Showing papers by "Franco Grisafi published in 2017"
TL;DR: In this article, an innovative low-cost technology for microalgae production, currently under development at Palermo University, is described, the main ways through which the goal of costs containment is pursued are (i) the adoption of thin walled transparent tubing for the photo bioreactor, and (ii) an evacuated-head air-lift system.
Abstract: Microalgae production is receiving an increasing interest both by research institutions and commercial companies (Di Caprio et al., 2016). This is due to the growing consciousness of the need to move towards renewable, sustainable feedstoks for commodities production (Wang et al., 2012). However, process development at industrial scale, either based on open or closed photobioreactors, still is in a rather early stage and there is room for further development (Morweiser et al., 2010), especially aimed at reducing process costs. In this work an innovative low-cost technology for microalgae production, currently under development at Palermo University, is described. The main ways through which the goal of costs containment is pursued are (i) the adoption of thin walled transparent tubing for the photo bioreactor, and (ii) an evacuated-head air-lift system. To the aim of providing a proof-of-concept of these ideas, a 500-liter pilot plant was built. This is presently being operated in semi-continuous mode under solar irradiation and external climatic conditions.
3 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the supercritical water gasification of various organic species belonging to the groups of organic acids, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols and phenols, has been studied as a possible waste disposal method for polluted water stream produced in industries and laboratories.
Abstract: The supercritical water gasification of various organic species belonging to the groups of organic acids, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols and phenols, has been studied as a possible waste disposal method for polluted water stream produced in industries and laboratories. Gasification has been investigated using a 200 cm down flow reactor working continuously at 24 MPa and 660 °C. Supercritical water gasification (SCWG) is effective for the syngas production at very high conversion rate for all the species investigates, but phenol. Phenol, when mixed with other species, has an inhibitory effect of the radical chain gasification mechanism that dramatically reduced the gasification performance. Moreover, the effect of acetic acid concentration and the effect of molecular structure of three organic acids on the gasification performance were studied.
1 citations