Technologies for Biomass Valorisation
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the student with the fundamental cognitive tools regarding the types of exploitable biomass and the related technologies for the procurement of both alternative energy sources (sustainable fuels, alternative combustion) and new chemical platforms for obtaining products that can be used in daily-life (cosmetics, food and fine chemicals)
Expected learning outcomes
Ability of recognition of the different types of biomass and their classification. Knowledge of the main biomass treatment technologies. Ability to evaluate the choice of raw material according to the purpose of the process. Ability to evaluate the sustainability of a process
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
· Technological development and sources of raw materials
o Chemical nature of feedstocks
o Feedstocks characterization
o Main technologies and current processes.
o Platforms and chemicals from biomass
o The Biorefinery System
· Biomass pre-treatment technologies
o Types of pre-treatments and trends
o Termochemical processes: Bio-oil and bio-char
o Environmental and economic aspects
· Thermocatalytic processes for biomass conversion
o Pyrolysis of biomass
o Gasification of biomass
o Hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass
· Algal-derived, oils and fats biocrudes
o Microalgae biomass
o Culture techniques
o Pure plant oil and bio-lipids
o Production of biodiesel from microalgae and oils
o Bioethanol, biomethane, biohydrogen
· Ligno-cellulose-based chemical products
o Cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin
o Preatreatment technologies
o Ligno-cellulose platform: chemicals and fuels
· Volatile Solid compounds for energy production
o Preatreatment and bio degradability
o Food and garden redisues
o Digestion systems and chemical conversion
o Chemical nature of feedstocks
o Feedstocks characterization
o Main technologies and current processes.
o Platforms and chemicals from biomass
o The Biorefinery System
· Biomass pre-treatment technologies
o Types of pre-treatments and trends
o Termochemical processes: Bio-oil and bio-char
o Environmental and economic aspects
· Thermocatalytic processes for biomass conversion
o Pyrolysis of biomass
o Gasification of biomass
o Hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass
· Algal-derived, oils and fats biocrudes
o Microalgae biomass
o Culture techniques
o Pure plant oil and bio-lipids
o Production of biodiesel from microalgae and oils
o Bioethanol, biomethane, biohydrogen
· Ligno-cellulose-based chemical products
o Cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin
o Preatreatment technologies
o Ligno-cellulose platform: chemicals and fuels
· Volatile Solid compounds for energy production
o Preatreatment and bio degradability
o Food and garden redisues
o Digestion systems and chemical conversion
Prerequisites for admission
no pre-requisities are needed
Teaching methods
Frontal and participatory lessons
Teaching Resources
Slides supplied by the Teacher
Book text:
1. Bioenergy Research: advances and applications,
Eds. V.K.Gupta, M.G.Tuohy, C.P.Kubicek, J.Saddler, F.Xu
Elsevier, 2014
2. Biorefineries and chemical processes
Eds.J.Sadhukhan, K.S.Ng, E.Martinez H.
Wiley, 2014
Book text:
1. Bioenergy Research: advances and applications,
Eds. V.K.Gupta, M.G.Tuohy, C.P.Kubicek, J.Saddler, F.Xu
Elsevier, 2014
2. Biorefineries and chemical processes
Eds.J.Sadhukhan, K.S.Ng, E.Martinez H.
Wiley, 2014
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination in which a process is discussed based on the expected learning outcomes
CHIM/03 - GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Prati Laura
Professor(s)