Valid for: 2021/22
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering, LTH
Decided by: PLED M
Date of Decision: 2021-04-13
Main field: Sustainable Energy Engineering.
Compulsory for: MHET1
Elective for: E4, M4-en, M4-tt, W4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English
The objectives of the course are to 1) provide a thorough understanding of the requirements of vehicle propulsion; and 2) different options in terms of vehicle powertrain, that have the potential for near-zero pollutant emissions and defossilization.
Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must
Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must
The course deals with powertrains for vehicles. The expectations are that in a sustainable society, transportation powertrains will be a mix between battery electric, fuel cell, combustion engine and hybrids thereof. The combustion engines would then be powered by renewable fuels produced using sustainable sources. First the coupling between the power requirement of a vehicle and the power produced by the powertrains is explained. Then, the main features of the different powertrains are given, with their pros and cons. Then, a more detailed discussion follows for each of the options.
Being the prime mover in the transport sector, the combustion engine is delt with in more dept. First, a general description of the most common combustion engine types is given. The spark ignition and compression ignition principles are explained and the four stroke cycle is discussed. The combustion process in both the spark ignition and compression ignition engine is presented and ways to reduce pollutant emissions are explained. Challenges to the combustion engine fueled by fossil fuels are discussed after which the engine operation on renewable fuels is investigated together with their potential for lowering pollutant emissions and increasing engine efficiency. A short discussion on renewable fuel origins with opportunities and challenges is also scheduled.
The different configurations for hybrid powertrains are then presented and the criteria for choosing the optimum configurations depending on the application. Plug-in hybrids and range-extended hybrids are discussed. Advantages and challenges for battery electric drive and fuel cells are stated, as well as expected future trends for the different transportation modes (passenger, heavy duty, marine, …).
The course contains lectures, seminars, exercises and laboratory exercises. Normally an industry representative will give an invited lecture.
Grading scale: TH - (U,3,4,5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: Written examination. The final grade is either Fail or one of the passing grades 3, 4 or 5 which normally correspond to 50, 65 and 80% of the maximum number of points respectively. Additionally, approved reports of the mandatory laboratory exercises are necessary to pass the course.
The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.
Assumed prior knowledge: MMVF01 Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics OR KFKA10 Thermodynamics and Surface Chemistry OR FAFA35 Physics - Thermodynamics and Atomic Physics OR FMFF05 Thermodynamics with Applications or equivalent.
The number of participants is limited to: No
The course might be cancelled: If the number of applicants is less than 6.
The course overlaps following course/s: MVKN50
Examinator: Sebastian Verhelst, sebastian.verhelst@energy.lth.se
Course coordinator: Sebastian Verhelst , sebastian.verhelst@energy.lth.se
Course coordinator: Öivind Andersson, oivind.andersson@energy.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.energy.lth.se/english/education/