73286 - Biotechnology Development of Organic Waste and Effluent M

Learning outcomes

The aim of the Course is to provide basic knowledge about the development, set up and assessment of the main biotechnological processes for the biotechnological production of biofuels, chemicals and biomaterials from organic waste and civil/agro-industrial effluents.

Course contents

Requirements/Prior knowledge

A prior knowledge and understanding of organic chemistry is suggested to attend with profit this course. This knowledge can be aquired through the Course "Organic Compounds and Environmental Monitoring", which is proposed at the third year of the First cycle degree/Bachelor in Environmental Engineering at the University of Bologna.

Furthermore, microbiology and biotechnology basics are also suggested. This knowledge can be aquired through the Course “Microbiology And Biotechnology For Depollution M”, which is proposed at the first year of the Second cycle/Two year Master in Environmental Engineering at the University of Bologna.

Fluent spoken and written Italian is a necessary pre-requisite: all lectures and tutorials will be in Italian. Some suggested literature will be in English.

Course contents

Biorefinery: biotechnological approaches for the integrated valorization (via fine chemicals, biomaterials and bioenergy production) of fine chemicals, biomaterials and microbial biopolimers from organic waste and by-products, surplus and agro-industrial effluents;

Biotechnological production of biofuels: state of the art and perspectives;

Biochemical, microbiological and technological aspects related to bioethanol, biohydrogen and biomethane industrial production from organic waste and by-products, surplus and agro-industrial effluents (also lignocellulositic waste);

Production of chemicals and biomaterials from organic and agro-industrial waste;

Biochemical, microbiological and technological aspects related to the recovery and to the biotechnological production of fine chemicals, biomaterials and microbial biopolimers from organic waste and by-products, surplus and agro-industrial effluents.

Readings/Bibliography

Material used by the Professor in the class

Glazer & Nikaido (2007) Microbial Biotechnology, WH Freeman and Company, New York.

R. Ulber, D. Sell (2007) White Biotechnology , Vol. 105 of the series Advances in Biochemical Engineering / Biotechnology , Springer, EU and USA.

Teaching methods

In-class lectures will be held, supported by power-point slides

Assessment methods

The examination consists in an oral exam, during which the student has to answer to three specific questions concerning topics presented during the Course

Office hours

See the website of Fabio Fava