@article{
	11589_60124,
	author = { Amirante  Riccardo  and  Clodoveo  Maria Lisa  and  Distaso  Elia  and  Ruggiero  Francesco  and  Tamburrano  Paolo },
	title = {A tri-generation plant fuelled with olive tree pruning residues in Apulia: An energetic and economic analysis},
	year = {2016},
	journal = {RENEWABLE ENERGY},
	volume = {89},
	abstract = {This paper presents the energetic and economic analysis of a virtuous example consisting of a trigeneration system fuelled only with olive tree pruning residues and planned to be located next to Bari Airport (Apulia, Italy). The main goal is to demonstrate the feasibility and convenience of producing cooling, heating and electrical power from olive tree pruning residues in those regions characterized by a high availability of this kind of biomass, such as Apulia. A strategic location was selected, namely Bari Airport (Apulia), and this paper demonstrates the economic convenience of installing a commercially available Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) unit of 280 kWe that is capable of satisfying the thermal demands of the airport, with the addition of an absorption chiller for air conditioning in the airport buildings. First it is verified that the quantity of oil tree pruning residues available in the area surrounding the airport
fully can satisfy the plant demand of feedstock. Then a detailed description of the components of the
plant is provided. The performance of the plant is therefore evaluated in order to assess the thermodynamic
competitiveness of a tri-generative system fuelled with this type of biomass. Finally, a detailed
economic analysis is carried out with the aim of demonstrating the advantages that the plant can assure
in terms of payback period (PBP), net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR). Two different
typologies of government incentives are considered. In both of which, the PBP is 6 years with an IRR of
about 21% and this points out the great economic attractiveness of the project. From an ecological point
of view, the plant can ensure a remarkable reduction in CO2 emissions.},
	keywords = {Agricultural residues; Economic analysis; Organic Rankine Cycle; Tri-generation; Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment},
	url = {http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-and-sustainable-energy-reviews/},
	doi = {10.1016/j.renene.2015.11.085},	
	pages = {411--421}
}
@article{
	11589_6057,
	author = { Amirante R  and  Tamburrano P },
	title = {Novel, cost-effective configurations of combined power plants for small-scale cogeneration from biomass: Feasibility study and performance optimization},
	year = {2015},
	journal = {ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT},
	volume = {97},
	abstract = {The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that, thanks to recent advances in designing micro steam expanders and gas to gas heat exchangers, the use of small combined cycles for simultaneous generation of heat and power from the external combustion of solid biomass and low quality biofuels is feasible. In particular, a novel typology of combined cycle that has the potential both to be cost-effective and to achieve a high level of efficiency is presented. In the small combined cycle proposed, a commercially available micro-steam turbine is utilized as the steam expander of the bottoming cycle, while the conventional microturbine of the topping cycle is replaced by a cheaper automotive turbocharger. The feasibility, reliability and availability of the required mechanical and thermal components are thoroughly investigated. In order to explore the potential of such a novel typology of power plant, an optimization procedure, based on a genetic algorithm combined with a computing code, is utilized to analyze the trade-off between the maximization of the electrical efficiency and the maximization of the thermal efficiency. Two design optimizations are performed: the first one makes use of the innovative “Immersed Particle Heat Exchanger”, whilst a nickel alloy heat exchanger is used in the other one. After selecting the optimum combination of the design parameters, the operation in load following mode is also assessed for both configurations.},
	keywords = {Combined heat and power; Biomass; Combined cycle; Gas to gas heat exchanger; Cogeneration},
	doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2015.03.047.},	
	pages = {111--120}
}
@conference{
	11589_18447,
	author = { Amirante R  and  Distaso E  and  Tamburrano P  and  Reitz R  D },
	title = {Measured and Predicted Soot Particle Emissions from
Natural Gas Engines},
	year = {2015},
	booktitle = {12th International Conference on Engines & Vehicles!},
	abstract = {Due to the new challenge of meeting number-based regulations for
particulate matter (PM), a numerical and experimental study has been
conducted to better understand particulate formation in engines
fuelled with compressed natural gas. The study has been conducted
on a Heavy-Duty, Euro VI, 4-cylinder, spark ignited engine, with
multipoint sequential phased injection and stoichiometric
combustion. For the experimental measurements two different
instruments were used: a condensation particle counter (CPC) and a
fast-response particle size spectrometer (DMS) the latter able also to
provide a particle size distribution of the measured particles in the
range from 5 to 1000 nm. Experimental measurements in both
stationary and transient conditions were carried out. The data using
the World Harmonized Transient Cycle (WHTC) were useful to
detect which operating conditions lead to high numbers of particles.
