AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide an adequate and critical knowledge on environmental friendly propulsion systems for different applications, taking into account energy-related and economic issues. Different aspects will be analysed, referring to advanced systems and technologies for ultra-low emissions Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), the use of alternative fuels (NG, LPG, hydrogen and biofuels), the development of hybrid propulsion systems and the application of fuel cells to road vehicles propulsion.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures on the different items presented in the course programme and experimental activities on two different test rigs, focusing on specific arguments developed within the course. Moreover, seminars offered by academic and industrial experts and technical visits can be organised.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Lectures

• CO2 reduction in automotive ICE – General overview on problems, legislation and possible actions – CO2 emission reduction in thermal engines: downsizing concept and related technologies, mechanical losses reduction, cylinders de-activation, advanced cooling systems – Advanced fuel injection systems for Spark Ignition (SI) and Diesel engines – HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) combustion processes – Valve control systems in ICE: Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) systems, developed applications, control strategies, use in SI and diesel engines, effect on fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
• ICE pollutant emissions – Normalized test procedures for vehicle emissions determination, European emission limits. – Advanced devices and systems for exhaust emissions control: high and low pressure EGR systems, lean deNOX catalysts, NOX adsorbers, SCR systems, Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) and related regeneration systems, integrated DPF+deNOx aftertreatment systems.
• Advanced turbocharging concepts – Turbocharger control systems (waste-gate valve, variable geometry turbines), turbocharger performance under unsteady flow conditions, compressor surge control, Miller turbocharging, Comprex, advanced layout for single and two stage turbocharging systems. Efficiency, transient response and torque characteristics of supercharged and turbocharged engines – Turbocharger control systems (waste-gate valve, variable geometry turbines) – Design features of exhaust turbochargers.
• Advanced electronic engine control – ICE control unit calibration - Open ECU control systems – Components and operation of the main electronic control systems in automotive SI and Diesel engines – Engine control strategies for DPF.
• Alternative fuels – Conventional gaseous fuels (NG, LPG): problems, energy-related, operating and economic issues, effect on exhaust emissions – Hydrogen and hydrogen-methane mixtures for thermal engine powertrains – Biofuels: types, legislation, problems, production techniques, economic analysis, use in propulsion systems, effects on fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, CO2 emissions overall balance – Well-to-wheel analysis.
• Innovative propulsion systems – Electric and hybrid propulsion: advantages/disadvantages, performance, operating range, costs, energy storage devices characteristics, global energy and emissive balance, hybrid system configurations, hybrid categories (start-&-stop, micro, mild, full hybrid systems), characteristics and limits of operating configurations, applied examples, global energy and emissive balance, further developments.

Fuel cell application to propulsion systems: general overview on the electrochemical conversion process, fuel cell types and characteristics, fuel cell application to powertrain systems (types, operating problems, performance, hydrogen generation and storage systems), energy and emissive balance, applications, technical and economic issues, further developments.

1. Practice

• Experimental analysis of an automotive turbocharger performance under unsteady flow conditions.
• Dynamometer test bench measurements on a internal combustion engine.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• S. Marelli - “Sistemi Propulsivi a Ridotto Impatto Ambientale” – Notes to the course (in Italian).
• G. Ferrari -  "Motori a combustione interna" - Il Capitello, 2008.
• K. Zinner, Supercharging of Internal Combustion Engines, Springer Verlag.
• K. Owen, T. Coley, Automotive Fuels Reference Book, Society of Automotive Engineers.
• T. Denton, Automobile electrical and electronic systems, Edward Arnold, London.
• AA.VV., Bosch Automotive Handbook, 7th Edition, Robert Bosch/Society of Automotive Engineers.
• L.J.M.J. Blomen, M.N. Mugerwa, Fuel Cell Systems, Plenum Press, New York, 1993.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SILVIA MARELLI (President)

MASSIMO CAPOBIANCO

GIORGIO ZAMBONI

LESSONS

Class schedule

ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY PROPULSION SYSTEMS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Examination: oral test.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Pre-requisites :

Basic knowledge on reciprocating ICE and energy systems.