Energy and Mineral Engineering (EME)

This class is designed to present a broad range of tools for evaluating energy projects, technologies, and systems. Topics will include project evaluation methods (NPV, discounting), tools for decision/design under uncertainty (Monte Carlo simulation, decision trees, lattices, real options), optimization (linear programming, stochastic programming), and economics/markets/regulation (review of microeconomics, market failures, regulation, and market design). Students will focus both on the intuition and appropriate application of the various methods and theories.

Theoretical background of sustainability issues and studies of sustainability systems.

The boundary between two phases, the interface between the phases (referred to as the "interface") has very different properties from that of the bulk phase and such interfaces are important in a variety of energy, chemical, and mineral engineering processes. The interface may control transport between the phases, e.g., liquid-liquid extraction, reaction at the interface, e.g., heterogeneous catalysis, or accumulation of a component from one of the bulk phases, e.g., adsorption. All of these are examples of interfacial phenomena relevant to energy conversion, mineral extraction, and oil recovery processes. Course topics are drawn from physical and interfacial chemistry to address engineering and applied science needs in fuel science, fossil fuel recovery, renewable fuel processing, mineral processing, environmental science, and health. Topics include interfacial forces, phase behavior, adsorption/desorption, reaction kinetics, and solution chemistry. The applications of these subjects in various fields such as reservoir engineering, fuel science, mineral separations, reacting flows, and water systems will also be covered. Analytical surface characterization techniques and particle sizing methods will also be covered, including selected demonstrations.

This class develops the understanding of methods of modeling used for important physical and chemical phenomena involved in energy and mineral engineering systems. These include both separate and mixed solid (solid mechanics) and fluid (computational fluid mechanics) systems, including reactive components. The emphasis is on finite element methods but also includes other continuum methods (LBM, SPH), integral methods, and discontinuum methods. Students will develop working programming modules of simple-through-complex models of interactive physical systems and research materials on some form of computational methods.

This course covers the formulation of and solution methods for a full range of economic-engineering investment and operations problems for electric power systems. Application problems include economic dispatch, unit commitment, optimal power flow, generation capacity expansion, transmission expansion, and modeling of competitive electricity markets. Solution methods include linear programming, mixed integer programming, decomposition methods for stochastic programming (e.g., Lagrangian Relaxation, Benders Decomposition), and mixed complementarity problems, with an emphasis on numerical implementation.

This course covers the theory and implementation of computational methods for stochastic simulation and stochastic optimization, with an emphasis on algorithms and implementation. The course emphasizes the quantitative analysis or numerical modeling of complex systems in fields such as civil, environmental, energy, mechanical, and industrial engineering or energy, environmental, and natural resource economics. Topics include Monte Carlo simulation, quasi-random and pseudo-random sampling methods, Markov Chains, Dynamic Programming, Approximate Dynamic Programming, and Stochastic Programming decomposition techniques.

This course provides an overview of the application of machine learning algorithms to problems in energy and mineral engineering. The course addresses the strengths and weaknesses of various machine learning approaches, as well as appropriate testing and validation techniques for these complex models. Topics include machine learning applications in regression, classification, design optimization, and risk analysis. An emphasis of this course is for students to apply these methods to specific research problems of interest. Students with some background in statistics, but no previous formal training in machine learning algorithms will find this course most useful.

The course provides a broad introduction to analytical methods commonly used in science, technology, and energy policy analysis.

EME 526 covers the theoretical frameworks and quantitative methods for evaluating and designing solar resource projects. Methods will include quantitative solar resource measurement, forecasting, uncertainty quantification, dynamical systems modeling, and game theoretic models. Students will compare and assess alternative theoretical and quantitative approaches in terms of their ability to address a range of important objectives, including economic, technical constraints, robustness to uncertainty, varying risk preferences of stakeholders, and other ethical and cultural considerations. The course utilizes data sets and modeling resources drawn from actual case studies to provide students context in which to apply and evaluate the methods.

This course covers the theory, methods, and implementation of modeling spatial variability and uncertainty with special consideration of the structure of energy, natural resource, and environmental system models. The course draws heavily upon geostatistical methods, and covers random functions, Semivariograms, Kriging, spatial simulation, and data assimilation into spatial simulation models.

This course presents linear and non-linear irreversible thermodynamics as a means to explore the coupling between physicochemical, kinetic, and transport processes. Linear irreversible thermodynamics will be illustrated by well-known and practical phenomena such as Seebeck effect (thermocouple), Peltier effect (dehumidifier), Soret effect (thermal diffusion), etc. Non-linear irreversible thermodynamics will be used for demonstrating the phenomena of bifurcation, self-organization, and dissipative structures that take place in nature and human society. The self-organizing economy will also be discussed to show how the far-from-equilibrium thermodynamics can be applied to some economic phenomena.

