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.
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.
At the end of the unit, the student is expected to be able to:
Basic thermodynamic and fluid dynamics knowledge.
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.
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).
Detailed notes on the different topics discussed in lectures will be provided by the teacher through the Aulaweb page. Therefore, all registered students, including working 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.
Ricevimento: The teacher receives by appointment (please send an e-mail to giorgio.zamboni@unige.it)
https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/10377/studenti-orario
The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy
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).
The following aspects will be evaluated:
Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule
