Dr Roberto Volpe
Senior Lecturer
School of Engineering and Materials Science
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
Pyrolysis, Renewable carbons, X-ray imaging, Water remediation, Catalysis
Interests
I design pyrolysis and gasification experiments to study the fundamental aspects of biomass thermal decomposition. My expertise ranges from the investigation of the pathways to thermo-chemical breakdown of solid biofuels to the synthesis of gaseous/liquid energy vectors and renewable carbon materials for catalysis and environmental applications such as water remediation.Publications
Publications of specific relevance to the Centre for Sustainable Engineering2025
Impact of repeated heat pulses on the consolidation and grain growth of 3YSZ consolidated via ultrafast high-temperature sintering (UHS)Chen L, Liu J, Volpe R and Grasso S
Journal of The European Ceramic Society, Elsevier vol. 45 (12)
01-09-2025
Biochar filtration of drug-resistant bacteria and active pharmaceutical ingredients to combat antimicrobial resistanceFady P-E, Richardson AK, Barron LP, Mason AJ, Volpe R and Barr MR
Scientific Reports, Springer Nature vol. 15 (1)
08-01-2025
2024
Fe-N catalyst derived from and supported on Lycopodium clavatum sporopollenin exine capsules for the oxygen reduction reactionMalik W, Tafoya JPV, Doszczeczko S, Sobrido ABJ, Boa AN and Volpe R
Scientific Reports, Springer Nature vol. 14 (1)
30-10-2024
Tracked evolution of single biochar particle’s morphology during pyrolysis in operando x-ray micro-computed tomographySalinas-Farran L, Mosonik MC, Jervis R, Marathe S, Rau C and Volpe R
Biochar vol. 6 (1)
11-10-2024
Hierarchical and operando tomography with x-rays and beyondRau C, Batey D, Marathe S, Turpin L, Jakata K, Cipiccia S, Antony I, Volpe R, Richter C-P, Carriero A, Dumoux M, Schneider JE, Dall'Armellina E, Holderied MW and Van den Bulcke J
Developments in X-Ray Tomography XV. vol. 13152
04-10-2024
Role of reaction parameters in hydrothermal carbonization with process water recirculation: Hydrochar recovery enhancement and energy balancePicone A, Volpe M, Malik W, Volpe R and Messineo A
Biomass and Bioenergy, Elsevier vol. 181
01-02-2024
Co-hydrothermal carbonization with process water recirculation as a valuable strategy to enhance hydrochar recovery with high energy efficiencyPicone A, Volpe M, Codignole Lùz F, Malik W, Volpe R and Messineo A
Waste Management, Elsevier vol. 175, 101-109.
08-01-2024
2023
Synthesis of a Graphene-Encapsulated FeMalik W, Victoria Tafoya JP, Doszczeczko S, Jorge Sobrido AB, Skoulou VK, Boa AN, Zhang Q, Ramirez Reina T and Volpe R
Acs Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, American Chemical Society
21-10-2023
Highly ordered CaO from cuttlefish bone calcination for the efficient adsorption of methylene blue from waterTagar U, Volpe M, Messineo A and Volpe R
Frontiers in Chemistry, Frontiers Media vol. 11, 1132464-1132464.
16-02-2023
Recovery of metals and valuable chemicals from waste electric and electronic materials: a critical review of existing technologiesGulliani S, Volpe M, Messineo A and Volpe R
Rsc Sustainability, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 1 (5), 1085-1108.
01-01-2023
2022
Potential pitfalls on the scalability of laboratory-based research for hydrothermal carbonizationVolpe M, Picone A, Luz FC, Mosonik MCA, Volpe R and Messineo A
Fuel: The Science and Technology of Fuel and Energy, Elsevier vol. 315
13-01-2022
Alkaline pretreatment of walnut shells increases pore surface hydrophilicity of derived biocharsBarr MR, Forster L, D'Agostino C and Volpe R
Applied Surface Science, Elsevier vol. 571
01-01-2022
2021
Unlocking the potential of biofuels via reaction pathways in van Krevelen diagramsLozano DCP, Jones HE, Reina TR, Volpe R and Barrow MP
Green Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry
18-10-2021
A molecular investigation on lignin thermochemical conversion and carbonaceous organics deposition induced catalyst deactivationChen C, Volpe R and Jiang X
Applied Energy vol. 302
11-08-2021
Enhancement of energy and combustion properties of hydrochar via citric acid catalysed secondary char productionVolpe M, Luz FC, Saha N, Reza MT, Mosonik MC, Volpe R and Messineo A
Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, Springer (Part of Springer Nature)
23-07-2021
Identifying Synergistic Effects between Biomass Components during Pyrolysis and Pointers Concerning Experiment DesignBarr MR, Volpe R and Kandiyoti R
Acs Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
12-04-2021
Morphological and structural evolution of activated carbons from almond shellsManiscalco MP, Volpe R and Messineo A
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF COMPUTATIONAL METHODS IN SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING ICCMSE 2020. vol. 2343 (1)
30-03-2021
A reactive molecular dynamics simulation of catalyst deactivation during biomass thermochemical conversionChen C, Volpe R and Jiang X
02-03-2021
Liquid Biofuels from Food Crops in Transportation – A Balance Sheet of OutcomesBARR M, Volpe R and Kandiyoti R
Chemical Engineering Science, Elsevier
16-02-2021
Towards a mechanistic understanding of particle shrinkage during biomass pyrolysis via synchrotron X-ray microtomography and in-situ radiographyBarr MR, Jervis R, Zhang Y, Bodey AJ, Rau C, Shearing PR, Brett DJL, Titirici M and Volpe R
Scientific Reports, Nature Publishing Group vol. 11 (1)
29-01-2021
In situ observation of the evolution of polyaromatic tar precursors in packed-bed biomass pyrolysisChelang'at Mosonik M, Volpe R, Ezenwajiaku C, Talibi M and Balachandran R
Reaction Chemistry & Engineering, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 6 (9), 1538-1547.
