Renewable and Clean Energy

RCL 507. Matls Adv Enrg Apps. 3 Hours

MATERIALS ADVANCED ENERGY APPS - Various advanced energy technologies (AMTEC, Fuel Cells, Thermoelectrics, Nuclear, etc.) will be discussed with an emphasis on the role that materials have/will play in their development. Critical 'bottlenecks' in materials development delaying the introduction of new advanced energy systems will be identified. In addition, how material selections are made based on operational system environments in 'real world' scenarios will be presented.

RCL 511. Adv Thermodynamics. 3 Hours

ADVANCED THERMODYNAMICS - Equilibrium, first law, second law, state principle, and zeroth law; development of entropy and temperature from availability concepts; chemical potential, chemical equilibrium, and phase equilibrium. Thermodynamics of irreversible processes; Onsager reciprocal relations; application of these concepts to direct energy conversion.

RCL 524. Electrochemical Power. 3 Hours

ELECTROCHEMICAL POWER - The course will cover fundamental as well as engineering aspects of fuel cell technology. Specifically, the course will cover basic principles of electrochemistry, electrical conductivity (electronic and ionic) of solids, and development/design of major fuel cells (alkaline, polymer electrolyte, phosphoric acid, molten carbonate, and solid oxide). A major part of the course will focus on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), as it is emerging to be dominant among various fuel cell technologies. The SOFC can readily and safely use many common hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas, diesel, gasoline, alcohol, and coal gas. Prerequisite(s): (MEE 301, MEE 312) or permission of instructor.

RCL 533. Biofuel Prod Procs. 3 Hours

BIOFUEL PRODUCTION PROCS - This course will provide an overview of the range of fuels derived from biological materials and processes, with a focus on anaerobic digestion, bioethanol and biodiesel and production of synethetic fuel from biological materials. The course will include an overview of the biochemistry of energy production in biological systems, discussions of the economics and environmental sustainability of biofuels, and a review of reactor and separation systems concepts relevant to biofuel production. Prerequisite(s): EGR 202, CHM 123, or consent of instructor.

RCL 550. RCL Project. 1-6 Hours

RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY PROJECT - Student participation in an energy related design, or development project under the direction of a project advisor. The student must show satisfactory progress as determined by the project advisor and must present a written report at the conclusion of the project.

RCL 568. Internl Combust Engn. 3 Hours

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES - Study of combustion and energy release processes. Applications to spark and compression ignition, jet, rocket, and gas turbine engines. Special emphasis given to understanding of air pollution problems caused by internal combustion engines. Idealized and actual cycles are studied in preparation for laboratory testing of internal combustion engines.

RCL 569. Energy Effcnt Bldgs. 3 Hours

ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS - Provides knowledge and skills necessary to design and operate healthier, more comfortable, more productive, and less environmentally destructive buildings; A specific design target of E/3 (typical energy use divided by three) is established as a goal. Economic, thermodynamic, and heat transfer analyses are utilized. Extensive software development. Prerequisite(s): MEE 410.

RCL 571. Desgn of Thermal Sys. 3 Hours

DESIGN OF THERMAL SYSTEMS - Integration of thermodynamics, heat transfer, engineering economics, and simulation and optimization techniques in a design framework. Topics include design methodology, energy analysis, heat exchanger networks, thermal-system simulation, and optimization techniques.

RCL 572. Desgn for Environmnt. 3 Hours

DESIGN FOR ENVIRONMENT - Emphasis on design for environment over the life cycle of a product or process, including consideration of mining, processing, manufacturing, use, and post-life stages. Course provides knowledge and experience in invention for the purpose of clean design, life cycle assessment strategies to estimate the environmental impact of products and processes, and cleaner manufacturing practices. Course includes a major design project.

RCL 573. Renewble Energy Sys. 3 Hours

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS - Introduction to the impact of energy on the economy and environment. Engineering models of solar thermal and photovoltaic systems. Introduction to wind power. Fuel cells and renewable sources of hydrogen. Corequisite(s): MEE 410 or equivalent.

RCL 578. Energy Eff Manufact. 3 Hours

ENERGY EFFICIENT MANUFACTURING - This course presents a systematic approach for improving energy efficiency in the manufacturing sector. Current patterns of manufacturing energy use, the need for increased energy efficiency, and models for sustainable manufacturing are reviewed. The lean-energy paradigm is applied to identify energy efficiency opportunities in industrial electrical, lighting, space conditioning, motor drive, compressed air, process heating, process cooling, and combined heat and power systems. Prerequisite(s): EGR 202, MEE 410.

RCL 583. Adv Photovoltaics. 3 Hours

ADV PHOTOVOLTAICS - This theoretical course will cover science and applications of photovoltaics, with special emphasis on inorganic and organic semiconductors, ferroelectrics, chalcopyrites, metamaterials, and quantum structures. Prerequisite(s): ECE 506 or permission of instructor.

RCL 590. Spec Probs in RCL. 1-6 Hours

SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY - Special problems in a designated area of energy systems arranged and approved by the student's faculty advisor and the departmental chair.

RCL 595. RCL Project. 1-6 Hours

RCL PROJECT - Student participation in an energy related design or development project under the direction of a project advisor. The student must show satisfactory progress as determined by the project advisor and must present a written report at the conclusion of the project.

RCL 599. RCL Thesis. 1-6 Hours

RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY THESIS - Original research in energy systems which makes a definite contribution to technical knowledge. Results must be of sufficient importance to merit publication.