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.
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.
The attendance and active participation at the proposed teaching activities (lessons, exercises and laboratory activities) 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;
- know aspects related to fuel-based laboratory plants development and utilization.
The course is composed of: 54 hours including classroom lessons, exercises and laboratory experiences. 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. At least 1 seminar will be included considering external teachers.
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. For more information, check the webpage https://unige.it/en/commissioni/comitatoperlinclusionedeglistudenticondisabilita
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):
Ricevimento: The students can contact the teacher at the e-mail address: mario.ferrari@unige.it
https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/10170/studenti-orario
The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy
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 schedule 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.
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, course work and exams, should speak both with the Teacher and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it ), the Department's disability liaison.
The achievement of the learning results will be carried out with oral questions that can be supported by writing activities (on the blackboard or a paper sheet).
These questions will evaluate not only the student's knowledge, but also the analysis capability of problems related to 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 calculations in agreement with what presented during the lessons.
Students with a valid physical or learning disability certificate on file at the University of Genova may contact the Professor of the teaching unit to discuss appropriate ways to assess their individual preparation for the course in question.
The student is asked to send an email to the Professor with a proper advance before the examination, inserting in copy the Polytechnic School's disability liaison (federico.scarpa@unige.it).
For further information please contact the teacher by e-mail: Prof. Ferrari Mario Luigi (mario.ferrari@unige.it).
