C9524 - BIOMASSE E LORO VALORIZZAZIONE

Learning outcomes

The student gains knowledge about environmental issues in general and specifically related to converting plant biomass into energy and chemical products. The course will be enriched with important and up-to-date concepts and examples of green chemistry and sustainability in industrial processes. The teaching aims to introduce topics and issues related to the transformation of plant biomass into energy and chemical products. By the end of the course, the student will have learned the basic principles and main issues related to the production of chemicals and energy, as well as the role of biomass as a renewable raw material. Additionally, the student will know how to approach the various aspects of utilizing natural substances in different sectors of the chemical industry.

Course contents

Fossil and renewable raw materials.
Platform molecules for the chemical industry, comparison between the different technologies available from various fossil and renewable raw materials.
Utilization of natural substances: an introduction to chemistry, processes, and economic aspects.
The concept of biorefinery.
Main strategies for converting biomass into energy and bioproducts.
Biochemical transformations and biogas production.
Thermochemical conversion.
From biomass to chemicals through platform molecules.

Readings/Bibliography

It’s not necessary to buy any specific textbooks. The material presented during the course and to support individual study will be made available on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/).

Some introductory parts of the course are included in the book:
F. Cavani, G. Centi, M. Di Serio, I. Rossetti, A. Salvini, G. Strukul "Foundations of Industrial Chemistry" Zanichelli Publisher 2022.

Teaching methods

Learning will be assessed with an oral interview of 30-40 minutes through an integrated discussion of at least three topics covered. Of particular importance will be the student's ability to make interdisciplinary connections, use technical-scientific terminology, and discuss case studies described during the course.

AI can be a helpful tool to support individual study with deep dives, summaries, and self-assessment paths. As far as learning assessment goes, during the in-person exam, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Assessment methods

Learning will be assessed with an oral interview of 30-40 minutes through an integrated discussion of at least three topics covered. Of particular importance will be the student's ability to demonstrate interdisciplinary connections, the use of technical-scientific terminology, and the discussion of case studies presented during the course.

AI can be a useful tool to support individual study with in-depth insights, summaries, and self-assessment paths. As for learning assessment, during the in-person exam the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

The course takes place through lessons and practical activities held in the classroom, with the lessons recorded via Panopto. The activities in the course also make use of materials such as PowerPoint presentations, videos, and interactive whiteboards; all the teaching materials are accessible to students on the teaching platform https://virtuale.unibo.it/.

Inclusion and Support

Students with learning disabilities (DSA) or other disabilities can access the University's support services and arrange personalized teaching and assessment methods.

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Albonetti