Letizia Cretarola
PhD thesis title: CCS through Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells in the industrial context: possible strategies to achieve BECCS
Academic Tutor: Matteo Carmelo Romano
Academic Supervisor: Federico Viganò
PhD cycle: 38° (see all student profiles of the same cycle > LINK)
BSc: Energy Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
MSc: Energy Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
4 months at the Princeton University's Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment (August - November 2024) to study process modelling and analysis of molten carbonate fuel cell integration in the pulp and paper industry.
Thesis abstract
My PhD research activity is part of the PNRR EcosistER project, specifically within Spoke 2, which investigates the topic of “Clean energy production, storage, and conservation.” The research focuses on BECCS technologies, denoting “bioenergy with carbon capture and storage.” Among the options available for CCS, I study the integration of molten carbonate fuel cells in three industrial sectors, namely: ceramics, glass and pulp and paper. The aim is to outline optimal BECCS configurations, modelled with Aspen Plus software, in order to decarbonize these sectors and bring them to negative emissions. My PhD project has been founded by PNRR Project ECOSYSTEM FOR THE SUSTAINABLE TRANSITION IN THE EMILIA-ROMAGNA REGION
Personal interest in my research theme
I think that decarbonization is one of the most important challenges we face today. Among the various solutions available, I find carbon capture technologies particularly interesting, especially for their possible integration with industrial sectors. Given the limited number of studies in the field of the integration with Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells as means for BECCS, I see significant potential for innovation and contribution.
