Material and energy recovery from waste, residues and biomass

This field of research focuses on the production of energy from biomasses, waste and byproducThis field of research focuses on the production of energy from biomasses, waste and byproducts, with the aim of evaluating technological, energy, environmental and financial implications for both conventional technology (such as fixed- or moving-bed combustion) and technologies still being developed (such as staged combustion, gasification or pyrolysis). Combustion of waste and byproducts, with and without the production of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), is simulated and evaluated in an integrated context where materials recovery and energy recovery both have a determining role. From an analysis of the whole treatment process and evaluation of the overall mass and energy balances, a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) provides the indices of energy and environmental merit for comparison of the technological and managerial alternatives. As regards experimentation, the laboratory possesses avant-garde instruments for measuring fine and ultrafine dust, as well as for measuring the principle regulated pollutants. These instruments, which permit evaluation of the effects of events occurring after release into the atmosphere, can also be used for all fixed combustion plant fueled by natural gas and liquid and solid fuel.