Electrochemical energy conversion and storage

partim 1

The course deals with the functioning and engineering electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices like batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors. The systems studied are commercial ones as well as systems under development at the laboratory scale.



The course contains five distinct chapters :

1- Introduction : brief restatement of the context, history and development perspectives of FCs, batteries and supercapacitors ;

2- General electrochemistry - systems under reversible functioning : (re)statement of fundamental concepts of electrochemistry (redox reactions, electrochemical cells, standard and non-standard electromotive force) and thermodynamics (thermodynamics applied to reversible electrochemical systems) ;

3- Description of electrochemical cells : working principles of primary and secondary electrochemical cells, fuel cells, capacitors and supercapacitors, and comparison of the application domains of these systems ;

4- Cells under real operating conditions: yields, voltage-current relationship, overpotentials, specific ase of PEM fuel cells, methods for the characterization of isolated elements and systems under operating conditions ;

If time allows (depending on student's questions):
5- Fuel management : hydrogen (production, storage, supply), natural gas, others ; safety of hydrogen handling : hydrogen properties, risks, standards and regulations.

Note: some years, it was not possible to detail properly chapter 5 because the lecture time was finally allocated to answering the (numerous) questions of the students about chapters 1 to 4. Content not detailed in class is of course not part of the exam material, even though the supports are available to the students.

partim 2

This part of lecture consists in realizing laboratory experiments over fuel cells, batteries ans supercapacitors. Those laboratory sessions are coupled to CHIM0664-A-a, which comprises the theoretical background necessary to undertake the laboratory sessions. Those laboratory sessions cannot be taken without the theoretical lecture.

 

--> see content of CHIM0664-A-a

partim 1

After this course, the student will be able to :

1- detail the functioning principles of electrochemical systems (batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors) ;

2- identify and explain the yield loss sources (limitations) existing in electrochemical systems under real operation conditions ;

3- identify the advantages/difficulties of each studied electrochemical system (batteries, fuel cells supercapacitors), the associated costs and possibilities of improvement ;

4- identify the risks linked to synthesis, storage and use of fuels used in electrochemical devices;

partim 2

After the laboratory sessions, the student will be able to realize the complete electrochemical characterization of a PEM fuel cell, a supercapacitor or a Li-ion battery on test bench.

partim 1

The course relies on basic concepts in physics, chemistry and thermodynamics.
 
Chemistry (CHIM9272-2 and CHIM9273-1) 
Rudiments of thermodynamics (CHIM0286-1)
Physics (PHYS2020 and PHYS2021)
or equivalent

partim 2

The course relies on basic concepts in physics, chemistry and thermodynamics.
 
Chemistry (CHIM9272-2 and CHIM9273-1) 
Rudiments of thermodynamics (CHIM0286-1)
Physics (PHYS2020 and PHYS2021)
or equivalent

partim 1

The course is based on face-to-face lectures (15 h).


Since the course is usually chosen by small number of students, interaction with the teacher during lessons and practical activities remain the privileged way of exchanging information and solving specific problems.

partim 2

Laboratory sessions (15 h).


Laboratory practical work deals with the electrochemical characterization of PEM fuel cells, supercapacitors or Li-ion batteries. Measurements performed on test benches are used to calculate various operating parameters of the systems.

Since the laboratory sessions are performed in smal student groups (2-3) interaction with the teacher during lessons and practical activities remain the privileged way of exchanging information and solving specific problems.

partim 1

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Face-to-face lectures (6 x 2h30). 

Lectures in English.

partim 2

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Compulsory presence at the laboratory sessions (3 half-days). Lectures in English.

partim 1

Slides used during the lectures are accessible to students via e-campus. Since the lecture is a "seminar-type", these slides are not necessarily self-sufficient and it is required from the students to complete them by personal notes taken during the lecture. A selected bibliography is mentioned at the end of the lecture notes, but the students are encouraged to make their own bibliographic research.

partim 2

Since the lab sessions (CHIM0664-B-a) are coupled to the theoretical lecture (CHIM0664-A-a), the material available is the same.

Slides used during the lectures are accessible to students via e-campus. Since the lecture is a "seminar-type", these slides are not necessarily self-sufficient and it is required from the students to complete them by personal notes taken during the lecture.
A selected bibliography is mentioned at the end of the lecture notes, but the students are encouraged to make their own bibliographic research.

partim 1

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam


Additional information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam


Additional information:

• An oral exam takes place in January and September. Based on open questions, the evaluation focuses on the deep understanding of fundamental concepts learned during the course. The questions proposed by the evaluator constitute the starting point of a discussion; this discussion allows an assessment of the student's ability to understand and apply the concepts taught rather than to restore them as they are.

• For the students who also follow the practical part of the lecture (laboratories: CHIM0664-B-a), the final evaluation is based on the oral exam (70%), on the laboratory report and on the active participation to laboratory practice (30%). If the mark related to laboratory work is equal to or higher than 10/20, the student may decide to keep it for the September examination. In case of failure in September, no partial exemption is granted from one academic year to the next. For those who choose to follow the theoretical part of the lecture only (CHIM0664-A-a), the oral examination is the only evaluation mode.

partim 2

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report


Additional information:

Written work / report


Additional information:

• A written report (per group) will be produced. It should include the description of the experiments realized and a thorough analysis of the results.

• A deadline is decided in agreement with the students' schedule. Any postponement of the report handing would lead to penalties (-2 points on the final mark per additional day, week-end days included).

• The final evaluation (for both CHIM0664-A-a and CHIM0664-B-a) is based on the oral exam (70%), on the laboratory report and on the active participation to laboratory practice (30%). If the mark related to laboratory work is equal to or higher than 10/20, the student may decide to keep it for the September examination. In case of failure in September, no partial exemption is granted from one academic year to the next.  

partim 1

Lectures take place during the autumn session (6 sessions on Tuesday PM from 15/09)

partim 2

Laboratories are organized during the autumn session (3 half-days, schedule to be confirmed with the students)

partim 1

Prof. Nathalie Job
Department of Chemical Engineering, B6a
Tel: 04/366.35.37 - Nathalie.Job@uliege.be

partim 2

Prof. Nathalie Job
Department of Chemical Engineering, B6a
Tel: 04/366.35.37 - Nathalie.Job@uliege.be