Explore UCD

UCD Home >

BSEN40620

Academic Year 2024/2025

Biorefinery Process & Tech O/L (BSEN40620)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Ronald Halim
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will examine biorefinery systems for the production of bio-based products and bioenergy from a range of feedstock. Unit operations associated with pre-treatment, processing and separation/post-treatment steps will be reviewed. Various thermochemical, biological, and chemical pathways for the conversion of biomass into bioenergy will be critically analysed, particularly in terms of sustainability and commercial viability. A number of national and EU biorefinery projects currently being led or carried out at UCD (e.g. in grass biorefinery, in microalgae fuel production) will be presented by scientists carrying out the research, enabling cross fertilisation of ideas and enrichment of classroom learning. In addition, the module will consider innovation and market development challenges to bioeconomy implementation, integrating classroom learning into development of a bio-based product of choice. The module will culminate in the development of a business plan for the said bio-based product and a mock business pitch in front of a team of academics and industry representatives.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, the student should be able to;

Learning Outcome 1 (LO1): Define and evaluate a biorefinery in terms of efficiency, energy balance and mass balance

LO2: Describe conversion technologies for the production of bioenergy from a range of feedstock and critically assess their sustainability and entry barrier

LO3: Describe and assess key conversion technologies for the production of biobased products from a range of feedstock and determine their challenges and market opportunities,

LO4: Describe the impact of innovation and entrepreneurship in supporting the development of the bioeconomy,

LO5: Develop a business plan and presentation pitch for a bio-based product of choice in a group setting, simulating seed-funding process by venture capitalists

Indicative Module Content:

1. Biorefinery Process
- Overview of the bioeconomy
- Energy, CAPEX, OPEX analyses

2. Business Plan and Presentation
- Value proposition
- Business model canvas
- Scoping exercise for a bio-based product
- Writing a business plan

3. Biomass-to-bioenergy
- First generation vs second generation
- Thermochemical conversion route
- Biochemical conversion route

4. Biomass-to-bioenergy: in-depth analysis
- Torrefaction
- Pyrolysis
- Gasification
- Fermentation
- Transesterification

5. Green biorefinery: in-depth case studies
- Biorefinery 1: Grass
UCD projects: farm4more, Agrefine
- Biorefinery 2: Microalgae
UCD projects: AlgaeBrew, SusAlgaeFuel
- Biorefinery 3: Invasive Plants
UCD project: Stalwart

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

48
Autonomous Student Learning

26
Lectures

24
Tutorial

6
Total

104

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Delivery:
Asynchronous online lectures. Lecture recordings will be uploaded to Brightspace to allow for flexible engagement and learning.
Synchronous Tutorial/catch-up sessions. This will be delivered in webinar style to facilitate real time interaction for students available at the scheduled session.

Assessments:
Groupwork and problem-based learning for report and presentation.
Online final exam.

All communications and materials uploaded via Brightspace


Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Business Plan for a Biobased Product: Presentation and Report Week 12 Graded No

40

 No
Exam (Online): Final Exam Week 14 Graded No

60

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Deirdre Blake Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tamíris Da Costa Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ronald Halim Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ajay Iyer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Joseph Sweeney Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.