Duration
50h Th, 1d FW, 10h Proj.
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course addresses two main aspects associated with sustainable fuel management, the production and properties of fuels on the one hand and the management of their combustion on the other, with a focus on ways to reduce air pollution.
The course begins with an introduction to energy sources and vectors, both fossil and renewable. The different techniques for converting chemical and nuclear energy into thermal energy are discussed. The different forms of renewable energy and associated technologies are described. The course also aims to stimulate reflection on how to ensure a sustainable energy supply, given the depletion of fossil resources and the consequences of air pollution, particularly the intensification of the greenhouse effect. One part will be devoted to the use of CO2 in this context ("power to fuel").
Atmospheric pollution will be dealt with in a broad manner by addressing both aspects related to the production of pollutants and their environmental impact (acid rain, global warming, production of tropospheric ozone, etc.) and aspects related to the prevention (primary methods) or treatment of pollution (secondary methods). Flue gas cleaning techniques are presented for large combustion plants as well as for vehicles.
Main pollutants studied: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, oxidised organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, soot and ash.
Primary methods: modification of the energy mix, reduction in the quantity of primary energy consumed, fuel purification, optimisation of operating conditions, etc.
Secondary methods: flue gas purification (desulphurisation, denitrification, dust removal, CO2 capture and use, 2-way and 3-way catalytic converter, ...).
The course is divided into chapters.
- Introduction
- Geopolitical, economic, industrial and environmental aspects of energy.
- Conventional fossil fuels
- Nuclear energy
- Conventional' renewable energy sources
- Combustion
- Air pollution and the role played by combustion
- Inventory of combustion pollutants: emission mechanisms and quantities emitted
- Regulatory standards relating to air pollution
- Techniques for reducing emissions of pollutants from combustion
- Environmental impact according to a life cycle approach
- The special case of reducting CO2 emissions
- New generation fuels: e-fuels
- Gasification, principles, pros and cons
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of the course, the student will be able
1) to show his understanding of the theoretical concepts seen in the course;
2) to explain the relations between energy consumption, demography and economic development and on this base to discuss the evolution of the world energy consumption
3) to define the notions of reserves and resources in fossil fuels and to supply some order of magnitudes
4) to explain in a simplified way the formation of fossil fuels as well as means to extract and convert them into fuels
5) to explain the contribution of the use of the fossil fuels to diverse phenomena of atmospheric pollution
6) to explain in a simplified way the functioning of a nuclear power plant, the phenomenon of fission, ...
7) to describe the technologies implemented to exploit the renewable sources of energy
8) to discuss the place of the fossil fuels and renewable energies to assure the energy supply, at the Belgian and European scale, now and at the horizon 2020.
9) to discuss the expected options in the future to decrease the energy consumption and assure the energy supply;
10) to explain the main environmental phenomena connected to atmospheric pollution (acid rains, ozone layer depletion, production of tropospheric ozone, the intensification of the greenhouse effect);
11) to realize the inventory of main pollutants of combustion, to explain their mechanisms of production, to describe their impact on the environment and to explain the allowing means either to prevent their emission, or to eliminate them from flue gases
12) to realize a calculation of flow and composition of flue gases during the combustion of a fossil fuel realized in excess of air including the determination of the required quantity of air as well as the check of the contents in sulphur and nitrogen oxides in comparison with the current regulation.
13) to describe what the gasification of hydrocarbon materials is, the resources used, the mechanisms, the processes and types of reactors as well as to discuss the role of gasification in energy systems.
14) to describe the technologies and process configurations for capturing and storing CO2, to identify the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies and configurations and to discuss their potential role in the energy transition
15) to carry out a critical study of the various synthetic fuels of non-biological origin, whether they are produced from CO2 (hydrocarbons, synthetic gasoline, e-methane or e-methanol) or not (hydrogen, ammonia).
The first eleven points are the object of a detailed list of questions which will be communicated at the beginning of course.
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, II.1, IV.4, V.1, V.2, VI.1 of the MSc in chemical and material science engineering.
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, II.1, V.1, V.2, VI.1 of the MSc in electromechanical engineering.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The course relies on basic knowledge in chemistry, as taught in the courses of the bachelor in civil engineering or chemical sciences.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is based on 'ex-cathedra' lectures, one of them being devoted to the calculation of flue gas composition during combustion of fossil fuels.
One group exercice is organized as well.
The visit of an industrial site will be also organized.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face lectures + available remotely and via podcasts depending on technical options.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Slides used during the lectures may be downloaded from eCampus.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
Additional information:
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
- Remote
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
Written work / report
Additional information:
The examination is a written examination, where the students have to demonstrate at the same time their knowledge and their understanding of the concepts and technologies seen during the theoretical course.
For the part with Mr. G. Léonard, the examination combines Multiple Choice Questions as well as open questions. The questions will cover the topics of following sections: gasification, synthetic fuels, hydrogen, CO2 capture, storage and re-use.
For the part with Mrs. A. Léonard, every student receives open questions from a list communicated beforehand.
A group work will also be organized during the semester and will contribute to the final grade. In June, the final grade distribution will be:
- written exam : 75%
- project: 25%
In the event of failure at the June exam, students who wish to retake the exam at the second session and who have obtained a mark of less than 10/20 on the project will have to answer an additional during the August exam, coverring the topics of the project. This additional question will be facultative for students who achieved at least 10/20 for the project. If these students decide to answer the question, then the grade they will achieve for this question will replace the project's grade.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course is given during the first quadrimester, on Thursday morning (8h30-12h30). See also timetable in Celcat.
Contacts
Prof. Angélique LEONARD
A.Leonard@uliege.be
Prof. Grégoire LEONARD
G.Leonard@uliege.be
Teaching assisants:
Brieuc Beguin: brieuc.beguin@uliege.be
Justin Barras: justin.barras@uliege.be