Electrochemical energy conversion and storage

part 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 themes :

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.

part 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

part 3

The course is a complement to the CHIM0664-A-a course. It can only be followed by students who also have this Part in their curriculum.

The course extends the CHIM0664-A-a Part by adding:

1- Description of electrochemical cells: operating principle of electrolysers and photovoltaic electricity production equipment;

2- Management of hydrogen fuel (production, storage and distribution), natural gas, others; "safety" aspects related to hydrogen: properties of hydrogen, associated risks, standards and regulations, economic aspects.

part 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 if theme 5 has been developed during the lecture;

part 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.

part 3

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

1- detail the operation of complementary electrochemical systems (electrolyzers and photovoltaic cells);

2- identify the risks related to the manufacture, storage and use of different fuels;

3- replace the different technologies, in particular those related to hydrogen as a new energy vector, in a global economic context.

part 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

part 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

part 3

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

 

Please note that CHIM0664-A-c is a complement to the CHIM0664-A-a course, and cannot be included alone in the curriculum.

part 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.

part 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.

part 3

Please note that CHIM0664-A-c is a complement to the CHIM0664-A-a course, and cannot be included alone in the curriculum. The course is based on face-to-face presentations (11 hours), group work (project) and visits (field days).

Since the course is generally given to small groups of students, interaction with the teacher during the course and practical laboratory work remain the preferred way to exchange information and resolve specific questions.

The project will focus on a research work concerning the economic aspects of the different technologies covered in the CHIM0664-A-a and CHIM0664-A-c) with (i) a short report and (ii) a presentation (in English) to be made at the end of the term (flipped classroom type).

The visits will consist of a visit to the electrochemical engineering laboratory (UR chemical engineering) and 1 or 2 visits to companies or research centers in the fields related to the course (development of technologies related to the production and restitution of energy by electrochemical means). These visits depend on the reception capacities of the companies or research centers contacted. Details will be provided to students before the autumn break.

part 1

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Face-to-face lectures (6 x 2h30). 

Lectures in English.

part 2

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

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

part 3

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Face-to-face lectures (3 x ~2h30) + 2 sessions of inverse lecture (2 x ~2h) in presence.

Lectures in English.

part 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.

part 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.

part 3

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

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.

Student reports and presentation materials related to the flipped classrooms will be made available to the entire class. They will form part of the examination material.

part 1

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam


Further information:

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.

• For students following the CHIM664-A-a and CHIM-664-A-c Partim, a written exam is organized during the January and September sessions. The exam includes open questions on the mastery and knowledge of the fundamental concepts taught in the course. The emphasis will be on the operating principles of the various devices, their comparative performances and their applications.

part 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.  

part 3

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

Written work / report


Further information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam




Additional information:

 

• A written exam is organized during the January and September sessions. The exam includes open questions on the mastery and knowledge of the fundamental concepts taught in the course. The emphasis will be on the operating principles of the different devices, their comparative performances and their applications. Since the course is a complement to the CHIM664-A-a course, both parts will be evaluated simultaneously. The written exam will count for 75% of the final grade.

• The flipped classroom exercise will also be graded. The whole (report + presentation) will count for 25% of the overall grade, with each part (report and presentation) counting for half of the flipped classroom grade. Please note that any delay in submitting the report will result in a penalty of 2 points per day of delay (including weekends or holidays).

• Attendance at visits is mandatory. Any unjustified absence will result in a penalty of 1 point on the final course grade.

part 1

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

part 2

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

part 3

Lectures and flipped classes take place during the autumn session (5 sessions on Tuesday AM after the autumn break). Visits will take place within the same period of time.

part 1

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

part 2

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

part 3

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