Course syllabus

Course-PM

MEN031 MEN031 Combustion engineering lp4 VT23 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Space, Earth and Environment

Contact details

 

Course purpose

Aim and content

The aim is to introduce the student to the principles of thermal and thermochemical conversion of feedstocks and fuels, i.e. the utilization of a fuel by combustion or gasification to generate heat or power or to convert a feedstock into base chemicals i.e. thermal recycling of plastics and waste.

Combustion engineering consists of two parts; the first is related to the conversion process itself and can be denoted combustion science. The second is related to applications and can be denoted devices and processes.

The main part of the course is related to combustion science, since it is fundamental and essential for an understanding of the design choices made and operation of the devices.

Combustion science can be divided into two subparts; where the first is related to the basic knowledge of chemistry, physics and properties of the various fuels, which are needed for the second part. The second is related to combustion phenomena, such as: criteria for combustion, combustion of various fuels, decomposition behavior and generation and destruction of emissions.

The second part of the course covers devices and applications and gives a brief overview of various types of combustors, gasifiers and new developments in the field. It is intended to acquaint the student with the most common techniques and designs in use today.

 

Schedule

 

Vecka Veckodag Startdatum Starttid
v 12 Måndag 2023-03-20 13:15 Introduction thermal conversion
v 12 Måndag 2023-03-20 15:15 demonstration
v 12 Torsdag 2023-03-23 08:00 physics
v 12 Torsdag 2023-03-23 10:00 introduction assignment series
v 12 Fredag 2023-03-24 15:15 ass1
v 13 Måndag 2023-03-27 13:15 chemical reactors
v 13 Måndag 2023-03-27 15:15 ass1
v 13 Torsdag 2023-03-30 08:00 conversion of gases and vaporized fuels
v 13 Torsdag 2023-03-30 10:00 ass1
v 13 Fredag 2023-03-31 15:15 ass2
v 15 Torsdag 2023-04-13 08:00 conversion of liquid fuels
v 15 Torsdag 2023-04-13 10:00 ass 2
v 15 Fredag 2023-04-14 15:15 ass2
v 16 Måndag 2023-04-17 13:15 conversion of solids
v 16 Måndag 2023-04-17 15:15 ass3
v 16 Torsdag 2023-04-20 08:00 reaction criterias
v 16 Torsdag 2023-04-20 10:00 ass3
v 16 Fredag 2023-04-21 15:15 thermochemical decomposition, products and emissions
v 17 Måndag 2023-04-24 13:15 Combustion devices, turbines, engines, boilers and furnaces
v 17 Måndag 2023-04-24 15:15 ass3
v 17 Torsdag 2023-04-27 08:00 New combustion technologies I "Carbon free combustion"
v 17 Torsdag 2023-04-27 10:00 ass4
v 17 Fredag 2023-04-28 15:15 ass4
v 18 Torsdag 2023-05-04 08:00 New combustion technologies II "CCS/CCU" and scaling
v 18 Torsdag 2023-05-04 10:00 solution 1-3, ass 5
v 18 Fredag 2023-05-05 15:15  ass 5 intro ass 6
v 19 Måndag 2023-05-08 13:15 waste incinneration
v 19 Måndag 2023-05-08 15:15 ass6
v 19 Torsdag 2023-05-11 08:00 Wrap-up 
v 19 Torsdag 2023-05-11 10:00 ass6
v 19 Fredag 2023-05-12 15:15 ass6
v 20 Måndag 2023-05-15 13:15 Gasifiers and Pyrolysis, technology
v 20 Måndag 2023-05-15 15:15 ass 6 + study visit
v 21 Måndag 2023-05-22 13:15 ass6
v 21 Måndag 2023-05-22 15:15 ass6
v 21 Torsdag 2023-05-25 08:00 Presentation 
v 21 Torsdag 2023-05-25 10:00 Presentation 
v 21 Fredag 2023-05-26 15:15  
v 22 Tisdag 2023-05-30 08:30 Exam
v 22 Onsdag 2023-08-22 08:30 Retake exam

the schedule is subject to change which will be announced on the course page

Course literature

List all mandatory literature, including descriptions of how to access the texts (e.g. Cremona, Chalmers Library, links).

Also list reference literature, further reading, and other non-mandatory texts.

Course design

1.Lectures on conversion science

2.(Demonstration of phenomena, study visit,) lectures on applications, R&D

3.A build-up case study divided into 5 assignments. Sessions are scheduled for introduction, support and solution to the assignments. Short written individual reports are handed in for each assignment (compulsory). Reports must be handed in at latest one week after the last corresponding session and will be corrected once!

4.Group project (assignment 6) on a thermo(chemical) system, compulsory presentation of the work on 25/5  at 9:00 

5.A concluding written examination 30st of May,    retake-exam 22nd  of Aug

 

Changes made since the last occasion

The course is continuously updated to take up trends and developments in the field of thermal fuel conversion, this affects mostly the parts related to combustion engineering (applications).

Learning objectives

  • Account for the most important fuels, their characteristics and different factors that decide their use.
  • Demonstrate basic understanding of the chemistry associated with combustion, which includes stoichiometry, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, kinetic or diffusion controlled processes and adiabatic combustion temperature.
  • Demonstrate basic understanding of the physics associated with combustion, which includes the conservation equations of total mass, specific species and energy, dimensionless numbers and the influence of turbulence and ways to handle it.
  • Establish and solve a scheme of basic chemical reactors for a given combustion situation.
  • Understand the criteria for ignition and extinction.
  • Understand relevant analytical concepts for basic estimations of relevant properties, and have the capability to use these for analyzing issues related to the conversion of various types of different fuels.
  • Account for the major emissions associated with combustion, their generation and destruction paths and measures to minimize pollutant emissions in different combustion devices.
  • Account for the design of different combustion devices, such as gas turbines, internal combustion engines, boilers and furnaces.
  • Be able to take forward a design prospect for the optimal design of a large-scale furnace given a fuel type, thermal power, design temperature and allowed emission levels.

Examination form

To get approved you need:

Approved assignments

Approved written examination

The compendium will be allowed to use in the written examination.

Roughly 1/3 of the written examination is allocated to calculation tasks

40 % to get approved on the written examination

 

Course summary:

Date Details Due