Energy and Biofuels

Recommended Prerequisites

Chemical Thermodynamics, Transport Phenomena I and II, Mass and Energy Balances, Introduction to Biological Processes.

Teaching Methods

Critical discussion of different forms of energy and their transformations: historical evolution, economics and technology, environmental issues associated, dependence and diversity.

Learning Outcomes

- Understand the commitments of the triangle energy / environment / economic development.

- Discuss the concept of useful energy, forms of energy, units and evolution of energy sources available.

- Evaluate the energy transformations and their efficiencies, at domestic and industrial level.

- Compare the fossil energy with renewables.

- Knowing the methods of production of bioenergy and biofuels: associated with biomass, biogas, bioethanol, biodiesel, (bio) hydrogen, dimethyl ether.

- Understanding electricity as an energy carrier: its production and conversion

- Understand the processes of transformation of lignocellulosic biomass into energy: hydrolysis, pyrolysis and gasification.

- Evaluate the gaseous and liquid fuels (fossil and synthetic) - characterization and production routes.

- Develop information management capabilities, to adapt to new situations and to understand the importance of energy diversification.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Energy resources of the Planet and relationship with development. The concept of energy and its efficient processing. CO₂ emissions and its consequences. Capture and storage of CO₂. The importance of electricity as energy carrier. The role of energy in manufacturing. The use of renewable energy: hydro, wind, solar (photovoltaic and thermal), geothermal, ocean waves and biomass. Advantages and disadvantages, technological limitations. Biofuels as an alternative or additive to fossil fuels. The technology available for the production of biofuels. Interest in biofuels: bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas and biohydrogen. The combination of a clean burning and an equally clean production, with simultaneous resolution of environmental problems. The transformation of lignocellulosic biomass into energy: hydrolysis, pyrolysis and gasification. Biorefinery. The gaseous and liquid fuels (fossil and synthetic) - characterization and production.

Head Lecturer(s)

Abel Gomes Martins Ferreira

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 30.0%
Exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

Hinrichs & Kleinbach, Energy: its use and the environment, 4ª ed., Thomson, Brooks/Cole, 2005

Biofuels, Adv. Biochem. Engin/Biotechnol, vol 108, Springer-Verlag, 2007

Probstein, R.F. & Hicks R.E., Synthetic Fuels, McGraw Hill, 1982

Speight, J., Synthetic Fuels Handbook – Properties, Process and Performance, McGraw Hill, 2005

Zaborsky, O.R., Biohydrogen, Plenum Press, 1998

Miyake, J, Matsunaga, T & San Pietro, A, Biohydrogen II, Pergamon, 2001

Reith, JH, Wijffels, RH e Barten H, Bio-methane & Bio-hydrogen: status and perspectives of biological methane and hydrogen production, Dutch Biological Hydrogen Foundation, 2003

Murphy W.R. e Mckay G., Energy management, Butterworths, 1982

Kenney W.F., Energy conservation in the process industries (energy science and engineering), Academic Press, 1984

Fahrenbruch, A.L., Fundamental of solar cells: photovoltaic solar energy conversion, NY Academic, 1983

Twidell, J., A guide to small wind energy conversion systems, Cambridge Univ. Press, 1987