PSU Fuel Science Undergraduate Courses

The courses described in this section are required of students who elect the Energy and Fuels Engineering Option.

EGEE 012. ENERGY ENGINEERING LECTURE (1) This course is a series of lectures and discussion by faculty and visiting scientists/engineers on energy science and engineering, job selection, patents, licensing, ethics, and other professional issues and challenges. Prerequisite: fifth-semester standing in Energy Engineering major or Energy and Fuels Engineering Option in Chemical Engineering

FSc 401. INTRODUCTION TO FUEL TECHNOLOGY (3) This course serves as an introduction to the field of energy and fuels engineering. The course consists of three major units: the conventional fossil fuels (coal, petroleum and natural gas) and their utilization; resource and environmental pressures on fossil fuel utilization; and future trends in fuel utilization (including alternative automotive fuels, biomass and wood, and hydrogen). In addition, national energy policy and constraints on fossil fuel reserves and resources are discussed. In an effort to better equip our graduates for competition in the evolving market place, this is a communication intensive course. Students are required to perform computerized presentations on a variety of topics, and contribute to technical discussions. Prerequisites: CHEM 013, PHYS 211. Offered Fall Semester.

EGEE 411. ENERGY ENGINEERING LABORATORY (2) This course provides practical experience in working with fuels and energy-producing devices. The course has two components. The first is experience in the analysis and characterization of fossil fuels. The second involves the application of the fuel characterization experience, as well as knowledge gained in earlier courses in Fuel Science and Chemical Engineering, to practical energy generation systems, such as a small boiler used for steam generation, an internal combustion engine, or a catalytic hydrogenation unit. Students will analyze the feedstocks and effluents, as well as, do heat and mass transfer balances around devices. Prerequisites: F SC 401. Prerequisite or concurrent: F SC 431 and ENGL 202C. Offered Spring Semester.

EGEE 430. INTRODUCTION TO COMBUSTION (3) Principles of laminar and turbulent premixed and non-premixed combustion; chemical reaction kinetics, heat and mass transfer, and fluid mechanics. Prerequisite: ME 023 or 030; PHYS 203 or 204.

FSc 431. THE CHEMISTRY OF FUELS (3) This is an applied organic chemistry course. The course consists of three major units: the chemistry of fuel formation in nature (an introduction to organic geochemistry); the fundamental relationships among composition, molecular structure, and physical properties of fuels; and the chemistry of selected fuel refining, upgrading, and utilization processes. Emphasis is largely on the major fossil fuels. Combustion chemistry is not covered in this course, since it is dealt with extensively in F SC 416 and 422. The course includes some discussion of alternative fuels, such as oil shale and tar sands. Prerequisite: F SC 401. Offered Spring Semester.

FSc 432. FUEL SCIENCE/PETROLEUM PROCESSING (3) This course provides a study of the physical and chemical processes used to convert crude oil into desired products. Major emphasis is given to petroleum refining processes, such as distillation and thermal and catalytic cracking. The constitution and properties of crude oil and the definitions and properties of refinery products are discussed. Consideration is given to environmental issues, including both emissions from refinery operations and emissions from use of the end products. Information throughout the course will be synthesized to develop a concept of the refinery of the future. Prerequisite: CHEM 210. Offered Fall Semester.

EGEE 464W. ENERGY DESIGN PROJECT (3) This course involves several design projects in Energy and Fuels Engineering, each of several weeks' duration. The projects cover and integrate material covered previously in the curriculum, including energy balances, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, kinetics, reaction engineering, and economic analysis. The objective is to provide seniors in Energy and Fuels Engineering with realistic and practical experience in the overall synthesis and design of fuel processing facilities. Prerequisite: seventh-semester standing in energy engineering or chemical engineering. Offered Spring Semester.

Required Fuel Science (FSc) and Energy & Geo-Environmental Engineering (EGEE) Undergraduate Course Descriptions