Enrico Sciubba

Bio: Enrico Sciubba is an academic researcher from Sapienza University of Rome. The author has contributed to research in topics: Exergy & Gas compressor. The author has an hindex of 35, co-authored 213 publications receiving 4909 citations. Previous affiliations of Enrico Sciubba include Università degli Studi Niccolò Cusano & Ohio State University.

A brief Commented History of Exergy From the Beginnings to 2004

Abstract: This paper presents a brief critical and analytical account of the development of the concept of exergy and of its applications. It is based on a careful and extended (in time) consultation of a very large body of published references taken from archival journals, textbooks and other monographic works, conference proceedings, technical reports and lecture series. We have tried to identify the common thread that runs through all of the references, to put different issues into perspective, to clarify dubious points, to suggest logical and scientific connections and priorities. It was impossible to eliminate our respective biases that still affect the “style” of the present paper: luckily, some of our individual biases “cancelled out” at the time of writing, and some were corrected by our Reviewers (to whom we owe sincere thanks for the numerous and very relevant corrections and suggestions). The article is organized chronologically and epistemologically: it turns out that the two criteria allow for a quite clear systematization of the subject matter, because the development of the exergy concept was rather “linear”. This work is addressed to our Colleagues who are involved in theoretical research, industrial development, and societal applications of exergy concepts: if they extract from this article the idea of an extraordinary epistemological uniformity in the development of the concept of exergy, our goal will be achieved. The other addressees of this paper are Graduate Students taking their first steps in this field: in their case, we hope that consultation of our paper will prompt them to adopt and maintain throughout their career a scholarly valid method of research, which implies studying and respecting our scientific roots (the sources) but venturing freely and creatively into unknown territory. In the Conclusions we try to forecast future developments: this is the only part of the paper that is an intentional expression of our own views: the previous historical-scientific exposition is instead based on verifiable facts and accepted opinions.

Exergy: Its Potential and Limitations in Environmental Science and Technology

Abstract: New technologies, either renewables-based or not, are confronted with both economic and technical constraints. Their development takes advantage of considering the basic laws of economics and thermodynamics. With respect to the latter, the exergy concept pops up. Although its fundamentals, that is, the Second Law of Thermodynamics, were already established in the 1800s, it is only in the last years that the exergy concept has gained a more widespread interest in process analysis, typically employed to identify inefficiencies. However, exergy analysis today is implemented far beyond technical analysis; it is also employed in environmental, (thermo)economic, and even sustainability analysis of industrial systems. Because natural ecosystems are also subjected to the basic laws of thermodynamics, it is another subject of exergy analysis. After an introduction on the concept itself, this review focuses on the potential and limitations of the exergy concept in (1) ecosystem analysis, utilized to describe maximu...

Exergy Analysis: Principles and Practice

Abstract: The importance of the goal of developing systems that effectively use nonrenewable energy resources such as oil, natural gas, and coal is apparent. The method of exergy analysis is well suited for furthering this goal, for it enables the location, type and true magnitude of waste and loss to be determined. Such information can be used to design new systems and to reduce the inefficiency of existing systems. This paper provides a brief survey of both exergy principles and the current literature of exergy analysis with emphasis on areas of application.

Entropy generation minimization: The new thermodynamics of finite-size devices and finite-time processes

Abstract: Entropy generation minimization (finite time thermodynamics, or thermodynamic optimization) is the method that combines into simple models the most basic concepts of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics. These simple models are used in the optimization of real (irreversible) devices and processes, subject to finite‐size and finite‐time constraints. The review traces the development and adoption of the method in several sectors of mainstream thermal engineering and science: cryogenics, heat transfer, education, storage systems, solar power plants, nuclear and fossil power plants, and refrigerators. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental and technological importance of the optimization method and its results, the pedagogical merits of the method, and the chronological development of the field.

Towards Energy and Resource Efficient Manufacturing: A Processes and Systems Approach

Abstract: A B S T R A C T This paper aims to provide a systematic overview of the state of the art in energy and resource efficiency increasing methods and techniques in the domain of discrete part manufacturing, with attention for the effectiveness of the available options. For this purpose a structured approach, distinguishing different system scale levels, is applied: starting from a unit process focus, respectively the multi-machine, factory, multi-facility and supply chain levels are covered. Determined by the research contributions reported in literature, the de facto focus of the paper is mainly on energy related aspects of manufacturing. Significant opportunities for systematic efficiency improving measures are identified and summarized in this area. 2012 CIRP.