Direct Energy Conversion

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Course teacher

Associate teachers

Status of the course

Course objectives

Students will acquire knowledge about possibilities and methods of direct energy conversion. After passing this exam they will be able to select the most useful and suitable energy converter, considering their usage.

Course enrolment requirements and entry competences required for the course

Learning outcomes expected at the level of the course (4 to 10 learning outcomes)

After the successfully passed exam student is able to:
- explain the basic principles of energy conversion
- distinguish between the different possibilities of direct energy conversion
- calculate the effectiveness of each energy converter
- select the most suitable energy converter, considering their usage
- apply the knowledge gained in the development and scientific research in this field of science.

Course content broken down in detail by weekly class schedule (syllabus)

1st week: Introduction in problem of direct energy conversion. Primary energy sources. Limitations in exploitation of energy. State of energy conversion (review).
2nd week: Reasons for direct energy conversion. Principles of energy conversion. Basic definitions and units. Equation for efficiency of conversion.
3rd week: Irreversible thermodynamics. Unique theory of energy converter. Device’s classification. Construction and manufacturing of energy converter and batteries.
4th week: Photoelectric converters. Review principles of radiation. Optical effects at semiconductors and p-n junctions. Application photoelectric effect on p-n junction in solar batteries.
5th week: Thermoelectric converters. Solid state description of thermoelectric effects. Energy relations in thermoelectric converter. Energy relations, efficiency and power of the thermoelectric converter. Criteria for selection of thermoelectric materials. Reliability and application of thermoelectric converters.
6th week: Thermionic converters. Electron work function and surface phenomena. Role of cesium in thermoionic converter. Thermodynamic analysis of thermoionic converter.
7th week: First test. Electrochemical energy conversion. Description of electrochemical system.
8th week: Thermodynamic aspects of electrochemical energy conversion. Factor of efficiency. Primary cells – characteristics.
9th week: Types of primary cells. Leclanche cell. Zinc chloride cell. Alkaline battery. Silver-oxide cell. Lithium cells. Metal-air cells.
10th week: Batteries - characteristics. Lead acid battery. Alkaline systems. Ni-Cd, Ag-Zn, Ni-Zn batteries.
11th week: New battery technologies. Nickel-metal hydride battery. Lithium-ion battery. Lithium polymer battery.
12th week: Fuel cell. Fuel cell as energy converter.
13th week: Classification of fuel cell - Review of realized systems and systems in development. Molten-carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Alkaline fuel cell (AFC). Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC).
14th week: Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Direct-methanol (DMFC) and direct-ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). Regenerative fuel cell (RFC).
15th week: Second test.
Exercises:
Determination of efficiency in thermoelectric generator. Characterization of anode materials for aluminum-air batteries. Current-voltage characteristics of PEM fuel cell. Direct energy conversion of solar radiation into electrical energy. Determination of current capacity of Li-ion battery. Charging of lead acid battery.

Format of instruction:

Student responsibilities

Lecture attendance: 80 %. Laboratory exercises attendance: 100 %.