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.
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.
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.
Basic knowledge on reciprocating ICE and energy systems.
Lectures on the different items presented in the course programme.
Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it), the Polytechnic School's disability liaison.
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.
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).
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.
Ricevimento: The teacher receives by appointment (please send an e-mail to giorgio.zamboni@unige.it)
GIORGIO ZAMBONI (President)
VITTORIO USAI
SILVIA MARELLI (President Substitute)
https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/9270/studenti-orario
Examination is based on an oral test, proposing two questions, selecting their subject among the unit topics.
Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework, and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (Federico.Scarpa@unige.it), the Department's disability liaison. As an example, for students with specific learning disabilities, more time will be available, and the use of concept maps will be allowed.
The following aspects will be evaluated:
