Topics for student papers

Are you looking for an interesting topic for your student thesis?

Then please contact our representatives Dr Mathias Niendorf or Dr Volker Wichmann.

Student research project

Conducting a cost-effectiveness analysis based on various retrofit options for a single-cylinder dual-fuel marine engine

The TEME2030+ project deals with the dual-fuel combustion process of medium-speed 4-stroke marine engines and the associated exhaust emissions. The aim of the joint project is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from marine engines by 35% compared to the base year 2020. The emission reduction is to be achieved through a diverse technology package that will not only increase efficiency but also prevent emissions from being generated in the first place. In view of the upcoming emission targets and possible penalties for non-compliance, the economic evaluation of various technology packages for marine engines is becoming increasingly important.

The aim of this student project is to conduct an economic analysis of various technology packages that were examined as part of the TEME2030+ project. To this end, it is necessary to quantify the potential reduction in CO2 equivalents and analyse it economically using a method of your choice. All costs that may arise during the installation and operation of the technology must be taken into account. The analysis should evaluate the technology packages economically and thus provide recommendations for action for shipowners.

Focus of this thesis:

  • Familiarisation with the topics of dual fuel and emission formation
  • Familiarisation with the 1/34 DF test bench engine at the university
  • Research on regulatory instruments in the maritime industry
  • Development and selection of various models for a profitability analysis.
    • Static
    • Dynamic
  • Quantification of the CO2 reduction potential of various technology packages.
  • Conducting the profitability analysis.

Supervisor:

M. Sc. Pascal Seipel

MSF Rostock/LKV Room 01

Tel.: 0381/498-9162

Bachelor thesis

Single Cylinder Engine Briggs & Stratton 9T702

Single-cylinder test engines are often used for training and basic research. The engine technologies of OTTO engines are constantly evolving, meaning that new test engines have to be built at regular intervals. The chair intends to replace one such engine with an OHV engine. The new test engine is based on the Briggs & Stratton 9T702 and is intended to replace an engine with vertical valves.

In this thesis, the student will familiarise themselves with the function of modern petrol engines and design a test bench setup.

The initial aim of the thesis is to develop basic ideas for converting the test bench so that the engine can be used as a teaching engine and to estimate the operating costs involved. The various approaches are to be presented and evaluated in the thesis.

One approach, agreed upon with the supervisor, is then to be implemented constructively and the corresponding drawings and documents are to be created.

Contact: Dr. Volker Wichmann | 0381 – 498 9161 |

Bachelor thesis

Piston pumps and compressors

Over the past 10 years, the Chair of Piston Machines and Internal Combustion Engines has acquired a large number of cutaway models of piston pumps and piston compressors. These are now to be used and presented more extensively in teaching. The student's bachelor thesis will involve systematising the chair's model collection and preparing it for digital and analogue teaching.

This includes the following tasks:

  • Photo documentation of each model, including a parts list for each model
  • Description of the function and area of application of each model
  • Creation of a profile in both electronic and analogue form (laminated device card)
  • PowerPoint presentation for teaching in the Bachelor's programme in Mechanical Engineering on all pumps and compressors

Contact: Dr. Volker Wichmann | 0381 – 498 9161 | volker.wichmannuni-rostockde

Bachelor thesis

Reduction of CO2 emissions in maritime shipping through the use of drop-in fuel components from waste materials – investigations into the mixture stability of pyrolysis intermediates

In April 2018, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) set out its strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships in its resolution MEPC.304. According to this, CO2 emissions are to be reduced by 40% by 2030 and by 70% by 2050 (compared to 2008). Due to the long life cycles of ships and their propulsion systems, the key to achieving these ambitious targets in the medium term lies in the defossilisation of fuels. One solution is the use of waste-based, low-sulphur ‘drop-in fuels’ for the operation of ocean-going vessels.

Objective:

Investigations into the mixture stability of pyrolysis intermediates from residues containing marine residual oils.

Task:

  1. Literature research on marine fuel components from residues and methods for investigating the mixture stability of marine residual oils.
  2. Sustainability considerations and market potential
  3. Conducting a series of measurements to determine the mixture stability of pyrolysis intermediates with selected residual oils
    1. Production of standard-compliant mixtures in accordance with ISO 8217
    2. Determination of selected fuel parameters (flash point, density, viscosity)
    3. Testing of mixture stability
    4. Testing of mixture stability over a period of two weeks
  4. Comparative evaluation of pyrolysis oil mixtures with regard to their suitability as marine fuel (advantages and disadvantages)

Contact: Dr Ulrike Schümann | +49 (0)381 – 498 9156 | ulrike.schümann@uni-rostock.de

Bachelor thesis / Student Research Project / Master thesis

Conversion of a single-cylinder engine from oil mist lubrication to metered oil lubrication

On a single-cylinder full engine, the existing oil mist lubrication is to be converted to oil sump lubrication with or without an oil pump.

To this end, both options are to be investigated and, after selecting a suitable variant, tests are to be carried out on the test bench motor to examine its function and effectiveness.

