This course focuses in the thermal design and optimization of energy systems and components with the twofold objective to improve efficiency and reduce the investment and operating costs. The course is oriented towards applications and it is based on lectures, practical exercises developed in class and practices developed at the computer. In lessons the techniques for modeling energy components and plants are discussed, together with advanced methods for their analysis, such as pinch analysis, exergy analysis and thermoeconomic analysis. At the end of the course, the student will be able to analyse thermal systems and components as well as to identify the opportunities for improving energy and economic performances acting on the variables referred to geometry, design and configuration, and optimize components and systems. During practices in class, some applications will be developed in order to allow the student to become familiar with the various techniques. A relevant part of the course is devoted to project team working using commercial software for the analysis of thermal systems and components.

At the end of this course, students are expected to know the techniques for design, analysis and optimization of thermal systems and their components from the energy and economic point of view: exergy and thermoeconomic analysis, estimation of cost of components and plants, fundamental of financial mathematics and discounted cash flow analysis, process integration and pinch analysis, single and multi-objective optimization, design improvement, entropy generation minimization. Acquire the ability to correctly apply these methodologies to thermal systems and their components.

Engineering thermodynamics and heat transfer.

Introduction to the course. Brief analysis of the energy scenarios and the role of research in energy systems, with particular emphasis on the application to industrial plants. Role of the process integration, optimization and design improvement of energy conversion systems. Characteristics of an optimization problem. Optimization techniques: direct and indirect optimization, heuristic optimization (9 h lesson). Simulation of energy components: continuum mechanics; overview of continuity, momentum and energy equations; meaning of the terms in the equations; boundary and initial conditions. Optimal design of components. Entropy generation minimization. Application to an energy conversion component (12 h lesson + 9 h lab). Exergy analysis. Development of the exergy balance equation. The reference environment. Calculation of physical and chemical exergy. Uses of exergy analysis for the design improvement of energy plants. Applications of the exergy analysis. Exergy cost. Exergo-economic cost balance. Evaluation of the total investment cost of a thermal plant. Cost functions of components. Fundamentals of financial mathematics. Discounted cash flow analysis. Current and constant currency assumptions. Investment assessment of energy systems: applications to renewable power plants. Process of cost formation of products in a thermal plant. Design improvement methodology. Possible interventions for increasing the rational utilization of the resources. Detection of the main components to be optimized in design and/or operation. (30 h lesson + 12 h practice + 12 h lab). Pinch analysis method. Analysis of productive processes and determination of productive constraints. Definition of the main streams and graphical construction of the composite curves. Definition of the minimum temperature difference; thermodynamic and economic implications. Graphical calculation of the pinch point. Analytical calculation of the pinch point. Representation of a heat exchanger network. Rules for the design of the heat exchanger network corresponding to the minimum energy needs. Application of the pinch analysis to production plants and energy conversion systems (10 h lesson + 5 h practice).

The course in organized with theoretical lessons, practices in class and practices in lab. During lessons the techniques for modeling energy components and plants are discussed, together with advanced methods for their analysis, such as pinch analysis, exergy analysis and thermoeconomic analysis. During practices in class, some applications will be developed in order to allow the student to become familiar with the various techniques. A relevant part of the course is devoted to project team working using commercial software for the analysis of thermal systems and components. Specific modeling tools for the solution of applications will be introduced during lab activities scheduled in the framework of the course.

Teaching material provided by the teacher. Textbook: Verda, Guelpa. Metodi termodinamici per l’uso efficiente delle risorse energetiche. Esculapio.

Dispense;

Modalità di esame: Prova scritta (in aula);

Exam: Written test;

... Exam: written test; group project; The final mark is composed by the written test for 24/30 and for 6/30 by the group project. The written test is composed by two parts: - two exercizes, one on exergy and thermoeconomic analysis and one on pinch analysis. This part aims at evaluating the ability of the student to apply the analysis techniques presented during lessons and practices in class. – some questions focused on the theoretical aspects and the analysis techniques presented during the course. This part aims at evaluating specific knowledge acquired during the course and not evaluable through numerical exercizes. The two exercizes have a value of about 9/24 each, while the questions overall contribute for 6/24 to the final mark. The written exam lasts 3 hours.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.