Francesco Volpe
Palermo
Profilo professionale
Chemical Engineer with a PhD in ion-exchange membrane processes for advanced separations and electrochemical applications. Experienced in both experimental laboratory research and computational modeling, including CFD simulations and machine learning techniques for process optimization. Seeking industrial R&D opportunities in membrane technology, sustainable chemical processes, and energy transition.
Panoramica
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Esperienza lavorativa
Post-Doctoral Fellowship
University of Palermo, UNIPA
Palermo
01.2026 - 01.2026
- Fellowship in "Seawater Desalination for Green Hydrogen Production"
- Coordinator: Prof. Rosalinda Inguanta
- Tutor: Prof. Alessandro Tamburini
Freelance Consultant in "Seawater Brine Management
University of Palermo, UNIPA
Palermo
11.2025 - 02.2026
- CFD Numerical Simulation of Submerged Dense Jets
- Supervisor: Prof. Giorgio Micale, Prof. Andrea Cipollina
Doctoral Researcher in Electro-Membrane Technology
University of Palermo, UNIPA
Palermo
11.2022 - 10.2025
- Experimental characterization of ion-exchange membrane technologies (electrodialysis and reverse electrodialysis) at laboratory and pilot scale.
- CFD- and advanced machine learning-based predictive modeling of membrane fouling phenomena
- Active participation in the EU Horizon 2020 project Searcularmine, including coordination with project partners, attendance at consortium meetings, and contribution to scheduled milestones and deliverables.
- Supervisors: Prof. Giorgio Micale, Prof. Andrea Cipollina, Prof. Alessandro Tamburini
Visiting PHD Student
Ghent University, UGent
Ghent
05.2024 - 11.2024
- Lab-scale experimental investigations of fouling phenomena in electrodialysis (ED) systems.
- AI/deep learning-based predictive models to forecast fouling behavior and performance decline in ED processes.
- Supervisor: Prof. Marjolein Vanoppen
- Department CAPTURE building | Website www.capture-resources.be
Post-Lauream Fellowship
University of Palermo, UNIPA
Palermo
05.2022 - 10.2022
- Lab-scale experimental studies on reactive crystallization for Mg(OH)₂ production.
- CFD simulations supporting pilot-scale design of magnesium hydroxide precipitation processes.
- Research activities carried out within the EU Horizon 2020 project Searcularmine, including collaboration with project partners and contribution to scheduled deliverables.
- Supervisor: Prof. Andrea Cipollina
Istruzione
Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering -
UNIPA
Palermo03.2022
Erasmus+ - Chemical Engineering
Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
Barcellona01-2021
Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering -
UNIPA
Palermo10.2019
Competenze
- TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Planning and execution of experimental activities
- Machine Learning and Deep Learning
- Process optimization
- Data Analysis and Statistical Inference
- Hands-on experience with analytical techniques
- Ability to efficiently adapt to new experimental and computational techniques
- Advanced Python Programming
- Matlab/Simulink
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (OpenFOAM, Ansys CFX and Fluent)
- Microsoft Office package: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
- Linux and Windows
- Aspen PLUS
- SOFT SKILLS
- Mentoring and Leadership Skills
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Interpersonal communication with diverse stakeholders
- Research and scientific writing
- Ability to speak in public
- Scientific presentation
- Problem-solving in experimental and computational mental and computational projects
Certificazioni
- Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca, 09/2022
- Qualification to Practice as a Professional Industrial Engineer – Section A
- State Examination for the qualification to practice as a Professional Industrial Engineer, Section A.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
MOTHER TONGUE(S): Italian
Esperto
English
Avanzato
Listening C1
Principiante
Spoken production B2
Principiante
Reading B2
Principiante
Spoken interaction B2
Principiante
Writing B2
Principiante
Spanish
Intermedio
Listening B1
Principiante
Spoken production B1
Principiante
Reading B1
Principiante
Spoken interaction B1
Principiante
Writing A2
Principiante
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
07/2024 – CURRENT UNIPA PhD Students’ Representative Represented doctoral candidates in academic committees and discussions
PUBLICATIONS
- 2024
- Mixing phenomena in circular and rectangular cross-sectional T-mixers: Experimental and numerical assessment
- Battaglia G., Romano S., Raponi A., Volpe, F., 2024. Mixing phenomena in circular and rectangular cross-sectional T-mixers: Experimental and numerical assessment. Chem. Eng. Res. Des. 201, 228–241.
