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Graduating from the Master's specialisation in Process Engineering and Combustion Technology, you will be able to meet the demands posed to the engineers of the future.
The specialisation in Process Engineering and Combustion Technology (PECT) primarily focuses on advanced competences in combustion technology, bio energy systems, fluid mechanics and flow systems, including CFD and multiphase flows. The programme covers energy systems modelling, control and diagnostic of these systems.
The study programmeis multidisciplinary and covers the integration of general engineering disciplines, such as thermal systems, fluid- and aerodynamics, control engineering and electrical engineering.
Teaching takes place in an innovative and dynamic environment. You will experiences courses, problem based project work and a high degree of interaction with industrial partners and energy supply companies. Companies play an active part in the project work, and they provide guest lecturers and arrange company visits for students. All of this provides you with an excellent opportunity to build a network in the industrial world before graduation.
content of the Study Programme
The objectives of the Process Engineering and Combustion Technology MSc syllabus are:
- General understanding of the design, modelling and optimisation of combustion energy systems used in various energy production applications
- Understanding of the detailed operation, functionality and interaction between the various components of key combustion and bio energy conversion technologies
- Detailed insight into systems integration with respect to both systems efficiency and control engineering aspects of energy systems
- Development, construction and operation of combustion energy conversion technologies and bio energy systems in laboratory and in real applications
- Insight into the topics related to the practical realisation and implementation of thermal energy technologies and systems concerning both innovative aspects, business planning and economical considerations
You will study topics like
- How to design efficient combustion systems for advanced biofuels
- How to optimize heat transfer surfaces and minimize operational problems such as fouling
- How to design efficient flue gas cleaning systems for plants operating on complex fuels
During the MSc programme in Process Engineering and Combustion Technology (PECT) at Aalborg University, Esbjerg, you will study energy systems based on advanced combustion technologies. The programme covers bio energy systems for heat and power, fluid mechanics and flow systems, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multiphase flows. The programme provides knowledge of how to design, analyse and simulate devices for combustion of fossil and biomass fuels and gases.
The teaching of the programme is carried out in an innovative, dynamic and challenging environment through a combination of research-based courses, team-based project work and a high degree of interaction with industrial partners and energy supply companies. The companies take an active part in providing project proposals for the problem-oriented project work, guest lectures and visits to the companies.
The teaching is carried out in English because many international students are enrolled in the study programme.
Content of Study Programme
1st Semester
For students with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from Aalborg University the credit of the project work is 15 ECTS, whereas it is 10 ECTS (INTRO project) for students with a BSc degree from another university.
The project technical topics are the same, but the students from another university have one extra course which includes the theory of Problem Based Learning (PBL). This method is the primary teaching method used at Aalborg University, and it is applied in all projects. The documentation of the project work is also different:
Students with a BSc degree from Aalborg University should:
- Document the project work by a paper, a poster and a presentation at an internal conference (CES) together with an appendix report, all in English.
Students with a BSc degree from another university should:
- Document the project by a project report written in English.
1st Semester Project for Students with a BSc from Aalborg University: Combustion Technology
On this semester the focus is on a device or system for thermal conversion of renewable or fossil fuels, either individually or in combination. The project should contain a scientifically based argumentation for the choice of fuel or fuel mix, including pre-treatment requirements and evaluation of resources. Based on the chosen technology scenario, the project should also contain a discussion of relevant emission and climate issues. Finally, the project should contain an in-depth analysis of the conversion process, or a well-defined part of this, based on different analysis, analytical as well as empirical and modelling techniques. The calculations should be verified by laboratory experiments. The validity of any assumptions made should be checked.
Project examples
- Analysis of the combustion characteristics of different biomass fuels
- Experimental measurements of the AAU 500kW grate firing pilot plant
1st Semester INTRO Project for Students with a BSc Degree from Another University than Aalborg University: Problem-based Project-organised Learning in Combustion Technology
The purpose of this semester is to give the students a comprehension of the Problem-B
ased Learning method (PBL), as it is applied at Aalborg University. Focus is to give the students experience in carrying out project work in connection with problems in the subject area of combustion engineering. The students will write a project report documenting their project work. Knowledge will be given to students in subject areas related to their chosen specialisation.
