Biorefinary

Base Knowledge

Biochemical Engeneering. Fermentation Technology.

Teaching Methodologies

Theoretical lessons with practices involving demonstration in laboratory or pilot units.

Learning Results

Main products obtained from fossil materials and their use.
Current use of polymers and fuels from minerail oils.
Biomass chemical composition and main pathways of its conversion in products.
Possibilities of use of biotechnological techniques in getting new technologies to use biomass in the replacement of products derived from oils.
Know the limitations and challenges of each of the technologies (products from oil and biotechnology), especially in the contribution that biotechnology can give to their evolution.

Program

Introduction to the concept of Biorefinery
Biomass: chemical composition and physical properties. Thermal decomposion of biomass: pyrolysis for bio oil production and syngas. Fischer-Tropsch process. Fermentation of syngas. Biogas: Production from the waste and recycling.
Cellulose decomposition by enzyme/acids. Natural Models: the digestive system of termite and rumimants.
Hemicellulose: hydrolysis, uses. The degradation of lignocellulosic materials. Other fermentations: Production of butanol (ABE).
Biofuels: Use of sugar cane and of cereals for ethanol production.
Municipal waste. Composition. Use as a source of raw materials for the production of fuel.
Methods for ethanol preparation: alcoholic fermentation. Technology: continuous process, batch. Yeast. Immobilization of yeast for continuous processes.
Fatty acid esters (biodiesel).
Biopolymers: Polymers substitutes of plastics: production of polyhydroxyalcanoates – PHA.

Grading Methods

During the semester
  • - written test - 50.0%
  • - Practical work - 50.0%

Internship(s)

NAO

Bibliography

LA BIOMASA: Fundamentos, Tecnologías y Aplicaciones, A. Damien. Enc. LIBRERIA LICITEC. MADRID. 2009
Brewery handbook. Tumba, Sweden: AlfaLaval, 1999
Tecnologia alimentar / Cerveja / Bebida alcoólica / Produto fermentado / Q01 B CDU: 663.27
Economics and environmental impact of bioethanol production, Wyman, 1999; Lynd, 2004; Herrera; Annual Rev. Energy Environ. 25: 199-244.
OILS AND FATS AUTHENTICATION, ed. Michael Jee. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2002