Publications by Luigi Piero Di Bonito
Published:
2026
- DetailsConference Toward Privacy-Aware Environmental Monitoring of CO2 and Air Pollutants in Southern ItalyCampanile, L., Di Bonito, L. P., Marulli, F., Balzanella, A., & Verde, R. (2026). Toward Privacy-Aware Environmental Monitoring of CO2 and Air Pollutants in Southern Italy [Conference paper]. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 15893 LNCS, 317–333. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-97645-2_21
Abstract
The increasing levels of CO2 and air pollutants represent a major challenge to environmental sustainability and public health, particularly in regions characterized by complex geographic and socio-economic dynamics. This work proposes a study focused on the Southern Italy regions, where environmental vulnerabilities are displayed, along with a limited availability of high-granularity data. The main aim of this work is to build and provide a comprehensive and detailed dataset tailored to the region’s unique needs, by leveraging datasets from EDGAR for greenhouse gases and air pollutants, integrated with demographic and territorial morphology data from ISTAT. The creation of composite indicators to monitor trends in emissions and pollution on a fine spatial scale is supported by the data set. These indicators enable initial insight into spatial disparities in pollutant concentrations, offering valuable data to inform targeted policy interventions. The work provided a foundation for next analytical studies, integrating different datasets and highlighting the potential for complex spatiotemporal analysis. The study provides a robust dataset and preliminary insights, enhancing the understanding of environmental dynamics in Southern Italy. Subsequent efforts will focus on extending this methodology to more extensive geographic contexts and incorporating real-time data for adaptive monitoring. The proposed framework also lays the groundwork for privacy-aware environmental monitoring solutions, enabling future integration with edge and IoT-based architectures while addressing privacy and data protection concerns. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
2025
- DetailsDi Bonito, L. P., Campanile, L., Iacono, M., & Di Natale, F. (2025). An eXplainable Artificial Intelligence framework to predict marine scrubbers performances [Article]. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2025.111860
Abstract
This study presents an eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) framework to predict the performance of marine scrubbers used for sulfur dioxide (SO2) removal from marine diesel engine flue gases. Using an aggregated dataset from a roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo ship equipped with an open-loop scrubber, combined with satellite data, the study constructs and evaluates multiple artificial intelligence models, including ensemble models, which were benchmarked against each other using standard regression metrics such as the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean squared error (MSE). Results achieve high accuracy R2>0.92 and offer insights for optimizing scrubber operations. Nevertheless, artificial intelligence models lack transparency. To overcome this problem, this research integrates post-hoc explainability techniques to elucidate the contributions of various features to model predictions, thereby enhancing interpretability and reliability. The integration of SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Explain Like I’m 5 (ELI5) not only confirmed the consistency of feature importance rankings (e.g. seawater acidity level, SO2 inlet concentration, outlet temperature) but also aligned with the physical-chemical principles of SO2 absorption. Quantitative comparisons with theoretical expectations demonstrated the reliability of the XAI insights, enhancing both model transparency and interpretability. This can improve the current capability of designing scrubber units by defining more efficient and less expensive options for environmental regulation compliance. © 2025 The Authors
2024
- DetailsCampanile, L., Di Bonito, L. P., Natale, F. D., & Iacono, M. (2024). Ensemble Models for Predicting CO Concentrations: Application and Explainability in Environmental Monitoring in Campania, Italy [Conference paper]. Proceedings - European Council for Modelling and Simulation, ECMS, 38(1), 558–564. https://doi.org/10.7148/2024-0558
Abstract
Monitoring of non-linear phenomena, such as pollution dynamics, which is the result of several combined factors and the evolution of environmental conditions, greatly benefits by AI tools; a larger benefit derives by the application of explainable solutions, which are capable of providing elements to understand those dynamics for better informed decisions. In this paper we discuss a case with real data in which a posteriori explanations have been produced after the application of ensemble models. © ECMS Daniel Grzonka, Natalia Rylko, Grazyna Suchacka, Vladimir Mityushev (Editors) 2024. - DetailsOther eXplainable Artificial Intelligence in Process Engineering: Promises, Facts, and Current LimitationsDi Bonito, L. P., Campanile, L., Di Natale, F., Mastroianni, M., & Iacono, M. (2024). eXplainable Artificial Intelligence in Process Engineering: Promises, Facts, and Current Limitations [Review]. Applied System Innovation, 7(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/asi7060121
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been swiftly incorporated into the industry to become a part of both customer services and manufacturing operations. To effectively address the ethical issues now being examined by the government, AI models must be explainable in order to be used in both scientific and societal contexts. The current state of eXplainable artificial intelligence (XAI) in process engineering is examined in this study through a systematic literature review (SLR), with particular attention paid to the technology’s effect, degree of adoption, and potential to improve process and product quality. Due to restricted access to sizable, reliable datasets, XAI research in process engineering is still primarily exploratory or propositional, despite noteworthy applicability in well-known case studies. According to our research, XAI is becoming more and more positioned as a tool for decision support, with a focus on robustness and dependability in process optimization, maintenance, and quality assurance. This study, however, emphasizes that the use of XAI in process engineering is still in its early stages, and there is significant potential for methodological development and wider use across technical domains. © 2024 by the authors.
