OVERVIEW

The course presents a deep overview on the alternative fuels showing the potential to replace fossil fuels, especially for the applications in internal combustion engines. Legislation, technical, energy, environmental, and economic aspects are considered, taking into account the main issues related to fuels production and end-use. Experimental and numerical criteria and indicators are also defined, discussed, and applied for the overall assessment and comparison of the considered fuels.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main objectives of the course are: to provide basic information on the current legislation on green-house gases and pollutant emissions and its influence on the development of propulsion systems and alternative fuels. To supply a critical knowledge on alternative fuels and their applications, considering energy-related, technical, environmental, and economic issues. To develop skills for the analysis and comparison of alternative fuels applied in internal combustion engines. To provide criteria for the selection of different alternative fuels/energy vectors in terms of overall benefits related to their production and end-use.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the unit, the student is expected to be able to: select and analyse technical characteristics of alternative fuels/energy vectors, allowing their proper comparison. Identify feasible options for end-use of alternative fuels. Apply experimental parameters to assess combustion performance of conventional and alternative fuels. Evaluate energy and emissive indicators to assess environmental sustainability of fuels. Select and examine books and texts to find reliable technical information and data.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge on reciprocating ICE and energy systems.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures on the different items presented in the course programme and experimental activities on a test rig, focusing on specific arguments developed within the course. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Lectures

Introduction – European legislation on exhaust and green-house gas emissions. Renewable Energy Directives (RED) applied in Europe. Energy and emissive indexes.

Alternative fuels – Definitions and classifications of available options (biofuels, e-fuels, green/blue/brown fuels, etc.). Chemical and physical properties of alternative fuels. Air – fuel blends/mixtures characteristics with reference to selected fuels. Technical issues, benefits, and disadvantages of alternative fuels/energy vectors (biogas, biofuels, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen). Hints on production methods and costs of renewable fuels.

Experimental methodologies to assess fuels performance in internal combustion engines – Measurements of indicated pressure diagrams: instruments and components of the measuring chain, data acquisition and processing procedures, operational issues. Calculation of heat release curves. Combustion parameters: definitions, purposes, application examples. Comparison of alternative fuels.

Evaluation of energy and emissive indicators – Well-to-Wheels/Well-to-Wake methods: definitions, meanings, evaluation of Well-to-Tank and Tank-to-Wheels/Wake contributions. Assessment of green-house gas and pollutant emission factors. Evaluation of green-house gas emissions for conventional and alternative fuels/energy vectors. Application examples: road vehicles and energy indicators in the maritime sector.

Practice

Test bench measurements on an engine.

This unit contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda: Objectives 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy) and 13 (Fighting climate change).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Notes on the different themes discussed in lectures will be provided by the teacher.

Information on availability and access to books listed in References will be given by the teacher.

1. P. Richards, Automotive Fuels Reference Book, SAE International, 2005.
2. R. van Basshuysen, Natural Gas and Renewable Methane for Powertrains. Future strategies for a Climate Neutral Mobility, Springer, 2016.
3. B. Kegl, M. Kegl, S. Pehan, Green Diesel Engines – Biodiesel Usage in Diesel Engines, Springer, 2013.
4. B. Morey, Future Automotive Fuels and Energy – Technology Profile, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2013.
5. G. Kalghatgi, Fuel/Engine Interactions, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2014.
6. R. Edwards, H. Hass, J.F. Larivé, L. Lonza, H. Maas, D. Rickeard, Well-to-Wheels analysis of future automotive fuels and powertrains in the European context – Well-to-Wheels Report, Version 5, European Commission – Joint Research Centre, Institute for Energy and Transport, 2020.
7. K. Senecal, F. Leach, Racing Toward Zero – The Untold Story of Driving Green. SAE International, 2021.
8. G. Ferrari, G. D’Errico, A. Onorati, Internal Combustion Engines. Società Editrice Esculapio. 2022.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIORGIO ZAMBONI (President)

SILVIA MARELLI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/9269/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Examination is based on an oral test, proposing two questions, selecting their subject among the unit topics.

For students with specific learning disabilities (disturbi specifici dell'apprendimento), more time will be available and the use of concept maps (mappe concettuali) will be allowed, after presenting the relevant certificate.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The following aspects will be evaluated:

• knowledge and understanding of topics discussed during the lectures.
• Application of a critical approach to compare options and characteristics of conventional and alternative fuels.
• Use of proper technical language.
• Skills in reproducing and discussing simple technical schemes.

Exam schedule