an advanced power system based on a high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and an organic Rankine cycle for heating and power production." Energy 88, no. : 874-884.
This paper deals with a system-level modelling for the performance prediction of power units based on fuel cells that are designed to work witha syngas or with a fuel that can contain CO, such as HT-PEMFCs, MCFCs and SOFCs. The model solves mass and energy balances and allows to estimate the polarization curves by applying mathematical equations that take into account the different type of fuel cell. The empirical coefficients of the model equations have been tuned by using available experimental data.
Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna; Stefano Ubertini. Development of a system-level model for fuel cell power units operated with syngas. PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NUMERICAL ANALYSIS AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS 2014 (ICNAAM-2014) 2015, 1648, 570008 .
AMA StyleMariagiovanna Minutillo, Alessandra Perna, Stefano Ubertini. Development of a system-level model for fuel cell power units operated with syngas. PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NUMERICAL ANALYSIS AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS 2014 (ICNAAM-2014). 2015; 1648 ():570008.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna; Stefano Ubertini. 2015. "Development of a system-level model for fuel cell power units operated with syngas." PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NUMERICAL ANALYSIS AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS 2014 (ICNAAM-2014) 1648, no. : 570008.
Vesselin Krastev; Giacomo Falcucci; Elio Jannelli; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Raffaello Cozzolino. 3D CFD modeling and experimental characterization of HT PEM fuel cells at different anode gas compositions. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 2014, 39, 21663 -21672.
AMA StyleVesselin Krastev, Giacomo Falcucci, Elio Jannelli, Mariagiovanna Minutillo, Raffaello Cozzolino. 3D CFD modeling and experimental characterization of HT PEM fuel cells at different anode gas compositions. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2014; 39 (36):21663-21672.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVesselin Krastev; Giacomo Falcucci; Elio Jannelli; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Raffaello Cozzolino. 2014. "3D CFD modeling and experimental characterization of HT PEM fuel cells at different anode gas compositions." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 39, no. 36: 21663-21672.
This paper focuses on the performance analysis of microcogeneration systems based on the integration between a reforming unit (RFU), consisting of a natural gas steam reforming, and a power unit, based on the PEM fuel cell technology. The analysis has been carried out considering, as power unit, three different PEM fuel cells: a low temperature PEM fuel cell with Nafion™ membrane (LT-FC) operating at 67. °C, a high temperature PEM fuel cell with a membrane based on polybenzimidazole material doped with phosphoric acid (HT-FC1) operating at 160. °C, and a high temperature PEM fuel cell that uses aromatic polyether polymers/copolymers bearing pyridine units doped with phosphoric acid as electrolyte (HT-FC2) operating at 180. °C.The study has been conducted by using numerical models tuned by experimental data measured in test benches developed at University of Cassino.For sizing the power units able to provide a maximum electric power of 2.5. kW (this size allows to satisfy the electric and thermal energy demand of an Italian household), two designing criteria have been considered.Results have shown that the integrated systems based on the HT-FCs are characterized by high electric efficiency (40%) and cogeneration efficiency (79%).Moreover, the thermal power recovered decreases with the stacks operating temperature, thus the highest cogeneration efficiency (80%) is obtained by the microcogeneration system based on low temperature fuel cells. However, the availability of high temperature heat makes the HT-FC an attractive solution for the cogeneration/trigeneration systems development. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd
Elio Jannelli; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna. Analyzing microcogeneration systems based on LT-PEMFC and HT-PEMFC by energy balances. Applied Energy 2013, 108, 82 -91.
AMA StyleElio Jannelli, Mariagiovanna Minutillo, Alessandra Perna. Analyzing microcogeneration systems based on LT-PEMFC and HT-PEMFC by energy balances. Applied Energy. 2013; 108 ():82-91.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElio Jannelli; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna. 2013. "Analyzing microcogeneration systems based on LT-PEMFC and HT-PEMFC by energy balances." Applied Energy 108, no. : 82-91.
Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is regarded as a potential future power technology for stationary and mobile applications due to its high efficiency (full and partial load), rapid start‐up, high power density, and low emissions. Depending on their particular application field (decentralized combined heat and power production, uninterrupted power supplies (UPS), or mobile applications) different operating conditions and designing parameters are required and different performance can be expected. Thus, the aim of this paper is to investigate the behavior and performance of two stacks of the same size, developed with a different approach according to their application sectors. The first PEMFC stack is designed for UPS units or mobile purpose, the second one, is designed to supply heat and power in residential applications (CHP units). The analysis of the stacks behavior has been carried out by using both experimental and numerical investigations. Experimental results have allowed: (i) to characterize the stacks; (ii) to calibrate the numerical model; (iii) to supply useful data for setting and improving the control system.
