CHE5299 - Biorefinery processes - 2017

An examination of the chemical engineering aspects of current biomass conversion operations, biomass resources, products from biomass conversion, practical engineering aspects of biorefinery processes and the economic and social aspects of the operation of biorefineries.

Learning objectives of this unit are that the student will:

1. Acquire an increased knowledge and understanding of:
   • Chemical engineering aspects of current biorefineries - sugar plantations and refining, converted pulp and paper mills, ethanol and xylitol refineries
   • Biorefiner platforms - Products (chemicals, materials, energy, food), Feedstocks (carbohydrates and lignocellulosics) and Processes (Pretreatments, Biotechnology - enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation and algal, and Reaction engineering - pyrolysis and green processes/chemistry)
   • Social aspects of establishing biorefineries
   • Economics of biorefineries
   • Operation of biorefineries
2. Develop the skills required to:
   • Analyse new developments in practical aspects of biorefineries and make appropriate and innovative recommendations
   • Keep up to date with developments biorefinery legislation and incentives
3. Demonstrate the ability to:
   • Undertake in depth research of the literature on the practical spects of biorefineries, analyse the information obtained and produce a report which demonstrates understanding and insight
   • Organise practical experiments, make detailed observations of experiments, analyse the results and produce an accurate and detailed report

Assignments and reports: 40%

Test: 10%

Final Examination: 50%

52 hours preliminary and major assignment, 28 hours lectures and 8 hours laboratory classes in the main contact week, 63 hours private study

See also Unit timetable information

Professor Sankar Bhattacharya