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151-0224-00L 4 Credits MSC D-MAVT
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Fuel Synthesis Engineering

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Brendan Bulfin
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:41:35

Abstract

This course will include a revision of chemical engineering fundamentals and the basics of processes modelling for fuel synthesis technologies. Using this as a background we will then study a range of fuel production technologies, including established fossil fuel processing and emerging renewable fuel production processes.

Objective

1) Develop an understanding of the fundamentals of chemical process engineering, including chemical thermodynamics, molecular theory and kinetics. 2) Learn to perform basic process modelling using some computational methods in order to analyse fuel production processes. 3) Using the fundamentals as a background, we will study a number of different fuel production processes, both conventional and emerging technologies.

Content

Theory: Chemical equilibrium thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and catalysis. Processes modelling: An introduction to using cantera to model chemical processes. This part of the course includes an optional project, where the student will perform a basic analysis of a natural gas to methanol conversion process. Fuel synthesis topics: Conventional fuel production including oil refinery, upgrading of coal and natural gas, and biofuel. Emerging renewable fuel technologies including the conversion of renewable electricity to fuels via electrolysis, the conversion of heat to fuels via thermochemical cycles, and some other speculative fuel production processes.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Will be available electronically.

Literature

A) Physical Chemistry, 3rd edition, A. Alberty and J. Silbey, 2001 B) Chemical Reaction Engineering, 3rd Edition, Octave Levenspiel, 1999 C) Fundamentals of industrial catalytic processes, C. H. Bartholomew, R. J. Farrauto, 2011;

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
The course incorporates an optional “Learning task” (Lernelement) which can improve the total course unit grade by up to 0.25 grade points. This learning task will involve modelling of chemical processes using the open source software Cantera.The class exam will take place on the final day of class and will be a written 120 min examination.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Fuel Synthesis Engineering
  • Thu 13:15-16:00 (ETZ E 8)
3 h weekly

Offered In