01-01-2021
2020
Cationic Dye Adsorption on Hydrochars of Winery and Citrus Juice Industries Residues: Performance, Mechanism, and ThermodynamicsSaha N, Volpe M, Fiori L, Volpe R, Messineo A and Reza MT
Energies, Mdpi Ag vol. 13 (18), 4686-4686.
18-09-2020
On the suitability of thermogravimetric balances for the study of biomass pyrolysisBarr MR, Volpe M, Messineo A and Volpe R
Fuel, Elsevier Bv vol. 276, 118069-118069.
21-05-2020
Reactivity of cellulose during hydrothermal carbonization of lignocellulosic biomassVolpe M, Messineo A, Mäkelä M, Barr MR, Volpe R, Corrado C and Fiori L
Fuel Processing Technology, Elsevier vol. 206
28-04-2020
Evaluation of the optimal activation parameters for almond shell bio-char production for capacitive deionizationManiscalco MP, Corrado C, Volpe R and Messineo A
Bioresource Technology Reports vol. 11
22-04-2020
Augmented Leaching Pretreatments for Forest Wood Waste and Their Effect on Ash Composition and the Lignocellulosic NetworkTaylor MJ, Alabdrabalameer HA, Michopoulos AK, Volpe R and Skoulou V
Acs Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, American Chemical Society (Acs)
24-03-2020
Biomethane recovery from olive mill residues through anaerobic digestion: A review of the state of the art technologyMessineo A, Maniscalco MP and Volpe R
Science of The Total Environment, Elsevier vol. 703
10-02-2020
2019
Study of char morphology during biomass pyrolysis and gasification via micro-computed tomographyBarr M, Zhang Y, Jervis R and Volpe R
ACS Fall 2019 National Meeting & Expo.
25-08-2019
Free radicals formation on thermally decomposed biomassVolpe R, Bermudez Menendez JM, Ramirez Reina T, Volpe M, Messineo A, Millan M and Titirici MM
Fuel vol. 255
15-07-2019
Influence of reactor design on product distributions from biomass pyrolysisBarr M, Volpe R and Kandiyoti R
Acs Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, American Chemical Society (Acs)
03-07-2019
Assessing flow rate parameters on capacitive deionization of NaCl solution using biomass-derived activated carbon electrodesManiscalco M, Volpe R and Messineo A
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. vol. 258
01-01-2019
2018
Promoting energy recovery from recalcitrant agro-industrial wastes through anaerobic digestion: A review on olive mill residuesManiscalco MP, Volpe M, Volpe R and Messineo A
AIP Conference Proceedings. vol. 2040 (1)
30-11-2018
Catalytic effect of alkali metals in volatilisation of solid biofuels during gasificationVolpe R, Maniscalco MP, Ticali D, Volpe M and Messineo A
AIP Conference Proceedings. vol. 2040 (1)
30-11-2018
Assessment of bio-combustibles production via slow pyrolysis of wine industry residuesVolpe M, Fiori L, Panno D, Volpe R and Messineo A
AIP Conference Proceedings. vol. 2040 (1)
30-11-2018
Synergistic Effects between Lignin and Cellulose during Pyrolysis of Agricultural WasteVolpe R, Zabaniotou AA and Skoulou V
Energy & Fuels, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 32 (8), 8420-8430.
25-06-2018
Assessing Methane Emission and Economic Viability of Energy Exploitation in a Typical Sicilian Municipal Solid Waste LandfillDi Trapani D, Volpe M, Di Bella G, Messineo A, Volpe R and Viviani G
Waste and Biomass Valorization, 1-12.
