95936 - Circular Economy: Basics and Implications

Learning outcomes

Provide fundamentals about green and circular economy priorities and the economical, environmental and social implications associated with their adoption in the major industrial sectors and in the management of infrastructures and the natural patrimony. Basics and industrial implications of the integrated valorization of the waste types of the most relevant biological and non-biological value chains will be presented, also in cooperation with industrial experts, along with the ones associated with the use of alternative resources.

Course contents

The major topics covered by the course are:

1)The Green and Circular Economy: basics, status of implementation and impacts;

2) The European Green Deal and the European Implementation Action Plan on Circular economy: main contents and implications;

3) Industrial efficiency improvement, also via digitalization;

4) Quantity and major features of most prominent waste streams generated by the main non bio- and bio-based industrial value chains, as well as by the Municipalities;

5) Biowaste: their sources, features and potential use. Biowaste biorefinery: concept, its exploitation in the sustainable production of biobased chemicals, materials and energy and its relevance in the frame of the European Biobased and Green economy. Biofuels and biobased chemicals production from biowastes. Case studies on the production of Biobased fine chemicals, ingredients, materials and polymers and biofuels from agro-food and municipal effluents and wastes.

6) Wastewater Biorefinery and circular water economy;

7) Circular blue growth, and seas and oceans as sources of alternative and renewable resources;

8) Mining and petroleum waste: major features and novel exploitation pathways;

9) Non ferrous, steel and electronic waste: major features and novel exploitation pathways;

10)Construction, ceramic and demolition wastes: major features and novel exploitation pathways;

Possible visits at industrial facilities and/or circular economy tailored exhibitions are foreseen.

Readings/Bibliography

The use of the teaching material provided by the Professors and made available in the virtual platform of the course is suggested.

Teaching methods

Class lectures

Assessment methods

Achievements will be assessed by the means of a final exam. This is based on an analytical assessment of the "expected learning outcomes" described above. In order to properly assess such achievement the examination is composed of an oral session, consisting of a technical conversation on the topics covered by the lessons delivered in the class. Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subjects and a high ability to efficiently and critically present them.

To obtain a passing grade, students are required to at least demonstrate a knowledge of the key concepts of the subjects, some ability for critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language.

A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Fabio Fava