Course syllabus for Heat and power systems engineering

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameVärme- och kraftverkssystem
  • CodeMEN120
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPSES
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyEnergy and Environmental Systems and Technology, Chemical Engineering with Engineering Physics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
  • DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 39136
  • Maximum participants70 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0198 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH
7.5 c
  • 29 Okt 2024 am J
  • 08 Jan 2025 am J
  • 22 Aug 2025 am J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Engineering thermodynamics and heat transfer, energy conversion, energy technology.

Aim

The purpose of this course is to give students a good insight into power plant engineering. The course focuses on production of heat and electric power in thermal power plants. Students will also get a overview on how such plants fit into the energy system, including aspects on distribution of heat and electricity as well as principles of the electricity market. After completing the course, students will be able to perform a thorough analysis of the efficiency and environmental performance of a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, as required for making investment decisions regarding construction of a greenfield CHP plant within a district heating system. In addition, students will be able to use a state-of-the-art process simulation tool to evaluate the performance of thermal power plants.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

At the end of this course, students should be able to analyse and evaluate new heat and power plants. After completing the course, students will be aware of the technological options and environmental problems and opportunities associated with these options. The main generic skills developed within this course include the ability to apply thermodynamics to thermal processes for heat and electric power generation and to analyse opportunities for investment in a new CHP plant in an existing energy system. Specific learning outcomes are:
  • To know the main technological options for generation of heat and electric power, including both existing technologies as well as new technologies in the development stage
  • To be able to perform thermodynamic analysis of thermal power plants in different design modes
  • To be able to analyze the environmental impact from different types of power plants and to know which cleaning technologies to apply
  • To be able to use a state-of-the-art process simulation tool in order to establish the process flowsheet schematic of a CHP plant and to determine the performance of the plant.

Content

The course focuses on power plant engineering for conversion and distribution of heat and electric power. The emphasis is on the performance and design of thermal power plants, which is motivated by the dominance of such plants in the present energy system as well as their anticipated dominance in the future. The current and future development of thermal plants is thus one of the focal points in the course including enhancement of efficiency, emission reduction including carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. The cogeneration principle, which provides the possibility for a high utilization of the supplied chemical energy, is also treated in detail in the course. Exercises will be given which train the student in design principles for a modern thermal power plants in both condensing and CHP mode. The course includes a large case study project. The case study includes detailed design of the CHP plant with respect to process flowsheet schematic. The process simulation tool Ebsilon is used for design and analysis of the CHP plant.

Organisation

The course is based on lectures (around 15 2-hour lectures) and a case study project conducted as a group exercise. The lectures comprise theoretic and engineering backgrounds in thermal power plant engineering, but also material related to power plant economy. The case study includes thermodynamic modeling of different types of thermal power plants. The course includes a compulsory field study to one of the modeling objects: a state-of-the-art combined heat and power plant.

Literature

Khartchenko, N. V. Advanced Energy Systems, Taylor & Francis, Washington, 1998. This book will be provided by the department (as a loan).
Lecture OHs and related material
Case study project description

Examination including compulsory elements

Approved written report and oral presentation for the Case Study project together with a passed written examination are required for grade 3 (Pass). Grade 4 or 5 requires achieving corresponding grades in the written examination.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.