Sustainable Fuels for Energy Transition
Content
- Energy outlook and introduction to sustainable fuels
- Processes for converting sustainable fuels
- Fuel synthesis: Gasification and Fischer-Tropsch
- Biomass combustion
- Combustion kinetics of sustainable fuels
- Introduction to combustion simulations and experiments
- Hydrogen
- Ammonia
- Sustainable fuel application: Internal combustion engines and gas turbines
- Life cycle analysis
- Introduction to fuel cell technology and metallic fuels
Knowledge and understanding
The course provides an overview of the role of sustainable fuels in the path towards decarbonization. Various energy conversion concepts for biofuels, e-fuels, and bio-hybrid fuels are presented, focusing on the characterization of raw materials, processes, energy flow, economics, and carbon footprint. The fundamentals of combustion processes are introduced, and the discussion is complemented by the theory of combustion chemistry. The applicability of sustainable fuels to major technical applications, such as internal combustion engines and gas turbines, is discussed. Special attention is given to hydrogen and ammonia as key carbon-free fuel candidates for the transition to a carbon-free economy. The emphasis is on the latest research developments in production and combustion processes. Life cycle analysis methods and their application to various well-to-wheel scenarios are presented. Finally, an introduction to fuel cell technology and metallic fuels is provided.
Skills and competencies
- Understanding of sustainable fuel production processes, combustion process modeling, and their application in internal combustion engines and gas turbines - Communication on various topics such as combustion, pollutants, sustainable fuels, and specific important fuels like ethanol, biodiesel, ammonia, and hydrogen
- Calculations for determining fuel properties, combustion in internal combustion engines and gas turbines
- Simulations to determine fundamental combustion parameters such as ignition delay time and laminar flame speed
- Understanding of conducting combustion experiments