Contact: Dr.-Ing. Mathias Niendorf | +49 (0)381 – 498 9502 | mathias.niendorfuni-rostockde

Student research project / Master Thesis

Investigation into the adjustment of timing for downspeeding a single-cylinder petrol engine by designing suitable cam profiles

Simulation of gas exchange and optimisation of cam profiles using BOOST/CRUISE software

Design of suitable cam profiles for reversing the direction of rotation of a single-cylinder engine

Contact: Dr Mathias Niendorf | +49 (0)381 – 498 9502 | mathias.niendorfuni-rostockde

Student Research Project / Master Thesis

Comparative investigation of concepts for a roller test bench for determining wheel friction on a competitor's vehicle

The rolling friction of air filled tyres is to be investigated. Various concepts are to be examined and evaluated in terms of feasibility. Depending on the scope of the work, a test rig for a test bench is to be designed and, if necessary, constructed based on the target concept.

Contact: Dr.-Ing. Mathias Niendorf | 0381 – 498 9502 | mathias.niendorfuni-rostockde

Student Research Project / Master thesis

Design of a dual-mass flywheel for a single-cylinder internal combustion engine

A flywheel must be designed for a single-cylinder engine that dampens the resulting torsional vibrations as effectively as possible in order to minimise stress on the drive train and losses at a friction clutch, thereby increasing efficiency.
Supervisor: Dr.-Ing. Mathias Niendorf

Bachelor Thesis

Investigation of installation and implementation options for speed sensors on the side of the starter wheel of a GX35

There are various ways of measuring the crankshaft angle in an internal combustion engine. A widely used method involves a sector wheel with teeth that are detected by a sensor, which then transmits the signal to the control unit.
This project aims to investigate ways of integrating such a sensor arrangement into an existing engine as simply and robustly as possible.


Supervisor: Dr.-Ing. Mathias Niendorf

Investigation into the influence of various operating parameters of a high-pressure, high-temperature injection chamber on the combustion of a diesel spray

Student Research Project / Master thesis

Degree programme Bachelor's/Master's in Mechanical Engineering or comparable,
Level: Final thesis 


For the targeted development of low-emission and high-performance diesel combustion processes, precise knowledge of the spray dispersion, evaporation and ignition of the injected fuel jet is necessary. Since these cannot be adequately determined within the engine, FVTR GmbH operates one of the largest high-pressure, high-temperature injection chambers in the world. This makes it possible to realistically simulate the state of the cylinder charge at the start of injection. High-speed cameras and laser light are used to visualise events that take place in milliseconds.To achieve operating conditions that are as close as possible to those in the engine, various operating parameters can be varied in the chamber. The aim of the work is to investigate the influence of these operating parameters on the fuel jet and its combustion. In addition, the optical properties of various fuel vapours are to be investigated and their effects on the laser streak method used are to be evaluated.
 

Work content:

 - Creation of a suitable test programme
- Carrying out measurements on the injection chamber
- Evaluation of the measurement results
- Measurement of the refractive index of various fuel vapours


There is also the possibility of a prior internship.


Contact: Dr Fabian Pinkert, fabian.pinkert@fvtr.de, M.Sc. Erwin Swiderski, erwin.swiderski@fvtr.de

Investigation of the correlation between the thermal stability of DK/FAME/HVO blends and their deposit formation in the Diesel Deposit Formation Test (DDFT)

Betreuer: Dr. rer. nat. Ulrike Schümann

Determination of the correlation of the thermal stability of diesel fuel –FAME-HVO blends and their tendency of deposit formation in the Diesel Deposit Formation Test (DDFT).

Please contact us directly for further information.
Contact: Dr Ulrike Schümann
Email: ulrike.schuemann@uni-rostock.de; Tel: +49 (0)381 498 9156; Room: R121 Stelzengang

 

Redesign of an engine test bench for teaching purposes

Supervisor: Dr.-Ing. Mathias Niendorf

Objective: (Re)design of a small test bench for a single-cylinder petrol engine for teaching purposes to record engine parameters.
Based on an existing test bench, a new test bench is to be designed taking into account new boundary conditions and components. A powerful brake and an existing torque measuring shaft are to be integrated.
Further details can be discussed with the supervisors.


Contact persons: Dr.-Ing. Mathias Niendorf, Dr.-Ing. Volker Wichmann


Bachelor's thesis, student research project, master's thesis

Exhaust emission standards, measurement regulations and measuring devices

Supervisor: Dr.-Ing. Wichmann

In order to reduce environmental pollution, exhaust emission standards for combustion engines have been in place since 1967. These have been continuously developed to achieve lower emission values. The emission standards are accompanied by measurement regulations, measurement procedures and commercially available measuring devices. Only the interaction of these four components creates a generally applicable, reproducible emission standard for reducing environmental pollution. These specifications differ significantly between the various fields of application for engines, from CHP units to road traffic and snowmobiles. The aim of this thesis is to provide an overview of this field, which exhaust emission measurement regulations apply to which area of application, what the test cycle looks like, and which measurement methods and devices are used. Based on a literature study, overviews and tables will be created for illustrative purposes.


Supervisor: Dr.-Ing. Wichmann
Start date: Immediately