Advanced energetics

Summary

Methods for the rational use and conversion of energy in industrial processes : how to analyse the energy usage, calculate the heat recovery by pinch analysis, define heat exchanger network, integrate heat pumps and cogeneration units and realise exergy analysis of energy conversion systems.

Content

Keywords

Energy efficiency, heat recovery, Energy conversion, Exergy analysis, Pinch analysis, Industrial processes

Learning Prerequisites

Recommended courses

• Master the concepts of mass, energy, and momentum balance, (Thermodynamique et énergétique I)
• Compute the thermodynamic properties of a fluid, (Thermodynamique et énergétique I)
• Master the concepts of heat and mass transfer, (Heat and mass transfer)
• Understand the main thermodynamic cycles, (Thermodynamique et énergétique II)
• Calculate and design heat exchangers, (Heat and mass transfer)

Important concepts to start the course

Basics of thermodynamics : heat and mass conservation principles, basic thermodynamic cycles, basics of heat transfer

System thinking

Motivation : the course is organised as a team project and needs to be realised over the full semester.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Establish the flow diagram of an industrial process and calculate the corresponding energy and mass balance, E22
• Analyse the energy and exergy efficiency of industrial energy systems, E23
• Understand the challenges related to energy: resources, energy services, economic and environmental impacts, E9
• Explain and apply the concepts of thermodynamic efficiency, E6
• Establish the flow diagram of an industrial process and calculate the corresponding energy and mass balance, E20
• Analyze the energy and exergy efficiency of industrial energy systems, E21
• Explain the principles and limitations of the main energy conversion technologies, E7

Transversal skills

• Assess progress against the plan, and adapt the plan as appropriate.
• Write a scientific or technical report.
• Set objectives and design an action plan to reach those objectives.
• Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
• Communicate effectively, being understood, including across different languages and cultures.
• Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
• Make an oral presentation.
• Design and present a poster.

Teaching methods

The course is given as a group project realisation together with the ME-454 course.

Theory is given as a set of video, Q&A sessions concerning the theory will be organised during the semester.

Project description: Considering the sustainable development goals, the goal of the project is to study the decarbonisation strategy of an industrial production process to be integrated with a new data center in a urban district. The decarbonisation strategy includes the definition of the system configurations, i.e. the investment to be made and the associated material and energy flows generated and the calculation of the asssociated key sustainability performance metrics.

It will be realised by a group of 3 students with the following milestones:

1. Analyse : problem statement, data collection and generation of possible options
2. Generate: use of computer aided models to generate system configurations
3. Interpret: compare the generated system configurations and study the integration of a specific technology in the system
4. Report: report the decarbonisation strategy for the system

The work will be supported by open source computer tools for modeling. optimisation and reporting.

Expected student activities

Motivated students will realise a project as a team work. Each student will have to report the integration of a specific technology and compare it to the alternatives.

They will have to organise their work in the 4 steps:

1. Data collection, brainstorming,  bibliography search and model development for options identified
2. Distribute and coordinate the tasks,
3. Realise calculations : understanding of the theory to apply and application with practical tools
4. Calculate the sustainability performance indicators
5. Present the milestones
6. Write the final report and the specific technology integration assessment chapter

Each student will review the report of another project.

Assessment methods

• 40%: Project Report & supporting information: Team report
• 40%: Technology integration assessment chapter: individual contribution
• 20%: Review a technology integration assessment report of another student

Supervision

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

Yes

Bibliography

All the material can be downloaded from the moodle website (http://moodle.epfl.ch/course/view.php?id=141). Printed version of the lecture notes can be ordered.

Notes/Handbook

The notebooks and the videos are available via moodle.

Examples of codes is also given.

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/ME-451

Videos

• http://yes see moodle
• http://LLM bot also proposed

Prerequisite for

Being ready to realise system integration analysis for the energy transition

• Semester projects and Master thesis in collaboration with industry and utilities for the energy transition