Waste to FuelsLaajuus (5 cr)

Course unit code: TX00FW99

General information

Credits: 5 cr

Objective

The student understands the utilisation of side and waste streams in fuel production in existing and emerging processes. The student knows the most typical waste streams and their composition and potential in the production of different fuels. The student is able to describe how waste can be used to produce fuels and the different steps in the production process. The student will be able to compare the volume and recovery potential of waste and side streams with current mainstream technologies and understand the environmental and sustainability impacts of waste feedstocks compared to fossil feedstocks.

Content

-A comprehensive exploration of waste and side streams, focusing on their properties, challenges, and potential for fuel production. An understanding of first, second, and third-generation biofuels based on their sources. A detailed overview of common key waste-to-energy and waste-to-fuel conversion processes.
-Processing of Triglyceride waste: An introduction to the topic, sources and characteristics of waste oils, processing methods, and an overview of the resulting products and their properties (FAME and HVO).
-Biomass conversion to biogas: Comprehensive overview of converting biowaste to biogas, Exploration of potential raw materials (manure, crops residue, MWS, landfill gas), Key processes such as pretreatment, digestion, purification, storage and utilization.
-Biomass residues and waste processing: Understanding of thermal techniques such as pyrolysis, gasification, Hydrothermal carbonization, Torrefaction for the processing of biomass residue and waste.
-Plastic waste processing: Introduction to mechanical and chemical recycling methods for plastics waste, an overview of different process such as pyrolysis, catalytic cracking, hydrothermal liquefaction of plastic waste, advanced treatment methods, Refining and upgrading recycled plastics to products.
-Future of waste streams: Discussion on potential and challenges in managing emerging waste streams, Importance of circular economy principles and sustainability, Relevance of different technologies for shaping the future of emerging waste streams.

Qualifications

Basic knowledge of chemistry and chemical reactions.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student can describe the composition of common waste and side streams, as well as how these can be processed into fuels. The student understands the possibilities and limitations of collecting, processing and treating the most common waste and by-streams. The student can describe sustainability and ethical considerations of raw materials and EU regulations regarding fuel production. The student knows the key fuel production processes that utilize waste and streams, including the raw materials, and the resulting products and their typical applications. The student can provide information about conditions, yields and raw materials used in these processes, as well as the different stages involved (e.g., pretreatment, processing, purification, and further refining). The student understand the scale and significance of fossil fuel production in modern society, along with the potential of waste and side streams in current processes and their potential future applications. The student can describe typical advantages, challenges, and future prospects of utilizing waste and side streams in fuel production.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student demonstrates the ability to describe typical composition and chemical structure of waste and side streams, as well as their potential for processing into fuels. The student will understand the potential and limitations of waste and side streams collection, processing, volumes and treatment. The student will be able to explain the sustainability of waste raw materials as well as the ethics and EU regulation. The student possesses knowledge of commercial fuel production processes that leverage waste and side streams, an understanding of the raw materials, and the resulting products and their primary applications. The student can describe in detail the conditions and raw materials required for these processes, and outline the main steps involved. The student comprehends the scale and significance of fossil fuel production in modern society, recoginizes the potential of waste and side streams within existing processes and their future applications. The student can describe the most typical advantages, challenges and future perspectives of the recovery, use and production of waste and side streams and can critically evaluate them.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student can describe in detail the composition and chemical structure of waste and side streams and how they can be processed into usable fuels. The student will understand the potential and limitations of the collection, processing, volumes and treatment of different waste and side streams. The student will be able to explain the sustainability of raw materials and the ethics and EU regulation of their treatment and fuel production. The student possesses in-depth knowledge of the key fuel production processes that utilize waste and side streams. The student can explain in detail about the raw materials, and the resulting products and their typical applications. The student can thoroughly describe the process conditions, yields, raw materials, and catalysts used, as well as the different stages of the process such as e.g., pretreatment, processing, purification, and further refining. The student understands the scale and significance of fossil fuel production in modern society, while recognizing the potential of waste and side streams in current industrial processes and their potential future applications. The student is able to describe the typical benefits, challenges, and future prospects of utilizing, and producing fuel from waste and side streams. The student has a good knowledge of critical evaluation and analysis of the topic and is able to showcase a nuanced perspective on this emerging field.