Biorefineries

Recommended Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Separation Processes   

Teaching Methods

In the theoretical classes (T) of 2 h/week, support materials are provided, and an expository methodology is used with the presentation of practical examples, whenever possible. In the 7 PL classes with a duration of 2h, practical or demonstration works are carried out giving rise to a small report to be prepared by the students (20%). At the beginning of the semester, group assignments (2 students each group) are distributed (80%). Student orientation and oral presentation of the synthesis work is done in OT classes.

Learning Outcomes

To provide the student with knowledge of alternative technologies for the transformation of biomass and the different chemicals that can be obtained. The student should:

- Identify the different types of biorefineries;

- Identify the main components of biomass and recognize its importance as a renewable resource and sustainable source of chemicals, materials, fuels and energy as an alternative to fossil resources;

- Recognize the determining steps for the main pathways of biomass conversion by chemical, thermochemical or biotechnological processes;

- Know the pre-treatment technique(s) and the different fractionation processes, considering their advantages and disadvantages.

- Understand the concept of Green Chemistry and Sustainability and identify alternative processes for the development of more sustainable products and processes.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1) Principles and evolution of the biorefinery concept (biorefinery types); Bioeconomy; Circular economy; Biomass as a sustainable source of energy and chemicals;

2) Morphology and chemical composition of plant biomass (polysaccharides, lignin, suberin and extractives); other sources of biomass;

3) Biomass conversion: physical, physicochemical, chemical, thermochemical and biological processes;

4) Treatment and fractionation techniques according to the type of biomass and the final product;

5) Modern unit operations and innovative process flowsheets;

6) Biorefinery of lignocellulosic raw materials; examples of integrated processes;

7) Green chemistry and sustainable development;

8) Factors affecting the efficiency of biomass fractionation processes.  

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria da Graça Videira de Sousa Carvalho

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 20.0%
Synthesis work: 80.0%

Bibliography

- J. Sadhukhan, K. Ng, E. Hernandez, Biorefineries and Chemical Processes: Design, Integration and Sustainability Analysis, Wiley, 2014

- M. Aresta, A. Dibenedetto, F. Dumeignil, Biorefinery: from biomass to chemicals and fuels, De Gruyter, 2012

- S.Yang, H.El-Ensashy, N.Thongchul (Eds) Bioprocessing Technologies in Biorefinery for Sustainable Production of Fuels, Chemicals, and Polymers. Wiley, 2013

- P. Stuart, M.El Halwagi, Integrated Biorefineries: Design, Analysis and optimization, CRC Press, 2012

- B. Kamm, P. Gruber, M. Kamm (Eds) Biorefineries - Industrial Processes and Products, 2Vols. Wiley, 2010

- Z.Fang (Ed) Pretreatment Techniques for Biofuels and Biorefineries, Springer, 2013

- S. Mussatto (ed.) Biomass Fractionation Technologies for a Lignocellulosic Feedstock Based Biorefinery. Elsevier, 2016

- Capítulos de livros/artigos de revisão sobre os temas propostas para o trabalho de síntese / - Book chapters or survey papers on the topics proposed for the synthesis work