Course content

4 hours of lecturing per week, divided into 2 double classes. 1 hour of guidance with exercises per week. It is assumed that the students will use approximately 3 hours per week on exercises, and approximately 4 hours on self-studying per week.

Renewable biomass resources (forests, annual/biannual plants, other biological raw materials).
Structure and properties of plant raw materials, including wood.
Chemical composition of the raw material, and relevant chemical reactions.
Biofuels manufacture, biorefining.
Biocomposites and other materials from renewable resources.
Industrial processes based on biological raw materials.

Learning outcome

At the end of the subject, the students should know:
-Have good knowledge about available resources for plant-based industrial raw materials.

- have extensive knowledge about chemical composition and energy content of plant raw materials.

-Have good knowledge about the most relevant chemical reactions happening during industrial conversion of plant-based raw materials to energy carriers, chemicals and materials.

-Have extensive knowledge about current industrially produced biofuels and which fossil fuels they replace.

- HAve good knowledge about the most relevant biofuels which are regarded as alternatives to current biofuels.

-Have good knowledge about most relevant manufacturing processes for first and second generation biofuels.

-Have good knowledge about structure and properties of biocomposites and other materials from renewable raw materials.

-Be able to calculate the energy yield in various processes for biofuel manufacture.

-Be able to calculate the carbon yield in various processes for biofuel manufacture.

-Be able to perform mass and energy balance in selected processes based on biological raw material.

-Be able to perform a qualified evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of various processes for biofuel manifacture.

-Be able to preform basic calculation for sizing of bioreactors used for biofuel manufacture.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, individual studies and exercises. Some of the exercises will be compulsory laboratory exercises (ca.4+8+4 hours over three days) that need to be passed to give access to the exam. voluntary theory- and exercises is approximately once per week.

Compulsory assignments

• Laboratory exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Equivalent to 3rd year level studies at the Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology study program at NTNU.

Required previous knowledge

Basic chemistry, physics and chemical engineering.

Course materials

Drapcho, C.M., Nhuan, N.P., Walker, T.H. (2008): "Biofuels Engineering Process Technology", McGraw-Hill, ISBN 978-0-07-148749-8.
In addition will other chapters from other books be used (given at studystart).

Credit reductions