OVERVIEW

The class provides the knowledge  on the main unit operations and reactor schemes adopted in  bio-waste to bio-fuels and waste to energy processes and on the related environmental and health risk due to chemicals.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is mainly centered on the environmental and health  issues related the chemical  processes for  biofuels production and waste-to energy.

Students will be able to write a basic feasibility study on processes for the production of biofuels or energy from biomass and wastes, by choosing the most appropriate methodologies and technologies to compare the processes and by analyzing their potential environmental impact.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and active participation in the proposed training activities (lectures, external activities in lab, on field or on industrial plants) and individual study will allow the student to:

- characterize  the necessary steps to assess feasibility of waste to energy and bio-waste to bio-fuel processes;

- define the main parameters to assess risk due to chemicals for  waste to energy and bio-waste to bio-fuel processes;

- define main operating variables for the evaluation and comparison of waste to energy and bio-waste to bio-fuel processes;

- carry out a practical activity and write the related report (since this course is offered in the second semester of the last academic year, students can choose as an application example on which to apply the acquired knowledge also the experimental, industrial or laboratory activity chosen for the development of their master thesis).

PREREQUISITES

For a successful learning, basic knowledge of chemistry is required, but no formal prerequisites are foreseen.

TEACHING METHODS

The course provides lectures (with the help of slides provided by the teacher), visits to industrial plants and/or laboratory – field activity (optional).

Theoretical contents (15 hours) and practical activity (18 hours), alternate visits (15 hours, depending on plants availability) aimed at encouraging the learning and discussion of specific bio-waste to energy and bio-waste to bio-fuel processes.

Transversal competences as autonomy of judgment will be acquired during the development of the proposed feasibility project, to be carried out individually or in a group;  communication skills will be acquired during the oral examination (presentation of the project work).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Overview of the principal processes for waste to energy and bio-waste to bio-fuel (anaerobic digestion, transesterification, pyrolysis, gasification, fermentation, landfill mining);

Classification of the sources - natural release, controlled release during operation, continuous / discontinuous release during start-up, accident; Difference between known or unknown sources.

Parameters and models to assess risk (ERA and HHRA) and related legislation;

Chemical and physical unit operations and principal reactors schemes (DSTR, CSTR, series-parallel, PFR, bubble column, airlift); BATs;

Main variables to assess feasibility (conversion, yield, selectivity, operating conditions, stability of process parameters, environmental impact, safety and energy consumption);

Visits to industrial plants with dedicated lectures.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Course handouts and slides supplied by the teacher (full bibliography with suggested books is also contained)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

OMBRETTA PALADINO (President)

PATRIZIA PEREGO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2019

Class schedule

REACTION ENGINEERING OF BIOFUELS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exercise (carried out individually or in group, taking a cue from the industrial plant visit or from the laboratory/field activities proposed by the teacher or carried out during the master thesis work) and oral examination (theory and discussion of the written exercise).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Written exercise: a real feasibility study is posed and must be carried out individually or in team. It is used to evaluate the ability of the students to discriminate between the different processes, to propose the correct process and operating conditions, to basically assess the main environmental impact.

Oral examination: questions about the written exercise and theory.

It is used to evaluate the contribute of each student inside the team work and about the application of theory to a real case study.

Exam schedule