LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims at providing the knowledge on the main types of machines, with reference to those used in transport and logistic systems, as well as on energy systems and their environmental impact. The main objectives are: to provide an adequate and critical knowledge on the main design and operating aspects of internal combustion engines and gas turbines power plants. To analyse combustion processes and pollutant emissions formation, including the relevant technologies for their control. To define criteria for the comparison of propulsion systems based on conventional and alternative (electric, hybrid and fuel cell) technologies.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the unit, the student is expected to be able to:

• show an adequate and critical knowledge on machines and energy systems for transport applications, taking into account energy-related and economic issues;
• analyse and compare systems and technologies, discussing criteria for their selection;
• apply theoretical basis and operating principles to manage performance and environmental impact of machines and energy systems.

PREREQUISITES

Basic thermodynamic and fluid dynamics knowledge.

TEACHING METHODS

40 hours of lectures, 5 hours of numerical practices.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Lectures

General aspects

Primary energy sources and their transformations - Energy consumption worldwide and in Italy - Energy, transport and environment indicators.

Fundamentals for the study of machines and energy systems

Fluid machines classification – Work exchange in volumetric machines and turbomachines – Conversion efficiency in fluid machines – Thermodynamic cycles - Thermal power plants overall efficiency - Specific fuel consumption.

Combustion processes and pollutant emissions formation

Conventional and alternative fuels and their specifications – Air-fuel ratio and lower heating value – Combustion processes: general aspects and classifications, premixed and diffusion flames – Pollutants formation processes and their effect on health and environment.

Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)

ICE classification, engine components, nomenclature, operational parameters – Ideal and real operation of 2 and 4 stroke engines – Reference thermodynamic cycles for SI and diesel engines – Engine power correlations – Combustion processes in ICE – Engine performance maps – Supercharging and turbocharging – ICE pollutant emissions control.

Positive displacement compressors and pumps

Reciprocating and rotary displacement compressors: operating principle, constructive characteristics, ideal and real working cycle, flow rate control systems – Volumetric pumps: alternative and rotary machines, working principle, construction types – Characteristic curves – Fluid machine-circuit matching.

Gas turbine power plants

General aspects, open and closed circuit plants – Gas cycles: ideal and fuel-air and real cycle – Maximum efficiency and specific work condition – Gas turbine power plants for aeronautical and industrial application – Gas turbine power plant components: compressor, combustion chamber, expander.

Environmental aspects of power generation

Chemical, thermal and noise pollution – Emissions and environment: main air quality issues – Environmental impact of gas turbine and internal combustion engines – Emission control systems and after-treatment devices.

Electric and hybrid propulsion

General overview of electric and hybrid propulsion systems - Hybrid propulsion: hybrid system configurations, hybrid categories (start-&-stop, micro, mild, full hybrid systems) – Electric propulsion: advantages/disadvantages, performance, operating range, costs.

Practices

Calculation of energy systems operating parameters.

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

Detailed notes on the different topics discussed in lectures will be provided by the teacher through the Aulaweb page. Therefore, all registered students will access documents to prepare the exam. It is recommended to attend the lectures.

Y. Demirel – Energy: Production, Conversion, Storage, Conservation and Coupling – 2nd Edition, Springer, 2016.

S.L. Dixon – Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Turbomachinery – 4th Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1998.

B. Miller – Fossil fuel emissions control technologies – Butterworth-Heinemann, 2015.