The technical focus is on a device or system for thermal conversion of renewable or fossil fuels. The project should contain a scientifically based argumentation for the choice of fuel or fuel mix, including pre-treatment requirements and evaluation of resources. The project should contain an in-depth analysis and modelling of the conversion process, or a well-defined part of this. The calculations should be verified by laboratory experiments.
The assessment of the INTRO semester project is a stop-test. It is a precondition that this project is passed to be able to continue on the 2nd semester of the MSc study.
Project examples
- Modelling of a laminar premixed flame
- Analysis of biomass fuels
2nd Semester Bio Energy Systems
The aim of the project is to create bioenergy and renewable energy systems with as low carbon dioxide footprint as possible and with the highest efficiency and energy output. Therefore, the project focuses on how to design, analyse and model bio energy systems and how to optimise the refining and the combustion process.
The project should be based on full scale bio energy systems under development. System analysis, process monitoring and optimisation and new technology development should be included. Integration of anaerobic digestion and fermentation processes for 2nd generation bio fuels and/or other biomass conversion technologies should be included.
Optimal utilisation of biomass based combustion technologies for CHP-generation will be an integrated part of the energy system to produce green electricity and heat/steam for the processes or grid integration. The developed design, or the essential parts of it, may be experimentally verified, either in model scale or on the real system, if possible.
Project examples
- Analysis of the global supply chain for biomass fuels
- Termodynamical modelling of Esbjerg værket
- Analysis and modelling of algae fermentation process
3rd Semester Control and/or Surveillance of Combustion Systems
The project will consider optimisation, control or a diagnostic/surveillance system for combustion systems. First the system is to be modelled and different system identification methods can be applied to determine the parameters of the system. The system model is verified by simulations and data time series from either a real system or a laboratory set-up. Based on the model, the control, diagnostic or surveillance system is set up to improve the performance of the system, either with regard to power output, energy efficiency, life time extraction, fault detections, etc., and the system should be implemented and verified experimentally.
To practice scientific communication skills, the project result, or parts of it, must be published in an article written in English. This article is to be presented at an internal seminar (CES).
Courses are offered of which 10 ECTS are to be chosen. The courses may vary from year to year, depending on the number of students of the various specialisations, the on-going projects and research performed at the Department of Energy Technology. Further, courses from other universities might be used as electable courses. However, the following two courses are always available:
- Adaptive and optimal control - 5 ECTS
- System identification and diagnosis - 5 ECTS
Project examples
- Analysis, modelling and optimisation of the control system for a grate boiler
- Control and surveiliance system for a biogas plant
- Fluegas cleaning for difficult fuels
4th Semester Masters Thesis in Process Engineering and Combustion Technology
The Master's Thesis may study new subjects or be an extension of the project work of previous semesters. It will normally be carried out in collaboration with an industrial partner or an energy supply company assuming the character of industrial research or development work. Alternatively, it may support one or more research projects at the Department of Energy Technology, or another research facility assuming the character of research. Often, students write scientific papers reporting the work of their Master's Thesis. The project can be of either theoretical or experimental nature, or a combination of both. As courses are not normally offered on this semester, the entire semester is dedicated to the Thesis work.
Examples of Master's Theses
- Efficient combustion systems for advanced biofuels
- CFD modelling of the combustion process in a boiler
- CFD modelling of rope formation in a pulverized fuel burner
- Measurement of velocities inside of a boiler using LDV
Energy laboratories
At the Department of Energy Technology, you will find a lot of well-equipped and modern test laboratories enabling you to carry out exciting laboratory experiments. These tests will verify the theoretical analysis, which you apply during the project work. The laboratories make it possible to perform realistic tests within the electrical, thermal, hydraulic and mechanical area, and they include advanced computer-based measurement and control facilities. Furthermore, the majority of the project work is carried out in cooperation with the industry, giving you the possibility to do some of the project work in a company. The companies will come up with project proposals and provide equipment or data for the project work.