Fundamentals of electrochemical science and engineering based on electrochemical thermodynamics and kinetics. EME 541 Electrochemical Science and Engineering Fundamentals (3) The course focuses on the fundamental concepts of electrochemical science and engineering based on thermodynamics and kinetics. The course provides a synopsis of a variety of electrochemical systems and processes and shows their applicability for a number of industrial applications.

In the energy and minerals sector, environmental health and safety (EHS) concerns have critical importance to engineering design, operations, and applied research. Contemporary experience has demonstrated that the integration of these priorities into the conceptualization, design, development, and management of energy and mineral technologies is essential. This course will begin with an overview of quantitative analytical techniques to assess probabilistic risks that arise due to the design and maintenance of engineered systems. The balance of the course will be devoted to study of effective approaches to analyzing, mitigating, and managing risk, environmental impacts, behavioral/psychological dimensions (e.g., cognitive biases), and the application and validation of interventions to achieve goals. The intent of this course is to give students an understanding of the challenges and successful approaches that should be part of every engineering project and operation.

Preparation and characterization of solid catalytic materials and the relationships between their surface, defect, and electronic properties and catalytic activity. MATSE (EME) 570 Catalytic Materials (3)This course covers the preparation and characterization of solid catalytic materials, and the relationships between the surface and electronic properties and pore structure of the materials and their catalytic activity and selectivity. The course includes the following materials: zeolites and molecular sieves; metals and alloys; metal oxides; metal sulfides; and other catalytic materials. Also included are the major applications of catalytic materials in chemical and petroleum industries and in other manufacturing industries for environmental protection. This course can be grouped into three parts: (1) introduction to catalysis and analytical techniques; (2) synthesis and characterization of catalytic materials; and (3) catalysis at surfaces of solid materials. The course is suitable for a broad spectrum of students in energy and mineral engineering, materials science and engineering, fuel science, chemical engineering, chemistry, solid -state science, and environmental engineering.

Analysis of the methodology of the research process through a discussion of the methodology of reading and writing peer-reviewed publications. The students will learn how to more efficiently understand and explain the results available in the published literature, so that they can apply this methodology to organize, present, and discuss their own results by applying the essential principles of research ethics and integrity.

Presents methods essential for the conduct and analysis of scientific research and spatial characterization in energy and mineral engineering disciplines.

Most professional opportunities within renewable energy and sustainability systems require working in interdisciplinary teams on complex problems. This course will use a case-study approach to provide realworld management, and leadership, and research experiences and utilize the technical, economic, and ethical concepts learned in other course work in the field of renewable energy and sustainable systems (RESS). Following an intensive session on project management, team dynamics, and leadership, students will identify a team and external company or another stakeholder with a challenge relevant to the program. The teams will then conduct research evaluate alternatives, assess feasibility, and complete a detailed techno¿economic analysis for their case. This analysis will serve as a platform from which to define sustainability metrics, evaluate alternatives, and assess feasibility and complete life-cycle and environmental impact analysis as part of the final design. Projects outcomes will be presented to both external stakeholders, and peers, and program faculty for constructive feedback that will be incorporated in the project final report.

Continuing seminars that consist of individual lectures by faculty, students or outside speakers on energy and mineral engineering issues.

Creative projects, including nonthesis research, that are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Formal courses given on a topical or special interest subject which may be offered infrequently.

Discussion of current and foundational research contributions in Geomechanics including ongoing work by current students

This course will provide students hands-on experience designing research programs to address external market needs that will lead to enhanced Penn State / external collaboration. Classroom lectures will cover topics important for design a new technology program.

Thesis research culminating into the doctoral degree in Energy and Mineral Engineering.

Thesis research after successful comprehensive exam culminating into the doctoral degree in Energy and Minerl Engineering.

Structure and function of energy markets; existing and emerging environmental regulations; decision-making by energy companies.

An overview of renewable energy technologies and sustainable energy system analysis.

Provides in-depth exploration of energy policy development, implementation, and assessment at multiple governmental and corporate scales with emphasis on energy markets.

Industry perspective on the resources, technologies, engineering approaches and externalities involved in deploying renewable energy businesses profitably and sustainably.

This course examines strategies and applications of sustainable technologies in manufacturing, energy, water, transportation, food, and building systems.

Methods, economic criteria, and meteorological background for assessing the solar resource with respect to solar energy conversion technologies.

Applications of solar thermal energy (STE) including district heating/cooling (buildings), industrial process heating, fuel synthesis, desalination, and materials processing.

Technical and theoretical background for utility scale solar energy conversion technologies to generate electric power.

Formal courses given on a topical or special interest subject with a professional orientation that may be offered infrequently; several different topics may be taught in one year or semester.