Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-08 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).
Overview
- Swedish nameBioraffinaderi
- CodeKBT145
- Credits7.5 Credits
- OwnerMPISC
- Education cycleSecond-cycle
- Main field of studyBioengineering, Energy and Environmental Systems and Technology, Chemical Engineering
- DepartmentCHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
- GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail
Course round 1
- Teaching language English
- Application code 25111
- Maximum participants60 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
- Minimum participants12
- Block schedule
- Open for exchange studentsYes
Credit distribution
Module | Sp1 | Sp2 | Sp3 | Sp4 | Summer | Not Sp | Examination dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0107 Examination 7.5 c Grading: TH | 7.5 c |
|
In programmes
- MPISC - INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, MSC PROGR, Year 1 (compulsory)
- MPSES - SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS, MSC PROGR, Year 2 (elective)
Examiner
Merima Hasani- Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Eligibility
General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Specific entry requirements
English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Course specific prerequisites
Basic course in organic chemistry
Unit operations in Chemical engineering
Aim
Within the next 50 years we will se a gradual transition from an oilbased society to a biobased society. In this transition there will be a necessity to find new process routes to produce some of the materials used today as well as new materials that can replace some of the materials normally used today.
The aim of this course is to give basic knowledge needed to understand how biomaterial can be used and how different biorefinery concepts can be developed based on both environmental and economical criteria.
Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
After this course the students should have knowledge in:- Availability and chemical composition of the most common biomass sources, Including both global and national perspective as well as aspects of sustainable cultivation and use
- Methods and processes (both current and potential future ones) available for recovery and post-treatment of biomass components, including theoretical, economical and sustainability aspects
- Ethical and societal issues raised by different approaches of utilizing biomass (e.g. use of the arable land resources and utilization of food-related biomass sources)
Content
The course will explore some general questions regarding structure and availability of different types of biomass and how these can be utilized as a feedstock for materials and chemicals from the processability and application point of view. The course can be divided in the following parts:Part I, An overview:
What kinds of biomass and bio-building blocks are available (their structure, abundance, cultivation aspects and implications for use as raw materials) and how theses should be utilized? What kinds of biorefinery concepts can be developed from these based on technological, environmental and societal considerations? Different types and generations of biorefineries and their implications for a sustainable development will be discussed.
Part II, Principles of utilization of forest biomass (globally the most abundant lignocellulosic biomass) as a raw material basis for a biorefinery:
Forest biomass as a feedstock. How can current processes employed in valorization of forest biomass be further developed and diversified towards a wood-based biorefinery?
Part III, Current and future wood-based biorefineries and platforms
Through case studies of existing biorefinery concepts (including a study visit and a guest lecture) the need and feasibility of various future processes and products are discussed.
Organisation
The course consists of 16 lectures, a workshop on ethical issues related to different aspects of biomass utilization, a study visit and a project work (preformed in groups) on selected biomass components.Literature
Selected chapters from "Wood Chemistry - The Ljungberg textbook" will be used as course literature, supplemented by lecture notes and literature that students refer to retrieve from the available e-books and -journals.Examination including compulsory elements
The examination includes a written exam, a group project (including both an oral presentation and a written report), an active participation in the ethics workshop and the study visit. The final grade will be set by the written exam and extra credit points obtained from the group project.The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.