Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course, students should be able to:
1. Identify any ten (10) biomass raw materials;
2. State at least six (6) compositions and common chemical reactions of biofuel;
3. Highlight five (5) properties of biomass-based reaction systems;
4. State five (5) properties of biofuels, bio-based chemicals and bio-based materials;
5. Describe two (2) manufacturing processes for biofuels, bio-based chemicals and bio-based materials;
6. Demonstrate any two (2) simple engineering calculations for biomass-based reaction systems; and
7. Suggest at least three (3) suitable process configurations for biomass-based production processes or sub-processes.
Course Contents
Biomass, Bio-Energy and Bio-Refinery. Basic concepts of circular economy based on organics. Biomass: Properties and types. Biomass: constituents at molecular level, at chemical level, energy properties. Biomass typologies: lignocellulosic, starchy, sugary, oilseeds. Sewage sludge and manure. Biofuels: liquid (biodiesel, bioethanol). Gaseous (syngas, biogas). Solid (charcoal and biochar). Biomass conversion: Physical conversion. Dewatering, drying, size reduction, steam explosion, densification, pelleting, chipping, oil extraction. Biomass conversion: Chemical conversion. Oil trans-esterification (biodiesel production). Hydrolysis. Biomass conversion: Biochemical conversion. Anaerobic digestion (biogas production from organic waste and wastewater). Fermentation (bioethanol production). Reaction stoichiometry. Reaction kinetics. Reaction thermodynamics. Reactors. Process analysis and design. Biomass conversion: Thermochemical conversion.
- Teacher: Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma