99540 - Energy Systems for the Environment, for Hydrogen and for P2G M

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide student with knowledge on design and operational issues of modern energy systems with reference to their impact on the environment, mainly in terms of pollutants formation and the advanced solutions for emissions removal. The student also acquires knowledge on hydrogen-powered systems and machines for the environment, required for the implementation of power-to-gas energy conversion strategies”

Course contents

The course is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the environmental impact of energy systems, with specific reference to atmospheric pollution, combustion, gas turbines, the use of hydrogen and power-to-gas systems. The second part addresses other conventional and advanced energy technologies, with attention to environmental impacts, energy recovery and integration with renewable sources.

Part I – Environmental Impact of Energy Systems and Use of Hydrogen

• Introduction and atmospheric pollution from energy systems — approximately 3 lectures
  Overview of the environmental impact of energy systems. Quantification of air pollutants and related units of measurement. Formation mechanisms of NOx and CO and their effects on the environment.
• Combustion fundamentals for environmental impact analysis — approximately 2 lectures
  Key definitions and variables in combustion: mixtures, flammability limits and temperatures. Premixed and non-premixed combustion modes, process rates and aerodynamic schemes.
• Environmental impact of gas turbine units and combined cycles — approximately 5 lectures
  Conventional combustors: boundary conditions, components and functions. Pollutant formation in gas turbine units, key factors, localization and emission-control methods. BAT technologies, DLN systems, emissions at varying loads, SCR and SCONOX systems, introduction to catalytic combustors and methods for assessing emissions in CHP systems.
• Use of hydrogen in energy systems and gas turbines — approximately 3 lectures
  Properties of hydrogen and H2-CH4 mixtures; energy density parameters. Combustion of hydrogen and methane blends: emission factors, Wobbe index and flammability limits. Combustor architectures for hydrogen-fuelled gas turbines and effects on turbomachinery.
• Energy systems for power-to-gas — approximately 2 lectures
  Hydrogen production and examples of power-to-gas systems. Consequences of hydrogen injection into the natural gas distribution network.
• Exercise on numerical tools for combustion simulation
  Introduction to numerical tools for the simulation of combustion phenomena.

Part II – Conventional and Advanced Energy Technologies and Environmental Impact

• Thermal pollution and cooling systems for energy systems — approximately 3 lectures
  Heat releases and main cooling systems: open-loop systems, evaporative cooling towers, dry and hybrid cooling towers, air-cooled condensers and parallel water/air systems. Water consumption, plume formation, visual impact and particulate matter emissions.
• Refrigeration systems and environmental impact — approximately 2 lectures
  Vapour-compression refrigeration systems, performance and refrigerants. ODP, GWP and TEWI indicators; HFC and HFO fluids; introduction to ASHRAE nomenclature. Cryogenic systems for gas liquefaction.
• ORC systems, sCO2 systems and waste heat recovery — approximately 2 lectures
  Applications of ORC systems. Thermodynamic cycle architecture, fluid properties, machine characteristics and performance indicators. Supercritical CO2 systems. Exercise on thermodynamic performance analysis using numerical tools.
• Environmental impact of advanced external-combustion systems — approximately 2 lectures
  Fluidized-bed technologies, PFBC and integrated systems. Coal gasification and IGCC plants.
• Non-combustion renewable energy systems and hybrid systems — approximately 1 lecture
  Geothermal power systems, their architectures and environmental impact. Hybrid energy systems for the transition and integration with gas turbines, steam turbines or combined cycles.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes and slides available after each lesson are the main source of information for the exam preparation.

Foreign students can ask the teacher for English readings, corresponding to the topics in this text.

Sistemi Energetici - Impatto ambientale, Vol. 3, E.Bonomo (in Italian).

 

Teaching methods

The course is delivered through in-person lectures, supported by the use of an electronic whiteboard. The instructor uses this tool to develop diagrams, formulas and functional representations of the systems addressed in the course, also through the projection of complex plant layouts.

Attendance is recommended in order to support the learning of concepts and course content, but it does not affect the final assessment process. Subject to compatibility with the lecture timetable, visits to plants covered in the programme, seminars with representatives from companies in the sector, and a visit to the energy systems laboratory may be arranged.

Assessment methods

Assessment Methods

Assessment consists of an individual oral examination covering all course contents. During the examination, the student may be asked to reproduce formulas, diagrams and, where appropriate, freehand drawings.

The examination assesses in particular:

• knowledge of the functions of the systems addressed in the course;
• the ability to describe their layouts and schemes;
• mastery of the derivations and demonstrations presented during the course;
• understanding of the main quantitative parameters.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment is expressed on a scale of 30. To pass the examination, the student must demonstrate mastery of the key concepts of the course and the ability to use the technical language and conceptual tools presented during the lectures.

Higher marks are awarded to students who demonstrate full understanding of the course contents and the ability to use them appropriately. Failure to pass the examination may result from insufficient knowledge of the fundamental concepts or limited command of the technical language.

If the course is taken as part of the integrated course Cogeneration, Hydrogen, P2G M C.I., the recorded final mark is calculated as the arithmetic mean, rounded up to the nearest integer, of the marks obtained in the courses composing the integrated course. The final mark of 30 cum laude is awarded if the candidate has obtained 30 in both modules and cum laude in at least one of them.

 

In accordance with the University’s Code of Ethics, students are reminded to maintain the highest standards of integrity. Any activity aimed at improperly altering the outcome of assessments is strictly prohibited (e.g., cheating, plagiarism, accessing online course materials, or using unauthorized AI tools).

Please note in particular that mere possession of unauthorized devices or materials during an exam will result in the immediate invalidation of the test and reporting to the relevant authorities.

Conduct that violates these rules may lead to disciplinary proceedings or, where applicable, reports to the competent authorities; in the latter case, students involved may face criminal proceedings.

Teaching tools

The use of overhead projector and pc is considered in order to show the case of complex layouts of the plants and energy systems related with the course contents. All the lecture contents are shared at the end of each lecture.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea De Pascale