OVERVIEW

This course (completely in English) shows the fundamental know-how of fuel cells and distributed generation systems (thermodynamics and component performance): different typologies, layouts, technological and environmental aspects. Different small size systems are considered for distributed generation applications. Special attention is devoted to combined heat and power generation including laboratory experiences.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of this course is to provide the students with the fundamental know-how related to fuel cells and to the concept of distributed generation systems. The attention is mainly focused on thermodynamic theory and component performance. Fuel cells are presented putting emphasis on different technology types, hybrid system plant layouts, technological and environmental aspects. This course also proposes to provide students with basic knowledge and operative elements to design different small size systems (internal combustion engines, microturbines, stirling engines, fuel cells) for applications in distributed generation grids. For this part of the course, special attention is devoted to combined heat and power generation providing students with laboratory experiences.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The attendance and active participation at the proposed teaching activities (lessons and exercises) and the individual study will allow the student to:

- know the basic aspects related to different fuel cell types (performance and operative issues);

- know the characteristics of hybrid systems (plant solutions, performance, etc.);

- know the aspects related to simulation and control of fuel cell based systems;

- understand the distributed generation systems;

- understand the distributed generation systems with co-generation and/or trigeneration;

- apply the thermodynamic concepts to the performance calculations;

- identify and analyse the main plant components.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is composed of: 54 hours including classroom lessons, exercises and laboratory visits. The exercise hours will be carried out by the teacher with the following approach: summary introduction on the contents related to the classroom lessons and development of exercises. 1 seminar will be included considering external teachers.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Fuel cells (basic structure, brief history, technological status, cost considerations); fuel cell types (polymeric, alkaline, phosphoric acid, molten carbonate, solid oxide); fuel cell electrochemistry (ideal and losses).
• Fuel cells: influence of main operative properties (pressure and temperature), materials, performance, fuel processing (external and internal reforming).
• Hybrid systems with high temperature fuel cells (MCFC; SOFC).
• Simulation, emulation and protypes of systems with fuel cells.
• Control of systems with fuel cells.
• Distributed generation systems: basic aspects, plant management and stirling engines.
• Distributed generation systems: co-generation and tri-generation.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All the slides used during the lessons and other teaching materials will be available on aul@web. In general, lesson notes and the aul@web teaching materials are enough for the successful exam preparation.

Students not attending the lessons (although the active participation at the lessons is strongly recommended) are suggested to use the aul@web teaching material. In case of doubts on these documents, please contact the teacher by e-mail: mario.ferrari@unige.it.

The following books are suggested as support (the exam can be successfully passed without reading these books):

• Fuel Cell Handbook (Seventh Edition), US Department of Energy, Morgantown, WV (USA), 2004 (available on line).
• Ferrari M.L., Damo U.M., Turan A., Sanchez D., Hybrid Systems Based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Modelling and Design, Wiley, July 2017 (available in the library).
• R. Della Volpe, “Macchine”, Liguori Editore (available in the library).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIO LUIGI FERRARI (President)

MATTEO DELLACASAGRANDE

RAMON FRANCESCONI

LOREDANA MAGISTRI

MASSIMO RIVAROLO

DANIELE SIMONI

ALESSANDRO SORCE

DARIO BARSI (President Substitute)

PIETRO ZUNINO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://courses.unige.it/10170/p/students-timetable

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is composed of an oral test on all the topics presented and discussed during the course (exercises excluded).

2/3 exam days will be available in the winter session and 3/4 for the summer session (verify on the web tool https://servizionline.unige.it/studenti/esami/prenotazione). No additional exam days will be carried out, except for the students that terminated their lessons. So, these students can contact the teacher by e-mail (mario.ferrari@unige.it) to fix a possible exceptional exam day.

To participate at this oral test, it is necessary to do the registration (at least 5 days in advance) on the web tool https://servizionline.unige.it/studenti/esami/prenotazione.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will be carried out with oral questions that can be supported by writing (on the blackboard or a paper sheet).

The details on the exam preparation and on the analysis of each topic will be provided during the lessons.

The exam will evaluate not only the student's knowledge, but also the analysis capability of problems on fuel cell based systems and distributed generation and the presentation with a right terminology. The student can be asked to design plant schemes, to analyse the system behaviour on the main thermodynamic planes, and to carry out design calculation in agreement with what presented during the lessons.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with specific needs (for instance Specific Learning Disorders) are invited to contact the teacher by e-mail (mario.ferrari@unige.it) at least 5 days before the exam. For instance, Students with learning disorders ("Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento", DSA) will be allowed to use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the delegate of the Engineering courses in the Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities.