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

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

• Thermodynamique énergétique / Borel
• Internal combustion engines: Dr V. Ganesan
• Fuel Cell Handbook (Seventh Edition)