CHE5882 - Biomass and biorefineries - 2018

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Engineering

Organisational Unit

Department of Chemical Engineering

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Mark Banaszak Holl

Coordinator(s)

Professor Gil Garnier

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Prohibitions

CHE5298Not offered in 2018

Synopsis

The unit covers biomass reaction engineering including kinetics, reaction/mass transfer limitations, selectivity, improving reaction rates, and homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. The role of biotechnology including enzymatic reactions, fermentation, selectivity will also be studied together with common separation liquid and liquid-solid separation processes.

Global concepts relevant to biorefineries will be emphasised including the carbon cycle (micro and macro perspectives), overall sustainability of water, energy, and minimising by-products from biorefineries.

Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  • analyse new developments in fundamental aspects of biorefineries
  • assess and critique new advances and applications for biorefineries from a technical perspective
  • evaluate and recommend an appropriate biorefining approach for various biomass feedstocks
  • review and critique recent biorefinery research literature and synthesise the findings and insights
  • create and analyse experimental data to produce an accurate and detailed report

Assessment

Continuous assessment: 60%

Take-home final examination (case study): 40%

Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.

Workload requirements

On-campus enrolments: 2 hours lectures, 3 hours tutorial and 7 hours of private study per week. 8 hours of laboratories during the semester.

Online enrolments: 144 hours of study

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study