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CE50218: Resource conservation: the bioeconomy

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Chemical Engineering
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Exam (2 hours) (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Description: Aims:
To provide advanced understanding of the technologies and processes by which renewable material resources can be transformed into fuel, materials and chemicals to build a viable bioeconomy.
To develop students' knowledge, understanding and skills in critically evaluating process alternatives and selecting process routes based on technical, economic, environmental, legislative and logistical criteria.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit the student will be able to:
* understand the key technical, social/legislative, economic and environmental challenges and opportunities of a bioeconomy and the multiple stakeholders involved.
* conceptualise complex bioprocess and logistics chains and describe, explain and discuss advanced technologies and processes for the use of renewable resources in the production of chemicals, materials and fuels.
* critically evaluate and select from alternative feedstocks, technologies and processes based on technical, economic, environmental, legislative and logistical criteria/requirements.

Skills:
The ability to:
* conceptualise complex bioprocess and logistics chains and an awareness of the stakeholders involved along these (T, F, A)
* specify, critically evaluate and select from alternative feedstocks, technologies and processes (T, F, A).
* deal with novel scenarios, solve problems and make decisions in the face of incomplete or uncertain information (T, F, A).

Content:

* Introduction to the bioeconomy: Concepts and overview of the challenges and opportunities.
* Renewable material resources for the bioeconomy (1st, 2nd generation and beyond, including waste as feedstock): Classification, characteristics and enumeration. Global stock. Challenges in transformation; technical, social, political.
* Bioproducts, market needs and opportunities: classification and characteristics of bioproducts, case studies to illustrate needs and opportunities; impact of policy changes, public perception.
* Thermochemical, chemical and biological technologies for the transformation of feedstocks.
* Bioprocesses to produce chemicals, materials and fuels.
* Selecting processes and plant based on technical, economic, legislative logistical and social criteria/requirements.
* Waste as a resource and barriers to the development of a waste-based bioeconomy.
* Biorefineries: principles and case studies.
* Raw material logistics chains.

Programme availability:

CE50218 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Chemical Engineering

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.