OVERVIEW

The unit deals with the most relevant topics related to machines and energy systems applied in the transport and logistics sector, analyzing their working principles, operating and technical issues and the relevant environmental impact. Alternative fuels are also considered, as a way to contribute to the decarbonization of the transportation sector.

AIMS AND CONTENT

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.
• assess benefits and technical issues related to the production and end-use of alternative fuels.

PREREQUISITES

Basic thermodynamic and fluid dynamics knowledge.

TEACHING METHODS

40 hours of lectures, 5 hours of numerical practices.

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.

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.

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 plant components: compressor, combustion chamber, expander – Applications of gas turbine power plants

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.

Alternative fuels

Definitions and classifications of available options (biofuels, e-fuels, green/blue/brown fuels, etc.) – Chemical and physical properties of alternative fuels – Technical issues, benefits, and disadvantages of alternative fuels/energy vectors.

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.

K. Senecal, F. Leach – Racing Toward Zero. The Untold Story of Driving Green. SAE International, 2021.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIORGIO ZAMBONI (President)

SILVIA MARELLI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/10377/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.

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 Polytechnic School's disability liaison, Prof. Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it).

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 machines and energy systems;
• use of proper technical language;
• skills in reproducing and discussing simple technical schemes.

Exam schedule