12-05-2018
Spatially resolved spectral determination of polysaccharides in hydrothermally carbonized biomassVOLPE R, Mäkelä M, Volpe M, Fiori L and Dahl O
Green Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry
07-02-2018
Chemical pathways in thermal decomposition of citrus waste via slow pyrolysisVolpe R, Menendes JB, Reina TR, Titirici M, Messineo A and Millan M
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. vol. 256
01-01-2018
Detailed molecular compositions of citrus waste bio-oil: Application of ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometryPalacio D, Reina TR, Volpe R and Barrow M
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. vol. 256
01-01-2018
Thermal breakdown in coal and biomass: Relationship between reactor design and product distributionsVolpe R and Kandiyoti R
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. vol. 256
01-01-2018
2017
Catalytic Effect of Char for Tar Cracking in Pyrolysis of Citrus Wastes, Design of a Novel Experimental Set Up and First ResultsVOLPE R, Messineo S, Volpe M and Messineo A
Chemical Engineering Transactions, Italian Association of Chemical Engineering - Aidic vol. 50, 181-186.
12-12-2017
An Innovative Adaptive Control System to Regulate Microclimatic Conditions in a GreenhouseNicolosi G, Messineo A and VOLPE R
Energies vol. 10 (5), 722-722.
19-05-2017
Evolution of chars during slow pyrolysis of citrus wasteVolpe R, Menendez JMB, Reina TR, Messineo A and Millan M
Fuel Processing Technology vol. 158, 255-263.
19-01-2017
2016
Upgrading of Olive Tree Trimmings Residue as Biofuel by Hydrothermal Carbonization and Torrefaction: a Comparative StudyVOLPE R, Volpe M, Fiori L and Messineo A
Chemical Engineering Transactions, Italian Association of Chemical Engineering - Aidic vol. 50, 13-13.
12-12-2016
Energy Saving in Water Distribution Network through Pump as Turbine Generators: Economic and Environmental AnalysisDe Marchis M, Milici B, Volpe R and Messineo A
Energies vol. 9 (11), 877-877.
26-10-2016
Technical and Economical Assessment of Biomass Potential for Power Production: A Study in the South of ItalyMessineo A, Bonasera D, Volpe R, Messineo S and Marvuglia A
Journal of Environmental Accounting and Management vol. 4 (3), 287-299.
01-09-2016
Carbon reactivity in biomass thermal breakdownVolpe R, Messineo A and Millan M
Fuel vol. 183, 139-144.
21-06-2016
2015
Carbon Footprint of Tree Nuts Based Consumer ProductsVolpe R, Messineo S, Volpe M and Messineo A
Sustainability, Mdpi Ag vol. 7 (11), 14917-14934.
06-11-2015
Upgrade of citrus waste as a biofuel via slow pyrolysisVolpe M, Panno D, Volpe R and Messineo A
Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, Elsevier vol. 115, 66-76.
01-09-2015
Assessment of olive wastes as energy source: pyrolysis, torrefaction and the key role of H loss in thermal breakdownVolpe R, Messineo A, Millan M, Volpe M and Kandiyoti R
Energy, Elsevier vol. 82, 119-127.
01-03-2015
2014
Sustainable Production of Bio-Combustibles from Pyrolysis of Agro-Industrial WastesVolpe M, D’Anna C, Messineo S, Volpe R and Messineo A
Sustainability, Mdpi vol. 6 (11), 7866-7882.
06-11-2014
Evaluation of equilibrium moisture content in ligno-cellulosic residues of olive cultureMessineo A, Ciulla G, Messineo S, Volpe M and Volpe R
Arpn Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences vol. 9 (1), 5-11.
01-01-2014
2013
Numerical Solution of Foodstuff Freezing Problems Using Radial Basis FunctionsLa Rocca A, La Rocca V, Messineo A, Morale M, Panno D and Volpe R
Advanced Science Letters, American Scientific Publishers vol. 19 (3), 1044-1047.
01-03-2013
2012
Collection of Thermal Energy Available from a Biogas Plant for Leachate Treatment in an Urban Landfill: A Sicilian Case StudyMessineo A, Freni G and Volpe R
Energies, Mdpi vol. 5 (10), 3753-3767.
26-09-2012
Ligno-cellulosic biomass exploitation for power generation: A case study in sicilyMessineo A, Volpe R and Marvuglia A
Energy, Elsevier vol. 45 (1), 613-625.
01-09-2012
Evaluation of Net Energy Obtainable from Combustion of Stabilised Olive Mill By-ProductsMessineo A, Volpe R and Asdrubali F
Energies, Mdpi vol. 5 (5), 1384-1397.
11-05-2012
Technical and Economical Feasibility of Biomass Use for Power Generation in SicilyMessineo A, Panno D and Volpe R
International Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Information Systems, Igi Global vol. 3 (1), 40-50.
01-01-2012
Grants of specific relevance to the Centre for Sustainable Engineering
Grants of specific relevance to the Centre for Sustainable EngineeringPyrolysis, ignition and burning of multilayer photovoltaic modulesRoberto Volpe
£12,000 Royal Society
01-01-2025 - 31-12-2026
Resolving the biomass pyrolysis kinetics via combined synchrotron-based measurements and modelling analysisRoberto Volpe
£12,000 Royal Society
11-03-2022 - 10-03-2025
BIOmass ENergy for Rural Eastern sub-Saharan AfricaRoberto Volpe
£140,000 Jawabutech Ltd
01-09-2018 - 28-02-2022