Thermo Group
Projects
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European Projects
THUNDER
The Research Group occupies a significant position in the partnership of the project THUNDER- THERMOCHEMICAL STORAGE UTILIZATION ENABLING DATA CENTERS SEASONAL ENERGY RECOVERY. This project emerged as one of the winners of the European Call Horizon-CL5-2023-D3-01 "Waste heat reutilization from data centres."
The project focuses on the use of innovative materials (thermochemical materials) for the realization of thermal storage systems capable of storing the residual heat generated by data centre cooling systems. Subsequently, this stored heat becomes available for reuse by residential or industrial users. Thermochemical materials accumulate and release heat by exploiting specific mechanisms of mass exchange (desorption/dehydration and adsorption/hydration). The management of waste heat recovery and its proper handling are becoming increasingly important and can represent a valuable strategy in the perspective of decarbonizing various sectors. Generally speaking, the proposal aims to develop more and more efficient thermochemical storage systems that can be integrated into smart thermal networks.
In this project, the group collaborates synergistically with the Molecular and Structural Properties Group of the Department of Industrial Engineering (DIEF). Both research groups will be involved in all phases of the technical-scientific development (modelling, experimentation, prototyping) of the project. Thermo Group will primarily focus on modelling heat and mass transfer phenomena occurring inside thermochemical storage systems. This will enable the development of appropriate design techniques for laboratory and prototype-scale storage systems. Additionally, it will be involved in modelling smart thermal networks that incorporate advanced thermal upgrade devices, such as high-temperature heat pumps. These smart thermal networks can serve as a reference for implementing the case study. In collaboration with the Molecular and Structural Properties Group, the Group will also conduct experimental tests at the laboratory scale.
The other partners of the project include RINA Consulting, IVL, Cartif, SteelTech, UniGE, Hiref, Veolia, Abilix, Ubitech, Setechco, 3SI, EHP, PCM.
GEOSYN
The GEOSYN project aims to validate an innovative geothermal steam heat pump combined with heat-powered refrigeration systems for industrial applications. This solution focuses on the cascading use of heat from both deep and shallow rock formations, emphasizing environmental sustainability by using water as the working fluid in all sub-systems. It is designed to improve cost-efficiency in geothermal application development, facilitating the use of geothermal energy sources in regions with or without significant hydrothermal reservoirs. The project will seamlessly integrate with industrial contexts and demonstrate versatility for widespread adoption.
The expected outcome is a significant increase in the deployment of geothermal resources for heat and cold generation, offering reduced environmental impact and enhanced economic attractiveness compared to fossil fuels or grid electricity. The envisioned design is a flexible solution capable of delivering stable and cost-efficient energy tailored to specific sites and applications. The solution is also planned to integrate with other renewable sources to enhance power supply reliability and grid stability.
GEOSYN will raise awareness among the general public about geothermal energy and engage with policymakers to promote its inclusion in local, regional, and national policies. Additionally, it will demonstrate the affordability of geothermal heating and cooling for productive processes through existing examples, increasing trust in the benefits of GEOSYN technology in the industry.
The GEOSYN consortium consists of 10 organizations from five European countries (Italy, Denmark, France, Norway, and Ukraine), representing various levels of geothermal maturity and extensive experience in both technological and social sciences.
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National projects
ATENA
The Research Group actively collaborates on the project ATENA-Accumuli Termici Innovativi tramite materiali adsorbenti (Innovative Thermal Storage through the utilisation of adsorbent materials). The project aims at developing thermal storage devices based on the use of adsorbent materials in dedicated mass and energy exchangers, whose performance is enhanced by the use of supports made with 3D printing technology.
In this project, the group collaborates with the Molecular and Structural Properties Group and Materials Engineering Group of the Department of Industrial Engineering (DIEF).
Thermo Group activity will be dedicated to the modelling of heat and mass transfer phenomena occurring inside thermochemical storage systems, with a focus on the study of mass and heat transfer capacity of the adsorbent materialis depositated on the 3d printed supports. The Group will also conduct experimental tests at the laboratory scale.
CO2 mix
The project's objective is to develop energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and economically feasible CO2-based mixture inverse cycles for residential heating and cooling, leveraging the Lorenz cycle concept. These cycles could potentially integrate with various systems, including 5th generation district heating and cooling, and renewable source inverse cycles. The investigation will target distributed inverse cycle utilization, working between fluids with finite heat capacity (i.e. low-temperature domestic hot water and space heating water) trying to minimize the irreversibilities of the system, through the proper matching of the heat capacities, providing a reduced work consumption and consequently higher sustainability.
The primary aim is to identify and analyze environmentally sustainable refrigerant mixtures suitable for advanced heat pumps and chillers. To accomplish this objective, the project adopts a dual-pronged strategy: one at the system level, concentrating on the heat pump/chiller system (thermo-economic and environmental performance optimization), and another at the component level, with a specific emphasis on examining heat transfer mechanisms within the two-phase flow in the heat exchangers.