Course Description
Various aspects of biomass conversion to energy, chemical, and bioproducts. The presentations are linked to introduce the student to opportunities in the emerging bio-economy. Topics include biomass types and characteristics, technologies, systems analysis, economics, and environmental aspects of biorefineries.
Athena Title
BIOREFINERY EGR
Prerequisite
BCHE 3145 and BCHE 3420
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
• Prepare the student to gain an understanding of opportunities in a bio-based industrial economy. • Gain familiarity with various biomass sources and their properties, quantities, methods of production, handling, storage etc. • Understand conversion technologies – thermochemcial and biological. • Understand the economics of biomass conversion. • Gain an appreciation of the dependence of today’s human lifestyle on fossil fuels for energy and products – and explore alternatives to these resources. • Develop an ability to read and comprehend novel technologies and systems that claim conversion of biomass to value added products that replace those derived from fossil fuels.
Topical Outline
Course introduction & organization 1. The Economics of Biomass Utilization – markets, policy, mandates 2. Biomass Sources from Agriculture and Forestry and their properties 3. Harvesting & Transportation Issues. 4. Transformation from traditional forest products to novel products: Forest Biorefinery, Short rotation energy crops, etc. 5. Chemistry of Alternative Biomass Material and Products 6. Electric Generation – Firing or Co-Firing with Biomass 7. Conversion Processes – Biological 8. Conversion Processes – Pyrolysis 9. Conversion Processes – Gasification 10. Assessing Cost of Production and Energy Balances 11. Student Presentations (topics selected by discussion with instructor) & Discussion
Syllabus