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Sul mercato esistono molti materiali adsorbenti (prevalentemente a base di carboni attivi eventualmente impregnati, zeoliti, alcuni ossidi metallici) per la desolforazione e la rimozione di VOC anche a temperatura e pressione ambiente. Tuttavia questi materiali mostrano capacità relativamente basse e/o cinetiche di cattura lente a temperatura ambiente, che inevitabilmente si traducono nella necessità di utilizzare grandi volumi di impianto. La ricerca svolta dall'IRC-CNR Napoli e DSC-UNINA, in stretta collaborazione, parte dalla considerazione che lo sviluppo di nuovi materiali e processi ad alta efficienza per la desolforazione (in particolare attraverso adsorbimento) rappresenta un traguardo cruciale per l'impiego vantaggioso di una fonte energetica rinnovabile e residuale quale il biogas, anche su piccola scala in un'ottica di generazione distribuita di energia. La ricerca è stata indirizzata allo sviluppo di materiali adsorbenti ad alte prestazioni e basso costo in grado di far fronte a condizioni operative assai diversificate in termini di temperature (già a partire da temperatura ambiente) e composizioni dei gas da trattare (es. presenza di altri inquinanti).

The modern Common Rail Diesel engine are, normally, optimised for being fuelled with the commercial Diesel fuel. The ECU calibrations are, consequently, defined to obtain the correct compromise between performances and emissions. It is, so, clear that if the engine is fuelled with an alternative bio-fuel with different characteristics (net heating value, stoichiometric A/F ratio, density, viscosity, etc.) the calibration must be modify. Interest in fuels from renewable sources and their use in transport has grown over the last decade. This is because of their biodegradability, potential improvements in exhaust emissions and benefits on the virtuous CO2 cycle of the earth. This paper demonstrates that it is possible to optimise the emissions and the performances of a light duty diesel C.R. engine fuelled with a vegetable derived fuel (Rapeseed Methyl-Ester) pure or blended with commercial Diesel fuel. Particularly in this paper the experimental results and the ECU control solutions referring to different fuel compositions are shown.

This paper is focused on the measurement issues and procedures for the characterization of medium voltage grids for narrowband power line communications (NB-PLCs), in the perspective of the use and integration of such technology into smart grids communication networks. The fundamentals are given for the characterization of the PLC channel, by means of noise and attenuation measurements. Suitable procedures are also developed for the characterization and modeling of the power system components in the frequency range of interest. Furthermore, the complete model of the PLC system is experimentally validated in a real case study.

In this paper some preliminary experimental results on a Zebra battery based propulsion system for urban bus applications are presented. The tests were carried out using a laboratory 1:1 scale test bench, composed by a 65 kW electric drive, specifically designed for urban bus applications, supplied by two 20 kWh Zebra batteries connected in parallel. The electric power train was tested on a laboratory bench, connected through a fixed ratio gear box to a 100 kW regenerative electric brake provided with speed and torque controls, in order to evaluate the propulsion system performance in steady state operative conditions. The obtained preliminary experimental results were utilized to implement a Matlab-Simulink model of urban bus, which might be powered by the same electric propulsion system studied. Thanks to this model it was possible to evaluate the dynamic behavior of the urban bus, working on standard driving cycles, taking into account the resistant forces represented by proper vehicle/road/aerodynamic parameters. An evaluation of the expected real vehicle driving range was also estimated in different road conditions.

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 116 + (2013) 176-181. doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2013.04.019

This paper aims to correlate the in-cylinder soot formation and the exhaust particle emissions for different methods of gasoline/ethanol fueling in spark ignition engine. In particular, the engine was fueled with gasoline and ethanol separately and not, in this latter case both blended (E30) and dual fueled (EDF). For E30 the bend was direct injected and for EDF, the ethanol was injected in the combustion chamber and the gasoline into the intake duct. For both the injection configurations, the same percentage of ethanol in gasoline was supplied: 30%v/v. The measurements were carried out at 2000 and 4000 rpm, under full load, and stoichiometric condition, in small single cylinder optical engine. 2D-digital imaging was performed to follow the combustion process with a high spatial and temporal resolution through a full-bore optical piston. The two-color pyrometry was applied for the analysis of the in cylinder soot formation in the combustion chamber. Particle mass concentration was evaluated at the exhaust by means of a smoke meter. The particle size distribution function was measured in the range from 5.6 to 560 nm by an Engine Exhaust Particle Sizer (EEPS). It was observed that the use of ethanol allows the reduction of soot formation and particles emission in DI configuration. However, for E30 the in-cylinder soot formation and emissions are larger than EDF. This result is mainly due to the different contribution of gasoline. Optical analysis shows that in E30 the direct injected gasoline causes wide diffusive flames where soot formation is promoted; whereas for EDF the better evaporation and mixing of gasoline, typical of PFI configuration, results in few, small, and localized diffusive flames producing smaller particle emissions.

The use of methane as supplement to liquid fuel is one of the solution proposed for the reduction of the internal combustion engine pollutant emissions. Its intrinsic properties as the high knocking resistance and the low carbon content makes methane the most promising clean fuel. The dual fuel combustion mode allows improving the methane combustion acting mainly on the methane slow burning velocity and allowing lean burn combustion mode. An experimental investigation was carried out to study the methane-gasoline dual fuel combustion. Methane was injected in combustion chamber (DI fuel) while gasoline was injected in the intake manifold (PFI fuel). The measurements were carried out in an optically accessible small single-cylinder four-stroke engine. It was equipped with the cylinder head of a commercial 250 cc motorcycles engine representative of the most popular two-wheel vehicles in Europe. UV-visible spectroscopy measurements were performed to analyze the combustion process with high spatial and temporal resolution. In particular, UV-visible spectroscopy allows detecting the chemical markers of combustion process such as the radicals OH* and CH*. The in-cylinder lambda spatial and temporal evolution was evaluated. The combustion evolution is characterized by means of a high speed cycle resolved camera. The exhaust emissions were characterized by means of gaseous analyzers. The measurements were performed under steady state conditions at different engine operating conditions.

A new concept of a system for Combined Heat and Power generation is presented. The concept is based on hybrid use of two renewable energy sources, direct solar (thermodynamic solar) and biomass (indirect solar energy). Biomass combustion is conducted using a fluidized bed combustor. A second source of energy, given by the direct irradiation of the bed with a concentrated solar radiation, is integrated in the same system, using the fluidized bed as solar receiver. A Stirling engine converts heat into mechanical power. A Scheffler type mirror is adopted to allow irradiation of the system in a fixed focal point. Advantages of the proposed solution are illustrated and some preliminary results on the performance of the system, obtained with a simple model, are presented. The principal improvements with respect to existing systems of similar size and primary energy source are illustrated. The most important are the enhanced heat transfer processes that are realized with the help of the fluidized bed, and the possibility of continuous cogeneration during the day. Different working conditions are considered to estimate the contribution given by the burning of fuel, in presence as well as in absence of sun irradiation (as during the night). The distribution of energy shares among the different flux contributes is reported versus the amount of biomass burned per unit time. The results clearly demonstrate the advantage of coupling, in the same system, two sources for heat generation, thus maintaining the option of producing electricity without the supply of biomass fuel.

ON 16 NOVEMBER 2000, the final report of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) was launched in London, in the presence of South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela. This represented a remarkable milestone in the history of dam policy and politics. During its two-year existence, WCD had conducted the most extensive review of research and evidence regarding the planning, impacts, and management of large dams. It had engaged with numerous stakeholders around the globe. It also made comprehensive recommendations about how to improve dam planning and management.