Then a further transient test was used for a more detailed and deeper
analysis. Finally 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
simulations were performed and the numerical results obtained were
compared to particle size distributions (PSDs) derived from the
experimental measurements carried out in stationary conditions. In
this way the influences of engine load and regime on particle size
distribution (PSD) were determined. A semi-detailed soot model and
a chemical kinetic model, including poly-aromatic hydrocarbon
(PAH) formation, were coupled with a spark ignition model and the
G equation flame propagation model for the SI engine simulations
and for predictions of soot mass and particulate number density.
Qualitative agreements of in-cylinder particle distributions were
obtained and results are helpful to understand particulate formation
processes.},
	url = {http://papers.sae.org/2015-24-2518},
	doi = {10.4271/2015-24-2518},	
}
@conference{
	11589_20229,
	author = { Amirante R  and  Casavola C  and  Distaso E  and  Tamburrano P },
	title = {Towards the Development of the In-Cylinder Pressure
Measurement Based on the Strain Gauge Technique for
Internal Combustion Engines},
	year = {2015},
	booktitle = {Conference on Engines & Vehicles},
	url = {http://papers.sae.org/2015-24-2419},
	doi = {10.4271/2015-24-2419},	
}
@article{
	11589_634,
	author = { AMIRANTE R  and  CATALANO L A  and  POLONI C  and  TAMBURRANO P },
	title = {Fluid-dynamic design optimization of hydraulic proportional directional valves},
	year = {2014},
	journal = {ENGINEERING OPTIMIZATION},
	volume = {Vol. 46, No. 10},
	abstract = {This article proposes an effective methodology for the fluid-dynamic design optimization of the sliding spool of a hydraulic proportional directional valve: the goal is the minimization of the flow force at a prescribed flow rate, so as to reduce the required opening force while keeping the operation features unchanged. A full three-dimensional model of the flow field within the valve is employed to accurately predict the flow force acting on the spool. A theoretical analysis, based on both the axial momentum equation and flow simulations, is conducted to define the design parameters, which need to be properly selected in order to reduce the flow force without significantly affecting the flow rate. A genetic algorithm, coupled with a computational fluid dynamics flow solver, is employed to minimize the flow force acting on the valve spool at the maximum opening. A comparison with a typical single-objective optimization algorithm is performed to evaluate performance and effectiveness of the employed genetic algorithm. The optimized spool develops a maximum flow force which is smaller than that produced by the commercially available valve, mainly due to some major modifications occurring in the discharge section. Reducing the flow force and thus the electromagnetic force exerted by the solenoid actuators allows the operational range of direct (single-stage) driven valves to be enlarged.},
	keywords = {proportional directional control valve; fluid-dynamic design optimization; 3D CFD computational fluid dynamics,; flow forces},
	doi = {10.1080/0305215X.2013.836638},	
	pages = {1295--1314}
}
@article{
	11589_8118,
	author = { Amirante R  and  Distaso E  and  Tamburrano P },
	title = {Experimental and numerical analysis of cavitation in hydraulic proportional directional valves},
	year = {2014},
	journal = {ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT},
	volume = {Vol. 87},
	abstract = {This paper evaluates the effects of cavitation upon the performance of a hydraulic, proportional, directly-operated, directional valve by means of thorough experimental and numerical investigations. The experimental campaign is performed to estimate how cavitation changes the performance curves of the valve; in particular, the experimental equipment assembled to control the cavitation phenomenon inside the proportional valve is described, and the influence of cavitation on the flow rate and the flow coefficient as a function of the spool position is assessed. In addition, a full three-dimensional mixture model of the flow field within the valve is developed to accurately predict cavitation within the flow path for several spool positions. The accuracy of the numerical model is proven by previous experiences and by comparing the numerical results with the experimental data. After their validation, the numerical predictions are employed to analyse the characteristics of cavitation that cannot be experimentally evaluated, such as the volume of vapour, and to identify the zones where cavitation occurs. The numerical simulations are finally employed to predict how the variation in cavitation intensity influences the driving forces required to move the sliding spool and to calculate the minimum cavitation number for which the effects of cavitation are negligible.},
	keywords = {proportional valve; computational fluid dynamics; mixture model;  cavitation},
	doi = {10.1016/j.enconman.2014.07.031},	
	pages = {208--219}
}
@article{
	11589_8120,
	author = { Amirante R  and  Tamburrano P },
	title = {High Temperature Gas-to-Gas Heat Exchanger Based on a Solid Intermediate Medium},
	year = {2014},
	journal = {ADVANCES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING},
	volume = {(2014)},
	abstract = {This paper proposes the design of an innovative high temperature gas-to-gas heat exchanger based on solid particles as intermediate medium, with application inmediumand large scale externally fired combined power plants fed by alternative and dirty fuels, such as biomass and coal. An optimization procedure, performed by means of a genetic algorithm combined with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, is employed for the design of the heat exchanger: the goal is the minimization of its size for an assigned heat exchanger efficiency.Two cases, corresponding to efficiencies equal to 80% and 90%, are considered.Thescientific and technical difficulties for the realization of the heat exchanger are also faced up; in particular, this work focuses on the development both of a pressurization device, which is needed to move the solid particles within the heat exchanger, and of a pneumatic conveyor, which
is required to deliver back the particles from the bottom to the top of the plant in order to realize a continuous operation mode.
