OVERVIEW

The unit deals with the most relevant topics relating to environmentally friendly propulsion systems. Moreover, a deep overview of the alternative fuels showing the potential to replace fossil fuels is presented, especially for the applications in internal combustion engines. Legislation, technical, energy, environmental, and economic aspects are considered, considering the main issues related to fuels production and end-use.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student attendance during the lessons and related study activities will allow:

• to know the main features related to the environmental impact of internal combustion engines;
• to identify the main features of environmentally friendly propulsion systems;
• to select and analyse technical characteristics of alternative fuels/energy vectors, allowing their proper comparison;
• to identify feasible options for end-use of alternative fuels;
• to evaluate energy and emissive indicators to assess the environmental sustainability of fuels.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge on reciprocating ICEs.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures on the different items presented in the program. Moreover, experimental activities on two different test rigs, focusing on specific arguments developed within the course and/or seminars offered by academic and industrial experts and technical visits can be organised.

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

CO2 reduction in automotive ICE – General overview on problems, legislation and possible actions – CO2 emission reduction in thermal engines: downsizing concept and related technologies, mechanical losses reduction, cylinders de-activation, advanced cooling systems – Advanced fuel injection systems for Spark Ignition (SI) and Diesel engines – HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) combustion processes – Valve control systems in ICE: Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) systems, developed applications, control strategies, use in SI and diesel engines, effect on fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

Fuel cell application to propulsion systems: general overview on the electrochemical conversion process, fuel cell types and characteristics, fuel cell application to powertrain systems (types, operating problems, performance, hydrogen generation and storage systems), energy and emissive balance, applications, technical and economic issues, further developments.

Electric and hybrid propulsion: advantages/disadvantages, performance, operating range, costs, energy storage devices characteristics, global energy and emissive balance, hybrid system configurations, hybrid categories (start-&-stop, micro, mild, full hybrid systems), characteristics and limits of operating configurations, applied examples, global energy and emissive balance, further developments.

European legislation on exhaust and greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable Energy Directives (RED) applied in Europe. Energy and emissive indexes. 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.

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.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Notes on the different themes discussed in lectures will be provided by the teachers on the Aulaweb page of the unit. They will be available for all the registered students, including student workers. Lesson notes and classroom material (which can be downloaded on Aulaweb) are sufficient for the exam preparation.

Information on availability and access to books listed in References will be given by the teachers.

P. Richards, Automotive Fuels Reference Book, 3rd Edition, SAE International, 2014.

R. van Basshuysen, Natural Gas and Renewable Methane for Powertrains. Future strategies for a Climate Neutral Mobility, Springer, 2016.

B. Kegl, M. Kegl, S. Pehan, Green Diesel Engines – Biodiesel Usage in Diesel Engines, Springer, 2013.

B. Morey, Future Automotive Fuels and Energy – Technology Profile, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2013.

G. Kalghatgi, Fuel/Engine Interactions, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2014.

R. Edwards, H. Hass, J.F. Larivé, L. Lonza, H. Maas, D. Rickeard, Well-to-Wheels analysis of future automotive fuels and powertrains in the European context – Well-to-Wheels Report, Version 5, European Commission – Joint Research Centre, Institute for Energy and Transport, 2020.

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

G. Ferrari, G. D’Errico, A. Onorati, Internal Combustion Engines. Società Editrice Esculapio. 2022.

C.T. Chong, J.H. Ng, Advanced Transport Biofuels. Production, Economics, and Sustainability; Woodhead Series in Bioenergy; Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2025.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

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, one on propulsion systems, one on alternative fuels.

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.

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 conventional and alternative fuels.
• Use of proper technical language.
• Skills in reproducing and discussing simple technical schemes.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ask the professors for other information not included in the teaching schedule