98776 - BIOENERGY, HYDROGEN AND HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEMS

Learning outcomes

The course provides the student with knowledge and understanding about: Biomass and alternative fuels for energy application: production, treatment and storage, thermochemical conversion, environmental and economic aspects; Hydrogen for energy and transport applications: characteristics, production, gas-to-power (G2P) and power-to-gas (P2G) systems, technologies for upgrading fuels (synthetic methane), fields of application, integration into the existing infrastructure; Heat recovery systems: cycles and working principle of the main heat-to-power (H2P) technologies (Organic Rankine Cycle and Stirling engine). After completion of the course the students should (i) gain general competence related to bioenergy and hydrogen-based systems and their potential in future energy supply; (ii) working with cross-cutting problems related to bioenergy and hydrogen; (iii) analysing potential and characteristics of Organic Rankine Cycle systems heat recovery from medium and low-temperature heat sources.

Course contents

Fundamentals of Energy and Thermodynamics

• Definition and classification of energy sources.

• Forms of energy and conservation of mass and energy.

• Concepts of enthalpy, entropy, work, and heat.

• Ideal and real gases: equation of state, specific heats, ideal and real processes.

• Thermal balance and heat transfer mechanisms: conduction, convection, radiation.

Energy Systems and Fluid Machines

• Classification of fluid machines: driven machines and prime movers.

• Heat exchangers: principles and configurations.

• T–s diagrams for air and water.

• Gas and steam turbines: layouts, working principles, main performance parameters, combined cycles overview.

Heat Recovery Systems

• Role of waste heat recovery in energy systems.

• Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC): principles, layouts, and performance.

• Organic fluids: properties, environmental aspects, and applications.

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

• Role of hydrogen in future energy systems.

• Production routes: steam reforming, electrolysis (alkaline, PEM, SOEC).

• Classification by production pathway: green, blue, grey.

• Storage: compressed, liquefied, metal hydrides. Power-to-gas concept.

• Fuel cells: working principle and main types (PEM, SOFC).

Biomass and Bioenergy

• Definition, classification, and properties of biomass.

• Chemical composition and energy density (LHV).

• Conversion processes: direct combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion.

• Biogas production: principles, influencing parameters, composition.

Readings/Bibliography

Macchi, E., 2017. Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) Power Systems. Elsevier.

Bianchi M., Melino F., Peretto A., Sistemi energetici: complementi, Pitagora 2008 (in italian).

Teaching methods

Lectures + exercises (tutored and self-directed).

Assessment methods

Achievements will be assessed by means of an oral exam, which consists of technical conversation with the lecturer.

The exam is aimed at assessing the acquired knowledge, the ability of synthesis and application of the key course contents.

To obtain a passing grade, students are required to demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the key concepts of the subject.

Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate the full knowledge of the subject, the capacity of a clear and critical presentation of the contents, appropriate use of the technical language and ability for application to sample cases.

A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in the key-concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of the technical language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

No intermediate tests are scheduled.

Teaching tools

Course materials, tutorials, files, videos, etc. will be available on the interactive course website:
Virtuale (unibo.it) [https://virtuale.unibo.it/]

Office hours

See the website of Saverio Ottaviano