M&TT Colloquia Homepage

Dynamic modelling of internal combustion engines running on alternative fuels

Jasper Vollbrandt May 2nd, 2024, 16h00, Lecture Hall F

The global shipping industry is at a crucial juncture, facing an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the short to medium term to mitigate climate change. A shift towards alternative fuels is imminent, necessitated by the limitations in current fuel cell and battery technology in terms of power density. Currently, the most promising candidates are hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. However, compared to marine diesel engines, engines running on alternative fuels limit the dynamic performance to assure a stable combustion process and prevent knocking and misfire. This research focusses on the complex dynamic interaction between the gas-path and the in-cylinder process of marine engines on alternative fuels. With a combination of physical experiments and engine simulations, we try to understand what enables and limits dynamic performance. During my presentation I will give some background information, talk about the challenges of combining physical and simulation experiments, and show first results.

Experimental Wave-Structure Interaction of membrane-type Floating Photovoltaics

Hanna Pot May 2nd, 2024, 16h00, Lecture Hall F

Membrane-type support structures offer a promising avenue for reducing construction costs of offshore floating photovoltaic (PV) systems, potentially enhancing economic viability compared to traditional rigid supports. However, this type of structure is yet scarcely researched, such that hydrodynamics, wave-structure interactions and mooring loads are hard to quantify. To obtain a deeper understanding of the dynamic motion behaviour of these systems, our research focuses on the experimental quantification of mooring loads and the dynamic response of membrane structures under wave action. Wave tank experiments are conducted using a 5-meter-long neoprene model to simulate wave response. The model's deflections are captured using Digital Image Correlation, a stereovision technique that allows for precise full-field deformation analysis. Preliminary results of these experiments are presented.