Through the systematic application of the principles of thermo-fluid-dynamics to energy conversion systems and their components, the module provides the students with the ability not only to choose engines and engineering-plant solutions in relation to their applications, but also to approach and solve specific design problems by integrating the concepts acquired through the module with advanced notions on related topics. The subject gives the elements to face and individually solve specific problems for the design and control of hydraulic and thermal machines. It also provides the basic knowledge to study and deepen the issues for specialist employment of fluid flow machines.

The knowledge acquired through the subjects of Hydraulic and Thermal Machines Fundamentals is required, along with the basic notions of Thermodynamics and Thermokinetics, Applied Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics.

- Principles of energy conversion; thermodynamics of fluid-flow machines and energy systems. - Heating values and their application to thermodynamic analysis of combustion. Constant-volume and constant-pressure combustion in ideal and real processes; combustion in steady-state flows. - Gas compressors: performance characteristics, instability of the working conditions, surge and stall; control in the turbo-compressor. - Displacement compressors: reciprocating piston compressor, sliding vane compressor, Roots blower: constitution, performance and control. - Hydraulic turbines; hydraulic pumps. Fluid-flow similarity and characteristic curves. Control in pumps. Parallel and series connection of dynamic pumps to piping system. Pump cavitation, allowable suction head and permissible suction lift. - Positive displacement pumps and motors; torque hydrostatic transmissions; hydraulic joints and hydrodynamic converters - Organization of multistage steam turbines. - Off-design performance analysis of blades. Evaluation and representation of the operational range of a turboexpander. - Turbine performance map of a turbomachinery and simplified formulas for its evaluation; consumption characteristics. - Control methods for steam turbines. Operational range of back pressure and extraction steam turbines. - Gas turbine plants; analysis of ideal and actual cycles; effects of operating variables on the efficiency of the gas-turbine cycle; schemes to improve cycle efficiency. Combined power plants and cogeneration plants. - Performance characteristics of a gas turbine; control in gas turbine plants and in cogeneration plants. - Internal combustion engines: cycle analysis with ideal gas working fluid; fuel-air cycle analysis; actual engine cycles; valve-timing and valve-lift diagrams; power output, mechanical efficiency, volumetric efficiency and engine operating parameters; correction factors for power and volumetric efficiency; control characteristic and WOT mechanical characteristic for SI and CI engines. Turbocharging the internal combustion engines. - Exhaust emissions of ICEs. Overview of emission formation mechanisms: formation of CO and oxide nitrogen. Regulation framework of ICE emissions.

APPLIED LECTURES PROGRAMME The classroom training consists in solving exercises and practical problems by applying the concepts covered in the lectures. The aim of training is to give the students the order of magnitude of the main parameters and to improve their degree of understanding. LABORATORY: guided tour of the Fluid Machinery Laboratory.

a) reference books: - A.E. Catania, Complementi di Macchine, Ed. Levrotto & Bella, Torino, 1979. - G. Ferrari, Motori a combustione interna, Il Capitello, 1995. - G. Lozza, Turbine a gas e cicli combinati, Progetto Leonardo, 2007. b) Notes available c/o il Centro Stampa del Politecnico: - A.E. Catania, Turbocompressori, ACSV (Appunti dai Corsi Seminariali di Vercelli), Ed. CGVCU (Comitato per la Gestione in Vercelli dei Corsi Universitari), 1990. - A.E. Catania, Compressori volumetrici, ACSV, Ed. CGVCU, 1991. - A.E. Catania, Turbine idrauliche, ACSV, Ed. CGVCU, 1992. - A. Mittica, Turbomacchine idrauliche operatrici, ACV, Ed. CGVCU, 1994.

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Computer-based written test using the PoliTo platform;

The exam aims at verify the following students capabilities: 1) to select a proper machine in a certain plant context; 2) to select the proper plant typology for energy production; 3) to evaluate the performance of the machine/plant in design and off-design operative conditions. The exam consists of a written and, eventually, in an oral part. Written test (110 minutes): it is divided in two parts. First part (30/30): the student has to provide the answers to 10 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The MCQs refer to the topics dealt within the theory of the course and some might require the solution of short numerical problems. A correct answer sums up to 3 points and the score of the corresponding answers are organised so that: +3 points are achieved if all of the correct answers are selected; 0 points are achieved if no answer or all the answers are selected; -3 points are achieved if all of the wrong answers are selected. When a mix of wrong and correct answers is selected, the obtained points are evaluated by giving to any answer a weight in accordance to the rules above defined. Second Part (30/30): there are 2 numerical exercises related to plants or fluid machines studied during the lectures. Each exercise contributes with the same weight to the final evaluation of the written part (15/30 for each exercise). The final mark is determined as the arithmetic average of the results obtained for the first and second part. The exam will be passed when: - The first part is passed with a mark higher or equal to 12/30; - The second part is passed with a mark higher or equal to 12/30; - The final mark (arithmetic average of the first and second part) is higher or equal to 18/30. The maximum mark is 30/30. The exam evaluation "cum laude" is eventually provided after the oral exam. During the written test students can use a scientific calculator, the Mollier diagram for water steam, the tables for the saturated vapour of water. Furthermore, the student can use a A4 paper with formulas that has to be composed by the student himself. Oral Exam: the oral exam is at the sole discretion of the exam board. The board will select the students that are supposed to sit the exam depending on the outcome of the written part as well as on the Lockdown Browser feedbacks and REGARDLESS of the mark. If so, the final mark will be a proper weighted average between the outcomes of the written part and of the oral test.

Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam;

The exam aims at verify the following students capabilities: 1) to select a proper machine in a certain plant context; 2) to select the proper plant typology for energy production; 3) to evaluate the performance of the machine/plant in design and off-design operative conditions. The exam consists of a written and a mandatory oral exam. Written test (130 minutes - 30/30): there are 2 numerical exercises related to plants or fluid machines studied during the lectures. Each exercise contributes with the same weight to the final evaluation of the written part (15/30 for each exercise). During the written test students can use a scientific calculator, the Mollier diagram for water steam, the tables for the saturated vapour of water. Furthermore, the student can use a A4 paper with formulas that has to be composed by the student himself. Oral Exam (30/30): the oral exam is mandatory and the student can sit for it only when the final mark of the written test is higher or equal to 12/30. The oral exam involves a discussion about all the topics of the course lectures and applied lectures. The final mark is determined as the arithmetic average of the results obtained in the written and oral exam. The exam will be passed when: - The written part is passed with a mark higher or equal to 12/30; - The oral part is passed with a mark higher or equal to 12/30; - The final mark (arithmetic average between the marks of the written and oral exam) is higher or equal to 18/30. The maximum mark is 30/30. The exam evaluation "cum laude" is provided when the student passes both the written and oral exam with a mark of 30/30.