Elio Jannelli; M. Minutillo; Alessandra Perna. Experimental Characterization and Numerical Modeling of PEMFC Stacks Designed for Different Application Fields. Fuel Cells 2011, 11, 838 -849.
AMA StyleElio Jannelli, M. Minutillo, Alessandra Perna. Experimental Characterization and Numerical Modeling of PEMFC Stacks Designed for Different Application Fields. Fuel Cells. 2011; 11 (6):838-849.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElio Jannelli; M. Minutillo; Alessandra Perna. 2011. "Experimental Characterization and Numerical Modeling of PEMFC Stacks Designed for Different Application Fields." Fuel Cells 11, no. 6: 838-849.
The waste management is become a very crucial issue in many countries, due to the ever- increasing amount of waste material, both domiciliary and industrial, generated. The main strategies for the waste management are the increase of material recovery (MR), which can reduce the landfill disposal, the improvement of energy recovery (ER) from waste and the minimization of the environmental impact. These two last objectives can be achieved by introducing a novel technology for waste treatment based on a plasma torch gasification system integrated with a high efficiency energy conversion system, such as combined cycle power plant or high-temperature fuel cells. This work aims to evaluate the performance of an Integrated Plasma Gasification/Fuel Cell system (IPGFC) in order to establish its energy suitability and environmental feature. The performance analysis of this system has been carried out by using a numerical model properly defined and implemented in Aspen Plus™ code environment. The model is based on the combination of a thermochemical model of the plasma gasification unit, previously developed by the authors (the so-called EquiPlasmaJet model), and an electrochemical model for the SOFC fuel cell stack simulation. The EPJ model has been employed to predict the syngas composition and the energy balance of an RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) plasma arc gasifier (that uses air as plasma gas), whereas the SOFC electrochemical model, that is a system-level model, has allowed to forecast the stack performance in terms of electrical power and efficiency. Results point out that the IPGFC system is able to produce a net power of 4.2 MW per kg of RDF with an electric efficiency of about 33%. This efficiency is high in comparison with those reached by conventional technologies based on RDF incineration (20%).
G. Galeno; M. Minutillo; A. Perna. From waste to electricity through integrated plasma gasification/fuel cell (IPGFC) system. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 2011, 36, 1692 -1701.
AMA StyleG. Galeno, M. Minutillo, A. Perna. From waste to electricity through integrated plasma gasification/fuel cell (IPGFC) system. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2011; 36 (2):1692-1701.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Galeno; M. Minutillo; A. Perna. 2011. "From waste to electricity through integrated plasma gasification/fuel cell (IPGFC) system." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 36, no. 2: 1692-1701.
The behavior of fuel cells (FCs) at steady state and during transients is an important factor both for control tuning and for performance assessment. In the technical literature, few papers deal systematically with FC characterization. In this paper, the performance characterization of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) FC is carried out using an experimental analysis. The experimental activity has been conducted in a test station, properly designed and able to test PEM FC stacks in the range of 500-2000 W. The laboratory test facility is equipped with a National Instruments CompactDAQ real-time data acquisition and control system running a LabVIEW software. The bench commands two mass flow controllers, regulating both fuel flow and air flow which are commanded via two Recommended Standard 232 ports. The temperature of the FC is regulated via a fan operated by a brushless motor drive. An electronic load is connected to the FC terminals. The main operating parameters, such as the air stoichiometric ratio and fuel composition, have been varied and measured, and their influence on the PEM FC behavior has been investigated under both steady-state and transient conditions.
Fabrizio Marignetti; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna; Elio Jannelli. Assessment of Fuel Cell Performance Under Different Air Stoichiometries and Fuel Composition. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics 2010, 58, 2420 -2426.
AMA StyleFabrizio Marignetti, Mariagiovanna Minutillo, Alessandra Perna, Elio Jannelli. Assessment of Fuel Cell Performance Under Different Air Stoichiometries and Fuel Composition. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics. 2010; 58 (6):2420-2426.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFabrizio Marignetti; Mariagiovanna Minutillo; Alessandra Perna; Elio Jannelli. 2010. "Assessment of Fuel Cell Performance Under Different Air Stoichiometries and Fuel Composition." IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics 58, no. 6: 2420-2426.