74006 - Biorafineries and Sustainability

Academic Year 2023/2024

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Ravenna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Environmental Assessment and Management (cod. 5900)

Learning outcomes

The student will be aware of the advantages and main issues of the use of biomass for the production of platform chemicals for the chemical industry and biopolymers for the materials industry. She/he will know the main platform chemicals and the main bioplastics on the market, and the synthetic strategies to obtain them. The student will also acquire knowledge on the different generations of biomass: first-generation or food crops, second-generation or waste biomass/non-edible crops, and third-generation or micro and macroalgae.

Course contents

1) characteristics and chemical composition of first, second and third generations of biomass

2) pre-treatments for valorizing second generation biomasses

3) solvents and principles of sustainable chemistry for biomass valorization 

4) synthesis and characteristics of the main platform chemicals from renewable sources: ethanol, lactic acid, succinic acid, furans

5) synthesis and characteristics of the main biopolymers and principles of biodegradability in the environment

6) microalgae and technologies for their valorization

7) labs aimed at learning techniques for the production of biofuels, biopolymers and platform chemicals


Readings/Bibliography

Biomass Valorization - Davide Ravelli and Chiara Samori
Wiley-VCH, 2021

Teaching methods

Lecture slide handouts will be available for students

Reading lists will be provided as appropriate to support lectures

Visits to companies working in the bioenergy/biorefinery field 

Lab experiences: specific training on safety and health is mandatory for attending the lab (i.e. Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode and the participation in Modules 3). Information on the dates and methods of attendance of the specific training modules can be consulted in the appropriate section of the study course website.

Assessment methods

Oral exam

Teaching tools

Students who need compensatory tools for reasons related to disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) can directly contact the Service for Students with Disabilities (disabilita@unibo.it) and the Service for Students with learning disabilities (dsa@unibo.it) to agree on the adoption of the most appropriate measures.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Samorì