Carlo Roselli

Applied Thermodynamics

Second Law, Exergetic and Thermoeconomics analysis of energy conversion plants and components.

Microcogeneration (MCHP)

Since 1995 a university research group is involved in projects on Micro Cogeneration, MCHP (Micro Combined Heat and Power) for residential and light commercial applications in cooperation with gas suppliers and manufacturers. Activities have been developed in the framework of national (Progettazione, realizzazione e prova di prototipi di microcogeneratori per utenze domestiche e/o commerciali, supported by Regione Campania; Governance ed efficienza energetica, Sviluppo di linee guide e indici di riferimento per il legislatore, Ricerca del Sistema Elettrico, supported by Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico) and international (IEA-Annex 42 FC+COGEN-SIM The simulation of Building-Integrated Fuel Cell and Other Cogeneration Systems) research projects.

Laboratories were developed and built to test the real operating conditions and performances of MCHPs. One of the laboratories contains some energy residential appliances such as a dishwasher, a washing machine and a water heater, both in their traditional configuration (electrically driven) and in alternative more efficient configurations (thermally and electrically driven). Two prototypes (1.7 and 3.0 kW_el) and a commercial Japanese cogenerator (6 kW_el and 13.5 kW_th), based on an internal combustion engine,  have been tested.

A database containing different types of microcogenerators, based on internal combustion engines, fuel cells, Stirling engines, gas micro-turbines, etc., has been realized. It provides the main technical and energy information for more than 70 models of MCHPs.

Microtrigeneration (MCCHP)

Activities have been developed in the framework of national (Studio teorico e sperimentale della poligenerazione di piccola taglia con ruote essiccanti, PRIN07 financed by MIUR; Strumenti e tecnologie per l'efficienza energetica nel settore dei servizi -  Creazione di una Virtual Power Plant per l’analisi sperimentale di sistemi di  poligenerazione di piccola taglia, Ricerca del Sistema Elettrico supported by Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico) and international (IEA-Annex 54) research projects.

At Sannio University, an advanced desiccant-based Air Handling Unit (AHU) coupled to a reciprocating internal combustion cogenerator fuelled by natural is in testing phase since 2008. The MCHP supplies thermal power (12 kW), for the regeneration of a silica-gel-based Desiccant Wheel and electrical power (6 kW) for AHU self-consumption (fans, pumps, etc.), to drive an air-cooled chiller (cooling power 8 kW) and for external appliances (computers, lights, etc.).

A model of each component has been experimentally calibrated, validated and implemented in TRNSYS simulation software.

Finally, a software for the remote central control and thermo-economic optimization of a virtual laboratory, called PoliLab, consisting of two polygeneration systems placed in Regione Campania (Università del Sannio and Università della Campania) has been developed, in a “Virtual Power Plant” approach.

UNISANNIO research group has been involved in a project supported by IEA (International Energy Agency), Annex 54, Integration of Micro-generation and Related Energy Technologies in Buildings (Subtask B leader Prof. Maurizio Sasso). International Universities, Research institutes and manufacturers are involved in this project. Annex 54 was an international joint effort of 19 organizations in 10 countries.

Solar Energy

As regards solar concentration systems the research activity which is developed regards the numerical modeling of the solar Scheffler collector (SC). A SC is a concentrating solar system that has the main characteristic of concentrating solar radiation onto a fixed point. The reflector has a structure and a tracking system that deforms according to time of day and day of the year, reflecting the sun's rays at the same point. This feature allows to avoid the use and the pumping of a high temperature heat transfer fluids, and enable to place the receiver directly at the point where the high temperature heat source is used.

This device seems suitable for many applications among these it was considered in the Megaris project, where a bubbling fluidized bed prototype (FBC) acts as the solar receiver and a biomass burner. A Stirling engine, integrated into the FBC, converts part of thermal energy into electricity whereas the remaining part is used for heating purposes.

The performance of a desiccant-based hybrid HVAC system equipped with a silica-gel desiccant wheel has been performed. Experimental tests and dynamic simulations (TRNSYS 17) considering different solar collectors (air, flat plate, evacuated tube and CPVT collectors) were carried out.

Geothermal Energy

Energy, environmental and economic analysis of geothermal heating and cooling systems, of Ground Source Heat Pumps, Performance of Borehole Heat Exchangers with nanofluids as heat carrier.