Courses
Sustainable fuels
Course overview
This course presents an overview of the sustainable fuels policy in the EU and covers the production processes of 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation biofuels from several raw materials. Students will learn the various techniques of biofuel production through chemical/thermo-chemical and biochemical synthesis. Furthermore, they analyze hydrogen production technologies and their current context. They will also get a deeper knowledge of the integration of biological, chemical and thermal processes and valorization of biorefinery by-products.
Course content
- Sustainable fuels policy in the EU
- Common aspects and potentials of sustainable fuels
- Raw materials for their production
- Eco-efficiency and sustainability of biofuels: environmental, ecological and socio-economic factors.
- First generation sustainable fuels: bioethanol, biodiesel, biomethane and biohydrogen.
- Second and third generation sustainable fuels: chemical/thermo-chemical synthesis (Fischer-Tropsch, gasification and pyrolysis of biomass), biochemistry (enzymatic, photosynthetic and heterotrophic unicellular organisms).
- Greener technologies: supercritical fluids.
- The current status of hydrogen production
- Potential routes for the production of hydrogen and hydrogen-based products: natural gas, coal, biomass and electricity.
- Biorefineries: integration of biological, chemical and thermal processes and valorisation of by-products.
Methodology
The course follows a theoretical and practical model: Exercises and lectures on theoretical concepts alternate with practical examples and case studies. Students can obtain the learning material in advance. Students can clarify their individual questions in tutorials.
Assessment
- Final test at the end of the semester.
- Presentation and discussion of a written report on a topic of the program.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students:
- understand the technical, economic and environmental impacts of the production and use of sutainable fuels.
- know how to describe the various types of raw materials used in the production of these fuels.
- understand the concept of biorefinery as well as the integration of biological, chemical and thermal processes.