CANCELLED Electrochemical Energy Conversion (2023)

Description: This PhD course is an introduction to electrochemical energy conversion with a focus on fuel cell technology (gas to power) and electrolyzer technology (power to gas). In detail, it will provide 

  • An introduction to the thermodynamics of electrochemical energy conversion. 
  • An overview of the different types of fuel cells and elecytrolyzers and their materials. 
  • An introduction of the different ways of modeling of electrochemical devices and systems. 
  • A familiarity with the different experimental methods to test and characterize electrochemical energy converters. 

As the conclusion of the course, an attendee will be well prepared to understand and follow more sophisticated state-of-the-art literature in this field, to be able to understand simple (zero-dimensional) models of fuel cell systems using software such as EES and know the benefits and drawbacks of advanced (multi-dimensional) models of the fluid flow in electrochemical devices that employ the methods of computational fluid dynamics. The attendee will also have an overview of the various experimental methods that can be employed to test electrochemical devices. This PhD course is aimed at recent graduates, professional engineers, and the likes. 

  • Day 1: Thermodynamics of electro-chemical energy conversion, Different types of fuel cells and water electrolyzers.  Lecturers: Torsten Berning, Vincenzo Liso. 8h. 
  • Day 2: Fuel cell and electrolyzer components, fuel cell and electrolyzer modeling.  Lecturers: Vincenzo Liso, Samuel Araya. 8h. 
  • Day 3: Experimental methods in theory and practice: Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, hot wire anemometry, Cyclic Voltammetry, Neutron Radiography.  Lecturers: Samuel Araya, Søren Jensen. 8h. 
  • Day 4: Industrial perspectives: Current and future challenges. A visit by or from a local fuel cell manufacturer.  Lecturers: Søren Jensen, Torsten Berning. 4h. 

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge in thermodynamics and modeling methods such as Engineering Equation Solver (EES) and/or the methods of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). 

Evaluation: The groups of students will present the theoretical exercises and discuss their experimental results on the last day of the course. Questions will be asked by the teachers to individual students during the presentation. Evaluation will be “passed” or “failed”. 

Literature:  

  1. R. O’Hayre, S.-W. Cha, W. Colella, F. B. Prinz: Fuel Cell Fundamentals, 3rd ed., Wiley, 2016. 
  2. F. Barbir: PEM Fuel Cells - Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Elsevier, 2012.  
  3. D. Bessarabov, H. Wang, H. Li, N. Zhao: PEM Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production: Principles and Applications, CRC Press 2015.
  4. S. Lvov: Introduction to Electrochemical Science and Engineering. 

Organizer:     Associate Professor Torsten Berning, tbe@energy.aau.dk

Lecturers:      Associate Professor Torsten Berning, Aalborg University
                       Associate Professor Vincenzo Liso, Aalborg University
                       Associate Professor Samuel Araya, Aalborg University
                       Associate professor Søren Højgaard Jensen, Aalborg University

ECTS:               4.0

Date/Time:   23-26 May 2023

Deadline        1 May 2023

Price: 6000 DKK for PhD students outside of Denmark and 8000 DKK for the Industry excl. VAT
The Danish universities have entered into an agreement that allows PhD students at a Danish university (except Copenhagen Business School) the opportunity to free of charge take a subject-specific course at another Danish university.

Payment: A Online link will be annonced after deadline for registration 

Place:              AAU Energy, Aalborg

Max no. of participants:    25

Important information concerning PhD courses: We have over some time experienced problems with no-show for both project and general courses. It has now reached a point where we are forced to take action. Therefore, the Doctoral School has decided to introduce a no-show fee of DKK 3.000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start. This can hopefully also provide new students a chance to register for courses during the year. We look forward to your registrations.