BSEN40560 Biorefinery Process & Tech

Academic Year 2024/2025

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.

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Curricular information is subject to change

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: Analyse 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
Lectures

24
Tutorial

6
Specified Learning Activities

48
Autonomous Student Learning

26
Total

104
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Delivery: In-person lectures encouraging student participation

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 Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Exam (In-person): Final written exam n/a Graded No

60
Group Work Assignment: Business Plan for a Biobased Product: Presentation and Report n/a Graded No

40

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
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The tutorials for this module will involve group work. These will be interactive, discussion-based tutorials and students will receive group feedback as they work through the tutorial. Students will be required to present the results of their group work towards the end of the semester, group feedback will be provided after this assessment.

Recommended textbook: R. Paul Singh and Dennis R. Heldman. Introduction to Food Engineering. 5th Edition
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