An analytical approach and a thorough experimental campaign are proposed to analyze the proposed systems and to evaluate the associated energy losses.},
	url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/353586},
	doi = {10.1155/2014/353586},	
}
@article{
	11589_3288,
	author = { Amirante R  and  Catalano L A  and  Tamburrano P },
	title = {The importance of a full 3D fluid dynamic analysis to evaluate the flow forces in a hydraulic directional proportional valve},
	year = {2014},
	journal = {ENGINEERING COMPUTATIONS},
	volume = {31},
	abstract = {Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a full 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
analysis of the flow field through hydraulic directional proportional valves, in order to accurately
predict the flow forces acting on the spool and to overcome the limitations of two-dimensional (2D) and
simplified three-dimensional (3D) models.
Design/methodology/approach – A full 3D CAD representation is proposed as a general approach
to reproduce the geometry of an existing valve in full detail; then, unstructured computational grids,
which identify peculiar positions of the spool travel, are generated by means of the mesh generation
tool Gambit. The computational grids are imported into the commercial CFD code Fluent, where
the flow equations are solved assuming that the flow is steady and incompressible. To validate the
proposed computational procedure, the predicted flow rates and flow forces are compared with
the corresponding experimental data.
Findings – The superposition between numerical and experimental curves demonstrates that the
proposed full 3D numerical analysis is more effective than the simplified 3D flow model that was
previously proposed by the same authors.
Practical implications – The presented full 3D fluid dynamic analysis can be employed
for the fluid-dynamic design optimization of the sliding spool and, more generally, of the internal
profiles of the valve, with the objective of reducing the flow forces and thus the required
control force.
Originality/value – The paper proposes a new computational strategy that is capable of recognizing
all 3D geometrical details of a hydraulic directional proportional valve and that provides a significant
improvement with respect to 2D and partially 3D approaches.},
	keywords = {CFD; Flow forces; Hydraulic proportional directional valve},
	doi = {10.1108/EC-09-2012-0221},	
	pages = {898--922}
}
@conference{
	11589_22279,
	author = { Amirante R  and  Coratella C  and  Distaso E  and  Tamburrano P },
	title = {A small size combined system for the production of energy from renewable sources and unconventional fuels},
	year = {2014},
	booktitle = {Energy Procidia - ATI 2014},
	abstract = {Nowadays, the development of new power plants capable of effectively using non-conventional energy sources is strongly desirable in order to obtain a significant reduction in costs of energy. In this regard, this paper proposes a new small scale (about 100 kW) combined cycle plant which can be fired externally by any kind of biomass. Particularly, the research activity presented here is concerned with the preliminary design of this innovative plant, which will be built, by means of a project funded by “Apulia Region”, at the LabZero Research Centre of Polytechnic University of Bari in the south of Italy. The goal of the paper is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the plant in terms of energy efficiency and availability and reliability of its components. The plant is mainly composed of a centrifugal compressor and a centripetal turbine of an automotive turbocharger, with the working fluid (clean air) being heated in a high temperature heat exchanger (HTHE) by using hot flue gases produced in an external combustion chamber burning biomass. The clean hot air expands in the turbine and then feeds the combustion chamber, where biomass is burned. In order to increase the efficiency, the flue gases exiting the HTHE are delivered into a heat recovery steam generator to generate water steam which can finally expand through a rotary actuator. Two configurations, employing an open Rankine cycle and a close one respectively, are analysed, and the use of biomass is compared with methane.},
	keywords = {Biomass; Externaly fired microturbine; Combined cycle plant}
}
@article{
	11589_52200,
	author = { AMIRANTE R  and  LIPPOLIS A  and  TAMBURRANO P },
	title = {Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of a Coupled System Proportional Control Valve and Hydraulic Cylinder},
	year = {2013},
	journal = {UNIVERSAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE}
}
@conference{
	11589_52583,
