Learning objectives
The course is aimed to study of interactions between the environment and energy conversion systems, with particular reference to pollution processes (both chemical and thermal) and to the impacts related to power plants. Students will be provided with fundamentals required for the understanding of most important solutions and techniques to limit the effects of the use of power plants, with reference to the actual knowledge and to engineer responsibilities in this field.
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of fundamentals of Fluid Machinery and Power Systems.
Course unit content
General aspects and considerations. Thermal and chemical pollution from power plants. Combustion processes. Fuels and related characteristics. Steam power plants. Gas turbine power plants. Alternative energy sources and related environmental impacts. Renewable energy sources. Methodologies and instrumentation for emissions measurements. Environmental legislation and regulations.
Internal combustion engines (ICE). Combustion processes in spark ignited and Diesel engines. Systems and devices for charge and combustion process management. Supercharging. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). Emissions. Techniques for the reduction of emissions from spark ignited and Diesel engines.
Full programme
General aspects and considerations. Thermal machinery and power plants. Thermal and chemical pollution from power plants. Combustion processes: chemical reactions, formation mechanisms of pollutants, evaluation of products from combustion processes. Fuels and related characteristics. Steam power plants: environmental impacts and pollutant emissions, techniques for combustion control and abatement of pollutants formation, flue-gas after-treatment systems. Gas turbine power plants: emissions from stationary and mobile plants, combustion chambers characteristics and pollutants formation, techniques for the control of combustion processes. Alternative energy sources and related environmental impacts. Renewable energy sources. Methodologies and instrumentation for emissions measurements. Environmental legislation and regulations.
Internal combustion engines (ICE): overview and characteristics. Combustion processes in spark ignited and Diesel engines: formation of particulates and unburned matters. State-of-the-art in air and fuel supply systems. Systems and devices for charge and combustion process management. Supercharging. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). Emissions from spark ingited and Diesel engines and effects of operating conditions. Techniques for the reduction of emissions from spark ignited and Diesel engines: oxidizing and reducing catalytic converters, particulate traps, deNOx systems.
Bibliography
A.Gambarotta, A.Peretto, M.Bianchi, “Impatto Ambientale dei Sistemi Energetici”, Ed.Pitagora, Bologna, 2004
S.Turns, “An introduction to Combustion. Concepts and Applications”, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996
K.Owen, T.Coley, "Automotive Fuels Reference Handbook", pubblicazioni SAE, 1995
A.Bisio, S.Boots, "Encyclopedia of energy technology and the environment", Wiley, 1995
P.Degobert, "Automobiles and Pollution", pubblicazioni SAE, 1995 E.Sassoon, C.Rapisarda Sassoon, "Management dell'Ambiente", Ed.Il Sole 24 ore, 1993
R.Vismara, "Ecologia Applicata", Hoepli, 1992
M.L.Davis, D.A.Cornwell, "Introduction to Environmental Engineering", McGraw-Hill Int.Ed., 1991
P.A.Vesilind, J.J.Peirce, R.Weiner, "Environmental Engineering", Butterworth Publishers, 1988
A.H.Lefebvre, "Gas Turbine Combustion", McGraw-Hill, 1983
G.Paccani, "L'inquinamento da autoveicoli", ESA editrice, 1979
R.Wilson, W.J.Jones, "Energia, Ecologia ed Ambiente", Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 1978
I.Glassman, "Combustion", Academic Press, 1977
J.B.Edwards, "Combustion: the formation and emission of trace species", Ann Arbor Science, 1974
Teaching methods
Lectures and numerical examples on course subjects. Technical visits to plants and energetic systems, to after-treatment systems, and of instrumentation for the pollutant emissions measurements.
Assessment methods and criteria
Final examination is oral only.
Other information
Attendance to the course lectures is highly recommended.
