 | | |
| CHIM0664-1 | Combustible batteries and micro-batteries
|
|
| Duration : | 15h Th, 15h Pr |
|
| Number of credits : |
|
|
| Lecturer : | Nathalie Job |
|
Language(s) of instruction :
|
| French language |
|
Course contents :
|
| Although entitled « (Micro)Fuel Cells », the course deals not only with the functioning and engineering of fuel cells (FCs) but also with that of other electrochemical devices like batteries and supercapacitors. The systems studied are commercial ones as well as systems under development at the laboratory scale.
The course contains six distinct chapters :
1- Introduction : brief restatement of the context, history and development perspectives of FCs, batteries and supercapacitors ;
2- General electrochemistry - systems under reversible functioning : (re)statement of fundamental concepts of electrochemistry (redox reactions, electrochemical cells, standard and non-standard electromotive force) and thermodynamics (thermodynamics applied to reversible electrochemical systems) ;
3- Description of electrochemical cells : working principles of primary and secondary electrochemical cells, fuel cells, capacitors and supercapacitors, and comparison of the application domains of these systems ;
4- Cells under real operating conditions: yields, voltage-current relationship, overpotentials, specific ase of PEM fuel cells, methods for the characterization of isolated elements and systems under operating conditions ;
5- Fuel management : hydrogen (production, storage, supply), natural gas, others ;
6- Security of hydrogen handling : hydrogen properties, risks, standards and regulations. |
|
Learning outcomes of the course :
|
| After this course, the student will be able to :
1- detail the functioning principles of electrochemical systems, in particular fuel cells but also batteries and supercapacitors ;
2- identify and explain the yield loss sources (limitations) existing in electrochemical systems under real operation conditions ;
3- identify the advantages/difficulties of each studied electrochemical system (FCs, batteries, (super)capacitors), the associated costs and possibilities of improvement ;
4- identify the risks linked to synthesis, storage and use of fuels used in electrochemical devices;
5- realize the complete electrochemical characterization of a PEM fuel cell or a Li-ion battery on test bench. |
|
Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
|
| The course relies on basic concepts in physics and chemistry.
Since the literature search realized during the preparation of the oral presentation (see "planned learning activities") is based on English documents (review articles, reference book chapters), the student should have reading skills in English corresponding at least to the course taught in Bachelor 1 (LANG0038-1). |
|
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
|
| The course is based (i) on lectures (15 h), (ii) on laboratory practical (8 h) and (iii) on a personal literature search regarding a precise subject related to electrochemical engineering. The literature search is used as basis to prepare a talk to be presented to the other students. These talks are summarized in short written reports.
Laboratory practical deals with the electrochemical characterization of PEM fuel cells or Li-ion batteries. Measurements performed on test benches are used to calculate various operating parameters of the systems.
These various sources of information are complementary and only their combination makes the course fully consistent.
Since the course is usually chosen by small number of students, interaction with the teacher during lessons and practical activities remain the privileged way of exchanging information and solving specific problems. |
|
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
|
| Face-to-face lectures. Compulsory presence at the laboratory sessions. Literature search and preparation of the oral presentation: free schedule. |
|
Recommended or required readings :
|
| Slides used during the lectures are accessible to students.
Reports prepared by the students as a complement to their oral presentation are forwarded to the whole group and are part of the course (after possible remarks or corrections by the teacher). |
|
Assessment methods and criteria :
|
| An oral exam takes place in June and September.
Based on open questions, the evaluation focuses on the deep understanding of fundamental concepts learned during the course and on the solving of problems similar to those encountered during practical work (calculation of operating parameters of electrochemical systems from experimentally measured data).
The final evaluation is based on the oral exam, on the personal work done by the student (literature search and talk) and on the active participation to laboratory practice. In case of failure, no partial exemption is granted for the next examination. |
|
Organizational remarks :
|
| Lectures take place on Wednesday afternoon during the second semester. |
|
Contacts :
|
| Dr. Nathalie Job
Department of Applied Chemistry
Chemical Engineering - Catalytic Engineering
B6a
Tel: 04/366.35.37 - Nathalie.Job@ulg.ac.be |
|
