Domenico Ferrero

Assistant Professor with time contract
Department of Energy (DENERG)

Profile

Research interests

Alternative fuels
Electrolysis
Energy storage
Fuel cells
Hydrogen
Hydrogen economy
Li-ion batteries
Power to gas
Power to power
Power to x
Synthetic natural gas

Scientific branch

ING-IND/10 - THERMAL ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
(Area 0009 - Industrial and information engineering)

Research topics

  • Experimental analysis and modeling of thermochemical cycles aimed at the generation of hydrogen or syngas by splitting the water molecule and / or carbon dioxide (CO2). The cycles analyzed are based on materials (oxygen carriers - metal oxides or perovskites) which are able to be oxidized by the water molecule or by CO2 and can be thermally reduced. The reduction phase of the cycle requires thermal energy, and the cycles are designed to be powered by concentrated solar energy, thus creating a process capable of generating hydrogen or syngas using renewable thermal energy. The analysis is based on the experimental characterization of materials in microreactor or TGA (focus on non-critical materials) in order to measure the yield and stability of the process, and makes use of the international collaboration with universities and research centers specialized in the development and synthesis of materials. The experimental analysis is followed by the thermodynamic and kinetic modeling of the process and by the modeling of reactor solutions aimed at implementing the process on a prototype scale.
  • Research on energy storage solutions based on hydrogen and batteries. Modeling and experimental study of technologies for the conversion of electricity into hydrogen (high and low temperature electrolysers: SOEC, PEM, alkaline), hydrogen storage solutions (compressed, metal hydrides) and / or conversion of hydrogen into others energy carriers (electricity through fuel cells at low / high temperature, hydrocarbons through processes based on chemical reactions with the CO2 molecule, ammonia). Study of hybrid hydrogen-battery systems for the storage and reuse of renewable electricity, in particular for remote areas not connected to the grid, both at an experimental level on technologies, as a demonstration on systems and modeling for optimization. Study of the hydrogen injection option in the natural gas network.

Skills

ERC sectors

PE8_2 - Chemical engineering, technical chemistry
PE8_6 - Energy processes engineering
PE11_3 - Engineering of ceramics and glasses
PE11_7 - Engineering of metal oxides
PE8_11 - Environmental engineering, e.g. sustainable design, waste and water treatment, recycling, regeneration or recovery of compounds, carbon capture & storage

SDG

Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

Teaching

Courses of Study Boards

Teachings

Master of Science

MostraNascondi A.A. passati

Bachelor of Science

MostraNascondi A.A. passati

Research

Research groups

Research projects

Projects funded by competitive calls

Publications

Latest publications View all publications in Porto@Iris