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MECH ENG 7021 - Combustion Technology & Emissions Control

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

The course covers the basics of thermal energy technologies that are common not only to combustion, but also to high temperature solar thermal production of fuels and commodities. The transition of our energy systems from their present 80% reliance on fossil fuels to increasing fractions of renewable energy including biomass, waste and concentrating solar thermal, is driven by the need to mitigate CO2 emissions and is expected to take around 50 years. Managing this change brings many technical challenges, since any change in fuel composition or energy mix will influence the design of the combustion system, fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. The course will equip the participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to address these challenges. It covers the understanding, analysis and design of modern combustion systems to account for fuel properties, maximise output and minimise air pollution. Combustion involves both mixing of the fuel and oxidant and the subsequent chemical reactions. The course therefore involves consideration of both combustion aerodynamics and fuel properties. It covers fuel selection, alternative and waste fuels, the design principals involved in reducing pollutant emissions, modelling and safety.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MECH ENG 7021
    Course Combustion Technology & Emissions Control
    Coordinating Unit School of Mechanical Engineering
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment assignments, project, final exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Bassam Dally

    The course lecturers are all international leaders in their fields and active members of the University’s leading Centre for Energy Technology - visit and follow the links to home pages of the individual staff. The lecturers combine leading experience both in the practice and development of combustion technology and other energy-related systems.

    A brief summary of the background of the participating staff is as follows:

    Professor Graham ‘Gus’ Nathan School of Mechanical Engineering

    Director, Centre for Energy Technology

    Leader of the research team that developed the Gyrotherm low NOx kiln burner, supported by three patents, each accepted internationally; Joint leader in development of Sydney Olympic Torch burner and a wide range of other ceremonial flame systems

    Published extensively in international journals and consulted widely to many industries spanning cement, lime, alumina, steel and power generation

    Assoc Prof Zeyad Alwahabi School of Chemical Engineering

    Specialist in the development and application of advanced measurement techniques for combustion systems, where he collaborates with Lund University, Sweden;

    Published extensively in international journals; Led the development of the Virtual combustion laboratory

    Assoc Prof Peter Ashman School of Chemical Engineering

    Co-Deputy Director, Centre for Energy Technology

    Director, South Australian Coal Research Laboratory

    Specialist in the use of solid fuels, such as coal, biomass and micro-algae;

    Leader of a range of research programs spanning coal-to-liquids, coal gasification and extraction of fuel from micro-algae

    Published extensively in international journals and consulted widely to industry; A national award winning teacher

    Dr Paul Medwell School of Mechanical Engineering

    Specialist researcher in the application of laser diagnostics for combustion;

    Specialist in MILD combustion (Flameless oxidation)

    Published extensively in international journals

    Assoc Prof Peter Mullinger School of Chemical Engineering

    Founder and former director of leading combustion company, FCT-Combustion (www.fctinternational.com)

    Lead author on text book for the course;

    Widely experienced in the practice and design of combustion systems and the development of novel combustion technology

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On completion of the course, students should:

    1 Understand the ongoing role of combustion, both of fossil and bio-fuels, in providing a more sustainable energy source for society, and the environmental challenges to be met to achieve this.
    2 Have a sound understanding of the principles of combustion;
    3 Understand the complexities of industrial combustion processes,
    4 Have a basic understanding of the mechanisms of combustion generated air pollution and the techniques that can be used to control them;
    5 Have a basic understanding of the complementary roles of measurements, modelling and scaling in understanding combustion, and in solving industrial problems;
    6 Have a basic understanding of the safety and handling issues associated with combustion;
    7 Be aware of the impact of different fuel properties on industrial combustion systems;
    8 Have a sound understanding of the responsibility of engineers to the community in terms of providing a safe healthy environment;
    9 Understand the need for lifelong learning.


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-7
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-8
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3-8
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3,5,6,8
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 5,6,7
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 8,9
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 8,9
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 4,9
  • Learning Resources
    Recommended Resources

    The following texts are highly relevant and strongly recommended, but are not followed directly:

    S.R. Turns “An Introduction to Combustion”, McGraw Hill,

    PJ Mullinger and B.G. Jenkins “Design and Operation of Industrial and Process Furnaces”, Elsevier (This book is available as an e-book, via the Barr Smith library, for students enrolled at the 成人大片. 

    Online Learning

    Copies of all presentations will be made available after each lecture

    Supplementary material for the design project will be provided

    Links to public lectures and seminars from the Environment Institute will be provided

    A range of other material is available via MyUni

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    The course is heavily biased toward practical tools, with 15 hours of tutorials, 6 hours of laboratory work and a 2 hour tour, compared with 21 hours of lectures. It is centred around a Design Project, which designs the combustion system for a rotary cement kiln and includes undertaking a mass and enegy balances to size the burner and a momentum-based mixing parameter. The tour is of a large and leading cement plant to provide insight into the facility being designed by students in the classroom. The lectures are structured to provide relevant input to the design process. The virtual combustion laboratory is a unique learning tool developed by the lecturing staff, in which the user can assess the effect on the performance of a flame of varying the fuel flow rate based on real-flame data recorded in our laboratories and presented in an interactive format. This is linked to the lectures on premixed and non-premixed flames.

    In addition to the marked assignments, three other tutorials are provided that are not examined.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The course is heavily biased toward practical tools, with 15 hours of tutorials, 6 hours of laboratory work and a 2 hour tour, compared with 21 hours of lectures. It is centred around a Design Project, which designs the combustion system for a rotary cement kiln and includes undertaking a mass and enegy balances to size the burner and a momentum-based mixing parameter. The tour is of a large and leading cement plant to provide insight into the facility being designed by students in the classroom. The lectures are structured to provide relevant input to the design process. The virtual combustion laboratory is a unique learning tool developed by the lecturing staff, in which the user can assess the effect on the performance of a flame of varying the fuel flow rate based on real-flame data recorded in our laboratories and presented in an interactive format. This is linked to the lectures on premixed and non-premixed flames.

    In addition to the marked assignments, three other tutorials are provided that are not examined.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    Specific Course Requirements

    Long-sleeves, long pants and closed toe shoes are a requirement for the industrial tour. Students should be aware that they will be walking through a dusty plant, so that strong work-shoes or work-boots are recommended and one should avoid wearing “best” white or polished shoes if you want them to remain in their original state.

    Buses will be provided and students must nominate for the early or late time option. Details will be provided in the lectures.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    • Kiln Design Project: 25%,

    • Assignments 3 @ 3.33% 10%

    • Virtual Combustion Lab 2 @ 5% 10%

    • Final Exam 55%

    Assessment Related Requirements

    Tutorials are considered to be compulsory. Whether or not students have submitted each assignment will be considered strongly in assessing marks which are border-line between grade options (e.g. border-line pass/fail or credit/distinction).

    Assessment Detail
    Details on the assessment tasks will be provided
    Submission
    • Stoich. & Thermo. Assignment end of week 4

    • Flames Assignment end of week 6

    • VCL 2 due end of week 9

    • Kiln Design Project due end of week 10

    • VCL 3 due end of week 11

    • Measurement Assignment end of week 11

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through .

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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