https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/23284 2026-04-15T12:20:12Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/23327 Title: Innovation in ventilated tiled roofs : the HEROTILE European project Authors: Bottarelli, Michele; Bortoloni, Marco; Dino, Giuseppe; Zannoni, Giovanni Abstract: In ventilated roofs, the so-called Above Sheathing Ventilation (ASV) helps dissipating the excess heat in summer, thus reducing the cooling energy requirement. The ASV can be enhanced by increasing the air permeability of the tiled covering through the development of new tile shapes. This is the purpose of the Life HEROTILE European project, of which this work presents the preliminary analysis. The air permeability of a novel Marsigliese tile is analysed in comparison with the standard tile. The new design is improved with a higher sidelock and a new headlock pattern. A CFD model is then used to simulate the airflow through the tiles, solving the steady-state, incompressible fluid flow, in a 3D domain by means of the RANS-based standard k-ε model. A parametric study is conducted to analyse the variation in the air flow passing through the tile for different speeds and directions of the incident wind. The reference and new tile designs are compared in terms of air pressure drop and volumetric flow rate trough tiles. The novel shape increases the air permeability up to 100%; contrary to the standard shape, the new design allows also an increase of the air flow rate as the wind blows sideways. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/23303 Title: Sustainable Energy 2016 : the ISE Annual Conference programme Abstract: Programme for Sustainable Energy 2016: The ISE Annual Conference held on the 4th of October 2016 at The Auditorium, Old University Building, Valletta, Malta 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/23302 Title: The use of dry coolers for sustainable mould cooling in Malta Authors: Tanti, Keith; Refalo, Paul Abstract: Water and energy resources are facing significant pressures and the need for sustainable manufacturing is indispensable. This work looks into process cooling and explores the integration of sustainable cooling technologies. Playmobil Malta Ltd’s mould cooling system was used as a case study and by means of a sustainability analysis, the current cooling tower/chiller system and a proposed dry cooler system were compared. Two configurations of the latter system, which differed in the order of how the cooling equipment was connected to the load, were analysed with the aim of finding the most cost effective and environmentally friendly option. The proposed dry cooler system proved to be technically and sustainably viable with one configuration achieving better results than the other. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/23301 Title: Analysis of a novel offshore platform with integrated energy storage operating in Central Mediterranean waters Authors: Buhagiar, Daniel; Sant, Tonio; Farrugia, Robert N. Abstract: A thermodynamic model of a novel energy storage device is described and simulated in the context of a central Mediterranean climate. The device uses a hydro-pneumatic concept to store energy as compressed air. It is designed to be integrated into an offshore floating platform. The thermodynamic model illustrates the behaviour of the compression process and the heat exchange with the surrounding environment. Different rates of compression are simulated, and it can be observed that faster compression rates lead to higher gas temperatures and pressures. The sensitivity to climatic conditions is also investigated, however this effect was seen to be minimal. A simplified Black-Box Model is also developed, with its parameters obtained through a curve-fitting process. Finally, a stochastic input is fed to both models and a comparison is made. The simplified model results in a minor over-prediction of the efficiency. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z