Learning objectives
The course aims to expose the problems related to energy transformation processes and their environmental impact.<br />
Prerequisites
Basic contents in physics, as available from Physics A and Physics B.<br />
Course unit content
<br />There are 2 modules, 3 CFU each.<br />Module I, by prof. F. Giusiano, is about energy sustainability, i.e.use of renewable sources of energy and rationalisation.Module II, byprof. Agostino Gambarotta, is about environmental problems from energytransformation processes, mainly combustions.<br /><br /><br /> Module I:<br /> 1- Energy balance of planetEarth:natural and antropic contributions. Sustainability:energyrationalization and use of renewable sources of energy.<br /> 2- Renewable sources and related technologies:<br /> a) Primary solar source: <br /> I-availability of solar radiation;<br /> II-solar thermal collectors:how they work, theircharacteristics and uses;<br /> III-solar photovoltaic collectors:how they work, their characteristicsand uses.<br /> b) Secondary solar sources:<br /> I-Biomass: availability of wood biomass from forestry; plants fordirect combustion, characteristics and management; plants for anaerobicfermentation of animal and vegetal biomass; characteristics and use ofbiogas.<br /> II- Hydro resource:availability; technology of plants and managementproblems; environmental problems.<br /> III- Eolic resource:availability;technology of plants, managementproblems, environmental problems.<br /> 3-Energy rationalisation and related technologies:<br /> a) Thermodynamic direct and reverse cycles; electric generation and CHPgeneration; compression and absorption heat pumps; trigeneration.<br /> b) Analysis of processes by Sankey's diagram.<br /> c) Hydrogen as an energy vector; fuel cells, their characteristics anduses.<br /> d) Rationalisation in the use of electrical devices and appliances;meaning of energy labels.<br /> e) Rationalisation in the building processes;meaning of energy standards.<br />
Bibliography
Written contents of lectures are available.<br />Papers from magazines and materials from websites are proposed for specific subjects.<br />
Teaching methods
Lectures are oral.<br />The final examination is oral, but the studentmust produce a presentation, written or by computer slides, about asubject of her/his choice; the presentation contributes heavily to thefinal score. <br />