- Authors Battaglia G.; Romano S.; Raponi A.; Volpe F.; Bellanca L.; Ciofalo M.; Marchisio D.; Cipollina A.; Micale G.; Tamburini A.
- Journal Name Chem. Eng. Res. Des. | Volume, Issue and Pages 201, 228–241
- 2025
- Characterization of mixing phenomena in T-mixers using smartphone devices
- Volpe F., Battaglia G., Romano S., Bellanca L., Ciofalo M., Cipollina A., Micale G., Tamburini A., Characterization of mixing phenomena in T-mixers using smartphone devices, Chem. Eng. Res. Des., Volume 222, 2025, Pages 362-376
- Authors Volpe F.; Battaglia G.; Romano S.; Bellanca L.; Cipollina A.; Micale G.; Tamburini A.
- Journal Name Chem. Eng. Res. Des. | Volume, Issue and Pages Volume 222, Pages 362-376
- A Hybrid CFD Platform for Colloidal Fouling Prediction in Electrodialysis
- Volpe F.; Battaglia G.; Cipollina A.; Micale G.; Tamburini A., A Hybrid CFD Platform for Colloidal Fouling Prediction in Electrodialysis. Membranes 2025, 15, 375. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15120375
- Authors Volpe F.; Battaglia G.; Cipollina A.; Micale G.; Tamburini A.
- Journal Name Membranes
- 2026
- Experimental analysis of an upscaled reverse electrodialysis unit featuring electrode segmentation
- Volpe F., Mangiaracina E., Battaglia G., Cipollina A., Micale G., Tamburini A., Experimental analysis of an upscaled reverse electrodialysis unit featuring electrode segmentation, Seppur, Volume 382, Part 2, 2026
- Authors Volpe F.; Mangiaracina E.; Battaglia G.; Cipollina A.; Micale G.; Tamburini A.
- Journal Name Separation and Purification Technology
- The CARMEn project: A sustainable and circular brine treatment chain
- Scelfo G., Battaglia G., Cardella M., Filingeri A., Culcasi A., Volpe F., Craveri L., Bertozzi E., Tirafferri A., Micale G., The CARMEn project: A sustainable and circular brine treatment chain, Desalination, 2025
- Authors Scelfo G.; Battaglia G.; Cardella M.; Filingeri A.; Culcasi A.; Volpe F.; Craveri L.; Bertozzi E.; Tirafferri A.; Micale G.
- Journal Name Desalination
CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS
- 27/04/2025 – 30/04/2025 Porto, Portugal
- Desalination for the Environment - Clean Water and Energy
- International EDS conference on desalination
- 08/09/2024 – 12/09/2024 Prague, Czech Republic
- EUROMEMBRANE 2024
- International conference on membrane based processes
- 07/07/2024 – 10/07/2024 Antwerp, Belgium
- IWA BENELUX Young water professionals 8th regional conference
- 14/01/2024 – 19/01/2024 Torino, Italy
- GRICU National Doctoral School
- 14/05/2023 – 19/05/2023 Rome, Italy
- EMS Summerschool 2023
- International PhD school from European Membrane Society
DRIVING LICENCE
Driving Licence: B
Cronologia
Post-Doctoral Fellowship
University of Palermo, UNIPA
01.2026 - 01.2026
Freelance Consultant in "Seawater Brine Management
University of Palermo, UNIPA
11.2025 - 02.2026
Visiting PHD Student
Ghent University, UGent
05.2024 - 11.2024
Doctoral Researcher in Electro-Membrane Technology
University of Palermo, UNIPA
11.2022 - 10.2025
Post-Lauream Fellowship
University of Palermo, UNIPA
05.2022 - 10.2022
Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering -
UNIPA
Erasmus+ - Chemical Engineering
Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering -
UNIPA