2023
- DetailsCampanile, L., Di Bonito, L. P., Gribaudo, M., & Iacono, M. (2023). A Domain Specific Language for the Design of Artificial Intelligence Applications for Process Engineering [Conference paper]. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, LNICST, 482 LNICST, 133–146. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31234-2_8
Abstract
Processes in chemical engineering are frequently enacted by one-of-a-kind devices that implement dynamic processes with feedback regulations designed according to experimental studies and empirical tuning of new devices after the experience obtained on similar setups. While application of artificial intelligence based solutions is largely advocated by researchers in several fields of chemical engineering to face the problems deriving from these practices, few actual cases exist in literature and in industrial plants that leverage currently available tools as much as other application fields suggest. One of the factors that is limiting the spread of AI-based solutions in the field is the lack of tools that support the evaluation of the needs of plants, be those existing or to-be settlements. In this paper we provide a Domain Specific Language based approach for the evaluation of the basic performance requirements for cloud-based setups capable of supporting chemical engineering plants, with a metaphor that attempts to bridge the two worlds. © 2023, ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering. - DetailsDi Bonito, L. P., Campanile, L., Napolitano, E., Iacono, M., Portolano, A., & Di Natale, F. (2023). Analysis of a marine scrubber operation with a combined analytical/AI-based method [Article]. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 195, 613–623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2023.06.006
Abstract
This paper describes the performances of a marine SO2 absorption scrubber installed onboard a large Ro-Ro cargo ship. The study is based on the reconstruction of an extensive dataset from one-year continuous monitoring of the scrubber’s performances and operating conditions. The dataset has been interpreted with a conventional analytical, physical-mathematical, model for absorbers’ rating and its combination with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) one. First, the analytical model has been used to provide a deterministic mathematical framework for the interpretation and the prediction of the scrubber’s performances in terms of absorbed SO2 molar flow and SO2 concentration at the scrubber exit. Then, data mining and AI techniques have been applied to develop an Artificial Neural Network able to predict the error between the actual SO2 concentration at the scrubber exit and the corresponding analytical model predictions. The final result is a combined model providing superior robustness and accuracy in the prediction of the scrubber performance while preserving a rationale for process design and operation. This interesting outcome suggests that the development of combined, or hybrid, Analytical/AI models can be a reliable and cost-effective way to improve chemical engineers’ ability to design and control marine scrubbers, as well as other chemical equipment. © 2023 Institution of Chemical Engineers - DetailsCampanile, L., Di Bonito, L. P., Iacono, M., & Di Natale, F. (2023). Prediction of chemical plants operating performances: a machine learning approach [Conference paper]. Proceedings - European Council for Modelling and Simulation, ECMS, 2023-June, 575–581. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85163436467&partnerID=40&md5=2e96d04affd9bb4a126b224d7cc8d75a
Abstract
Modern environmental regulations require rigorous optimization of operations in process engineering to reduce waste, pollution, and risks while maximizing efficiency. However, the nature of chemical plants, which include components with non-linear behavior, challenges the use of consolidated tuning and control techniques. Instead, ad-hoc, self-adapting, and time-variant controls, with a balanced tuning of parameters at both the subsystem and system level, may be necessary. Needed computing processes may require significant resources and high performance systems, if managed by means of traditional approaches and with exact solution methods. In this regard, domain experts suggest instead the use of integrated techniques based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), which include Explainable AI (XAI) and Trustworthy AI (TAI), which are unique in this industry and still in the early stages of development. To pave the way for a real-time, cost-effective solution for this problem, this paper proposes an AI-based approach to model the performance of a real chemical plant, i.e. a marine scrubber installed on a Ro-Ro ship. The study aims to investigate Machine Learning (ML) techniques which can be used to model such processes. Notably, this analysis is the first of its kind, at the best of the authors’ knowledge. Overall, the study highlights the potential of using ML-based techniques, to optimize environmental compliance in the shipping industry. © ECMS Enrico Vicario, Romeo Bandinelli, Virginia Fani, Michele Mastroianni (Editors) 2023.