Biofuels (5 ECTS)

Objective

The student has a comprehensive understanding of common biofuels and applications. The student can describe the chemical structure of biomass, its functional groups and the most typical reactions involved in the production of biofuels. The student understands the significance of current fossil fuel-based fuel and chemical production, as well as process steps and unit operations of the most common processes. The student is capable of outlining the most common methods and processes for biofuel production, highlighting their fundamental differences. The student can identify various renewable raw materials suitable for fuel production, describe their applications, and explain how their properties can be modified to better meet specific end-use requirements. The student possess a general understanding of the properties of various biofuels, their most suitable applications, and their future potential.

Content

-Current fuels landscape / state of art: fuels today (liquid, solid, gaseous, applications, sustainability, fuel properties/standards, emissions), oil refinery vs. biofuels production.
-Introduction to biofuels: common types of biofuels, sustainability and environmental benefits, applications, biofuel properties.
-Biomass chemistry: Components of biomass (lignocellulose, fats and lipids, sugars), key reactions, chemistry of biomass conversion and catalysis.
-Biofuel processes: general overview of production processes, platform chemicals derived from biomass and their transformation into fuels and products.
-Biomass monomer production and pre-treatment: methods, sugar conversion to ethanol, non-sugar monomers derived from lignin and conversion
to products, triglyceride upgrading (FAME, HDO). Processes, product properties and applications.
-Gasification: Fundamentals of gasification process (chemistry, reaction pathways), types of reactors, gas conditioning processes and products.
-Production and applications of Synthesis gas/Syngas: Core reactions and pathways for syngas generation, hydrogen production and its
significance, methanol process, Fisher-Tropsch synthesis (reactions and products, catalysts, reactors).
-Bio-oils production and upgrading: introduction to biomass pyrolysis and liquefaction, typical products and their properties, reactors and
processes, upgrading of bio-oil (hydrotreating and other techniques).

Location and time

The course must be completed within the implementation period, but otherwise, the content and assignments can be done independently at any time and place.

Materials

All course-related materials will be distributed via the Moodle workspace.

Teaching methods

The course in Moodle is conducted in English and can be completed independently within the course period, without being tied to a specific time or place. The course consists of materials shared in Moodle (articles, lecture slides, recorded lectures, and other online resources), Moodle assignments, and exercises. All materials, as well as the assignments and exercises to be assessed, are completed and submitted in the Moodle workspace.

Employer connections

Does not include practical training or collaboration with working life.

Exam schedules

The course consists of Moodle exercises and assignments that can be completed at your own pace during the course implementation period. There is no on-site exam in the course.

International connections

-

Completion alternatives

N/A

Student workload

5 ECTS = 135 hours
Theory: 80 hours
Assignments and exercises: 55 hours

Content scheduling

-

Further information

-The use of AI to support learning is recommended, for example, for reviewing implementation materials and brainstorming content.
-AI can be used for idea generation and correcting writing errors, but the content of the assignment must be written independently. The use of AI must be mentioned, including where and how it was utilized in completing the assignment.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student understands the structure of biomass and be able to describe the main components and how these can be used in the production of biofuels. The student understands the scale and importance of oil refining and fossil fuel production in today's society. The student is able to list the main biofuel production processes and the raw materials, products and their typical uses.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student can describe the main components and other common constituents of biomass and can explain how these are utilized in biofuel production. The student understands the scale and significance of oil refining and fossil fuel production in modern society. The student also understands the sustainability and environmental challenges associated with current production and how biofuels can help to alleviate these issues. The student can explain the importance of fuel properties and standardization and understand the connection between fuel composition, engine manufacturing, and emissions. The student can describe the typical benefits, challenges, and future prospects of biofuel use and production. The student knows the key processes, raw materials, and products used in biofuel production and their typical applications. The student is familiar with the basic information about process conditions, yields, raw materials, and catalysts, as well as the stages of the process.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student understands of the structures, primary components, and key molecules found in different types of biomass, as well as their most common reactions in biofuel production. The student is knowledgeable about the possibilities and limitations of biomass harvesting, cultivation and yield. The student can critically explain the sustainability and ethics of raw materials in biofuel production using case examples and literature. The student has a deep understanding about the scale and significance of oil refining and fossil fuel production in modern society, as well as the potential of renewable biomass in various applications. The student understands the sustainability and environmental challenges associated with current fossil fuel-based production, the main points of EU legislation, and how biofuels can help meet the EU’s renewable energy and climate emission targets. The student can explain the importance of fuel properties and standardization and understand the connection between fuel composition, engine manufacturing, and emissions. The student can describe the typical benefits, challenges, and future prospects of biofuel use and production and can critically analyze these using sources. The student knows the key processes, raw materials, and products used in biofuel production and their typical applications. The student can detail the conditions, yields, raw materials, and catalysts used in the processes, as well as the different stages of the process (e.g., pretreatment, processing, purification, and upgrading).

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student understands the structure of biomass and be able to describe the main components and how these can be used in the production of biofuels. The student understands the scale and importance of oil refining and fossil fuel production in today's society. The student is able to list the main biofuel production processes and the raw materials, products and their typical uses.

Assessment methods and criteria

The final grade is based on the points obtained from exercises and assignments:

Grade 1: 50-59 points
Grade 2: 60-69 points
Grade 3: 70-79 points
Grade 4: 80-89 points
Grade 5: 90-100 points

Qualifications

Basic knowledge of chemistry and chemical reactions.