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.

The component of continuous assessment includes one of two alternatives: i) preparation of a monograph, with oral presentation and defense of an innovative idea or proposal for solving a specific problem, within the themes of the course; ii) performing different chores throughout the semester, in or out of contact hours, individual or in group, in order to promote reflection / discussion of various topics.

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)

Jorge Manuel dos Santos Rocha

Assessment Methods

Continous 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