Biorefinery

• Describe the physical and chemical structures of biomass and their potential use for production of bioenergy, biomaterials and biochemicals
• Identify and describe biomass resources (forest, agricultural, municipal and marine biomass), their occurrence and application in a biorefinery concept
• Identify and describe biomass constituents (starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, protein, lipids)
• Outline the principles of a biorefinery including chemical, biological and thermo-chemical conversion methods
• Outline and compare various methods of biomass processing for production of bioenergy products, biomaterials, chemicals and building blocks for chemical synthesis
• Describe the differences between aerobic and anaerobic biological processes
• Describe the steps of anaerobic digestion processes
• Determine reactor configuration to treat specific biomass types
• Write a scientific report
• Design a theoretical and creative biorefinery based on scientific references
• Use literature databases concerning renewable resources and sustainable management

The course will give a broad perspective over the biorefinery concept by introducing the key integrated processes, such as biomass production, pretreatment, and chemical-, biological- and thermo-chemical- conversion. The lectures will focus on bioresources and single processing steps and will include industrial and scientific examples. In the case study the students will combine multiple processing steps into a novel biorefinery concept. There will be emphasis on sustainable systems throughout the course.
The course is divided into four main blocks:
1. Chemical characterization of biomass and recovery of biochemicals of industrial interest. Calculations include mass balances and stoichiometry.
2. Green processes/techniques used in biorefineries: Fermentation processes, Enzyme technology, Membrane technology, Clean solvents, Integration reaction-separation, Use of various pretreatment processes eg. thermochemical, microwaves/ultrasound.
3. Introduction to Energy from Biomass: Physical, microbiological, and thermodynamic processes. Gasification and pyrolysis. Biogas.
4. Other applications: Biomaterials.
5. Biological treatment methods for waste and wastewater for production of bioproducts, biofuels and energy

27002, or similar

Lectures and project work

The study material will be based on a compendium and international journal articles.

Minimum: 10.

Please be aware that this course will only be held if the required minimum number of participants is met. You will be informed 8 days before the start of the course, whether the course will be held.