4 ECTS credits
100 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4016353FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculteit Ingenieurswetenschappen
Department
Applied Mechanics
Educational team
Julien Blondeau (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
34 contact hours Lecture
6 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

Lecture:
The course is an introduction to the world of Thermal Power Generation. The role of Thermal Generation in the Electricity supply, as well as the interfaces with the grids and the market are shortly described. A technical description of the different types of power plants is given. Coal, gas, biomass, waste  and nuclear power plants are described (the description of a nuclear reactor and reactor physics ar not included). Special attention is given to the environmental impact and the methods to reduce the flue gas emissions of thermal power plants. A specific chapter deals with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). For all items the intention of the course is to give the evolution and to describe as well the technology from today, as the one that will be used tomorrow. Reference to constructors and cost elements are given. 

  • Economic aspects of Power Generation
  • Context: the electricity landscape
  • Thermal electricity generation and types of Power Plants
  • solid fuels-fired: grate-fired / pulverized-fuel / CFB
  • Gas-fired: gas turbines / CCGT 
  • Nuclear
  • Cooling circuits
  • Process control
  • Environmental aspects:
    • regulations
    • Primary NOx reduction, DeNOx, DeSOx, De-dusting, Mercury
  • Cost aspects

Practical exercise:
In the practical exercise sessions students solve problems under supervision.
The selected problems are direct applications of knowledge and concepts gained in the lectures.

Visits:
At least one thermal power plant will be visited. 

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Thermal Power Plants, Slides shared via a Dropbox, Dropbox
Practical course material (Recommended) : See lists of reference books shared during the course
Additional info

Tutoring: after class, by appointment or via e-mail.

There will be at least one visit to a power plant. All students are required to attend the plant visit(s).

The use of generative AI is forbidden during the preparation of the oral exam.

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

At the end of the course, the students will be able to:

- Explain the design and the operation of thermal power generation technologies, as well as their future challenges, and link these aspects to basic thermodynamic concepts.

- Carry out basic calculations related to the design of thermal power plant equipments;

- Set up a plan for a feasibility study related to a new power plant or a retrofit project.

 

Knowledge oriented competences

Having in-depth knowledge and understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering.

Knowledge oriented competences

Having in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced methods and theories to schematize and model complex problems or processes.

Knowledge oriented competences

Having a broad scientific knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to design, produce and maintain complex mechanical, electrical and/or energy systems with a focus on products, systems and services. E.g. codepo project, courses around renewable sustainable mobility,...

Knowledge oriented competences

Having an in-depth understanding of safety standards and rules with respect to mechanical, electrical and energy systems.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 80% of the final mark.
PRAC Report determines 20% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • mond. exam with a relative weight of 3 which comprises 80% of the final mark.

Within the PRAC Report category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Report on exercise sesion with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Oral exam with written preparation: 100%, or  80% if the exercise has a positive influence.
Solution to the exercise during the exercise session: 20%, if it has a positive influence.

The use of generative AI is forbidden during the preparation of the oral exam.

 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Electromechanical Engineering: Energy (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Electromechanical Engineering: Energy