Combustion and fuels

lmeca2160  2020-2021  Louvain-la-Neuve

Combustion and fuels
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).
5 credits
30.0 h + 30.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Papalexandris Miltiadis;
Language
English
Main themes
Origins, nature, and conditioning of fuels. Mass and energy balance laws of combustion. Physical chemistry and chemical kinetics of combustion: reacting schemes and phenomenology of the modes of combustion. Fuel combustion technologies: conception and design of combustion heat transfer equipment.
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 With respect to the reference  AA of the programme of studies "Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering", this course contributes to the development and acquisition of the following skills
  • AA1.1, AA1.2, AA1.3
  • AA2.3, AA2.4, AA2.5
  • AA3.1, AA3.3
  • AA4.1, AA4.2, AA4.3, AA4.4
  • AA5.2, AA5.4, AA5.5
  • AA6.1, AA6.4
Specific learning outcomes of the course
More specifically, by the end of the course, the student will be able
i) to apply the main concepts of the thermo-chemistry of combustion to the evaluation of the quality of combustion in energy systems, including thermal engines.
ii) to perform calculations of combustion equipment and associated heat-transfer devices.
iii) to understand the environmental aspects of fossil fuel combustion.
 
Content
1.Energetic study of fuels and their use.
Origins and formation of fuels.
Conditioning and specification of fuels. Global mass and energy balance laws in combustion. Control and diagnostic techniques.
2. Thermochemistry of combustion.
Chemical kinetics of combustion. Chain-branching mechanisms. Explosivity and flammability limits, flame temperature. Chemical reaction rates. Pollutant formation. Measurement techniques.
 3. Combustion and heat transfer technologies.
 Laminar premixed flames. Introduction to turbulent flows. Turbulent premixed flames and their applications. Use of heat generated by combustion. Introduction to detonations
The balance laws of mass and of energy and the physico-chemical calculations are the objects of exercises and laboratory experiments. In these experiments emphasis is placed upon the phenomenology of combustion, control methods and diagnostics and upon operating methods
Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

  • Course lectures
  • Session of exercises
  • Laboratory: Operation of a domestic natural-gas boiler and analysis of its combustion efficiency.
  • Lectures in the classroom or mixed (classrooms with simultaneous broadcasting on Teams) depending on the pandemic conditions
Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Written exam, with open books and notes.
  • The score on the laboratory report counts for 25% of the overall score.
  • The score on the written exam counts for 75% of the overall grade.
  • We maintain the right to ask a student for an oral exam in case of technical problems or suspicion of fraude.
Bibliography
  • M.V. Papalexandris, Combustion and Fuels, Presses Universitaires de Louvain, 2020. Mandatory. Available at DUC, Grand-Rue 2/14, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
  • S.R. Turns, Introduction to Combustion, Mc Graw Hill, 2000. Recommended
  • K.K. Kuo, Principles of Combustion, John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2005. Recommended
Teaching materials
  • Instructions for the laboratory and user's manual of the experimental facility (in English and French), available on the moodle site of the course.
  • Laboratory project, available on the moodle site of the course.
Faculty or entity
MECA
Force majeure
Teaching methods
If, due to a force majeure, the classes cannot take place in the campus, then the classes will take place on line via the platform Teams.
Evaluation methods
If, due to a force majeure, the examination cannot take place in the campus, then it will take place online, via the platform Teams. The material for the exam will consist of all the material that was covered in class (either in campus or online). It will be a written exam with exercises and open questions, with open notes and books. The students will be asked to turn on their webcams for purposes of sureyance.
Reminder.
  • The score on the laboratory report counts for 25% of the overall score.
  • The score on the written exam counts for 75% of the overall grade.
  • We maintain the right to ask a student for an oral exam in case of technical problems or suspicion of fraud.


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Master [120] in Electro-mechanical Engineering

Master [120] in Mechanical Engineering