OVERVIEW

The course deals with the most relevant topics relating to environmental friendly propulsion systems.

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

Lectures

• CO2 reduction in automotive ICE – General overview on problems, legislation and possible actions.
• 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: 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. 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.
• 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 engine control strategies to regenerate the DPF, integrated DPF+deNOx aftertreatment systems.
• Advanced turbocharging concepts – Turbocharger performance under unsteady flow conditions – Design of intake and exhaust automotive circuit for multi-cylinder turbocharged engine. Efficiency, transient response and torque characteristics of supercharged and turbocharged engines – Design features of exhaust turbochargers – Advanced layout for single and two stage turbocharging systems – Energy recovery.

Practice

• Test bench measurements on an engine or a turbocharging system for automotive application.

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.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Oral exam.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Pre-requisites :

Basic knowledge on reciprocating ICE and energy systems.