	author = { CATALANO LA  and  AMIRANTE R  and  COPERTINO S  and  TAMBURRANO P  and  DE BELLIS P },
	title = {Towards the development of an efficient immersed particle heat exchanger: Particles transfer from low to high pressure},
	year = {2012},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of ecos 2012 - the 25th international conference on efficiency, cost, optimization, simulation and environmental impact of energy systems june 26-29, 2012, Perugia, Italy},
	abstract = {"\"An innovative heat exchange device has been recently proposed, which employs an intermediate solid medium to transfer heat from a gas flow at low pressure and high temperature to another gas flow at higher pressure but lower temperature, with negligible pressure losses. In this paper, a key component of this innovative heat exchanger is analyzed in deep, namely the pressurization device responsible for the particles transit between the two separate environments. The operation of the proposed pressurization system is described in detail and then modeled as a zero-dimensional time-dependent system to analyze the influence of the related mass and energy losses onto the heat exchanger efficiency. An experimental test rig reproducing the pressurization tank has been also set up: the data collected at different operating conditions confirmed the reliability of the analytical model and the negligible energy losses occurring in the pressurization process.\""}
}
@conference{
	11589_52551,
	author = { AMIRANTE R  and  CATALANO LA  and  TAMBURRANO P  and  DE BELLIS F },
	title = {Flow force reduction in hydraulic proportional directional valves by means of the spool geometry optimization},
	year = {2012},
	booktitle = {Atti del 67° Convegno Nazionale ATI}
}
@conference{
	11589_52745,
	author = { CATALANO L A  and  AMIRANTE R  and  TAMBURRANO P  and  COPERTINO S },
	title = {Analysis of the complementary energy losses of a high temperature gas to gas heat exchanger based on a solid intermediate medium.},
	year = {2012},
	booktitle = {Advanced computational methods and experiments in heat transfer XII. Split (Croatia), June 27-29, 2012, p. 109-120, Ashurst Lodge, Ashurst, Southampton:WIT Press}
}
@article{
	11589_51932,
	author = { Amirante R  and  Catalano L A  and  Tamburrano P },
	title = {Thrust control of small turbojet engines using Fuzzy logic: Design and experimental validation},
	year = {2012},
	journal = {JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING FOR GAS TURBINES AND POWER},
	volume = {Volume 134, Issue 12, 2012, Article number 121601},
	abstract = {The aim of this paper is to propose an effective technique which employs a proportionalintegral Fuzzy logic controller for the thrust regulation of small scale turbojet engines, capable of ensuring high performance in terms of response speed, precision and stability. Fuzzy rules have been chosen by logical deduction and some specific parameters of the closed loop control have been optimized using a numerical simulator, so as to achieve rapidity and stability of response, as well as absence of overshoots. The proposed Fuzzy logic controller has been tested on the Pegasus MK3 microturbine: the high response speed and precision of the proposed thrust control, revealed by the simulations, have been confirmed by several experimental tests with step response. Its stability has been demonstrated by means of the frequency response analysis of the system. The proposed thrust control technique has general validity and can be applied to any small-scale turbojet engine, as well as to microturbines for electricity production, provided that thrust being substituted with the net mechanical power.},
	keywords = {Closed-loop control; Electricity production; Experimental test; Experimental validations; Frequency response analysis; Fuzzy logic controllers; High response speed; Mechanical power; Micro turbine; Numerical simulators; Pegasus; Proportional-integral; Response speed; Small scale; Small turbojet engine; Thrust control},
	doi = {10.1115/1.4007372},	
}
@conference{
	11589_14619,
	author = { AMIRANTE R  and  CATALANO LA  and  TAMBURRANO P },
	title = {EVALUATION OF THE FLOW FORCES ON A DIRECT  PROPORTIONAL VALVE BY MEANS OF A FULL 3D COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMIC ANALYSIS},
	year = {2010},
	volume = {1},
	booktitle = {65° Congresso Nazionale ATI}
}
@conference{
	11589_15503,
	author = { AMIRANTE R  and  CATALANO LA  and  TAMBURRANO P },
	title = {An adaptive fuzzy logic algorithm for the thrust control of a small turbojet engine},
	year = {2010},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of ASME Turbo Expo 2010: Power for Land, Sea and Air}
}