Engines and fuel cells
Summary
The students describe and explain the thermodynamic and operating principles of internal combustion engines and all fuel cell types, identify the determining physical parameters for the operating regimes, the efficiencies and the polluting emissions, and compare the systems against each other.
Content
Operation principles of engines, mechanical (dynamics) and thermodynamic principles (ideal cycles), diesel and spark ignition engines (combustion process, load regulation, electronics regulation, supercharging), characterization of combustion gases, pollutant formation, means and methods of emissions reduction, New concepts: hybrids systems, downsizing, direct injection, discussion.
Construction and architecture of fuel cell families, for application at ambient and high temperature. Operating principles, thermodynamics and kinetics. Advantages and challenges, highlighting the efficiency (electrical, cogeneration, part-load). Fuel choice and fuel treatment (hydrogen, hydrocarbons). Aspects of modeling in fuel cells. Exercices with numerical exemples.
Keywords
Efficiency, cycles, emissions, modeling
Learning Prerequisites
Recommended courses
- Thermodynamique et énergétique I
- Heat and mass transfer
- Thermodynamique et énergétique II
Important concepts to start the course
- Master the concepts of mass, energy, and momentum balance.
- Compute the thermodynamic properties of a fluid.
- Master the concepts of heat and mass transfer.
- Understand the main thermodynamic cycles.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Compute the main thermodynamic transformations of compressible and incompressible fluids, E4
- Describe the involved thermodynamic cycles, E5
- Explain the concepts of thermodynamic efficiency, E6
- Design internal combustion engines, E15
- Compute fluid flows in energy conversion systems, compute pressure drops and heat losses and fluid-structure interactions, E10
- Design thermo-chemical and thermo-electric (fuel cells) conversion units, E18
- Explain and calculte the main emission sources of energy conversion processes, E23
Transversal skills
- Assess one's own level of skill acquisition, and plan their on-going learning goals.
- Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
- Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra with frequent questions. Resolved exercices.
Invited seminars by industry experts.
Expected student activities
Solve the exercises by yourself.
Rehearse the previous course module for the following week.
Visit of relevant sites, if logistics/timing allow.
Assessment methods
Written exam, general knowledge questions and numerical resolution of exercices, on both course subjects (50% engines - 50% fuel cells).
Resources
Bibliography
Thermodynamics and Energetics, Borel/Favrat (PPUR)
Fuel Cell Handbook (Seventh Edition): https://www.netl.doe.gov > netl file >FCHandbook7
Internal combustion engines: Dr V. Ganesan
Ressources en bibliothèque
Dans les plans d'études
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Engines and fuel cells
- Cours: 3 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Engines and fuel cells
- Cours: 3 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Engines and fuel cells
- Cours: 3 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Engines and fuel cells
- Cours: 3 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Engines and fuel cells
- Cours: 3 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Engines and fuel cells
- Cours: 3 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines