UnitLevel 6Postgraduate

CHE6882 Biomass and biorefineries

Faculty of Engineering

CHE6882 Biomass and biorefineries is a level 6, 0-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2021 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
0
Offered in 2021
Semester 2
Clayton
Assessment
No exam
5 tasks
Workload
144 hours
per semester

This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before CHE6882

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After CHE6882

No unit lists CHE6882 as a prerequisite in the 2021 handbook.

Enrolment rules

You must be enrolled in the Engineering PHD program or with permission from the Faculty of Engineering

Overview

The unit covers biomass reaction engineering including kinetics, reaction/mass transfer limitations, selectivity, improving reaction rates, and homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. The role of biotechnology including enzymatic reactions, fermentation, selectivity will also be studied together with common separation liquid and liquid-solid separation processes.

Global concepts relevant to biorefineries will be emphasised including the carbon cycle (micro and macro perspectives), overall sustainability of water, energy, and minimising by-products from biorefineries.

Offerings in 2021

Teaching periodCampusMode
Second semesterClaytonOn campus

Assessment

  • Moodle quizThreshold hurdle
    10%
  • Case study 1Threshold hurdle
    20%
  • Case study 2Threshold hurdle
    20%
  • Executive group reportThreshold hurdle
    20%
  • Final assessmentThreshold hurdle
    30%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Analyse new developments in fundamental aspects of biorefineries by identifying the main pathways of chemical conversion within biorefineries, the resulting products and their applications.

  2. 2

    Critically evaluate and critique new advances and applications for biorefineries from a technical perspective to devise a strategy based on the economic factors, safety considerations and environmental impacts and use them to inform engineering decision-making.

  3. 3

    Research, analyse and recommend an appropriate biorefining approach for various biomass feedstocks.

  4. 4

    Review and critique recent biorefinery research literature to systematically synthesise the findings and insights to design a solution to a problem and/or the project.

  5. 5

    Create and analyse experimental data to produce an accurate and detailed report

Workload and teaching

  • Practical activities22 hours
  • Lectures13 hours
  • Teaching approachProblem-based learning
  • Teaching approachOnline learning
  • Teaching approachActive learning

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 4-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-8 hours independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Students are encouraged to take a broad perspective on the fundamental aspects of biorefineries and to use this knowledge to assess real-case industrial problems and recommend solutions.

All lectures have been recorded and will be available online through Moodle. Students are required to attend the virtual practical class (via Zoom) every week during the semester.

The unit consists of lectures, practice classes, and a group project. Learning in the unit is mainly through lecture materials, book chapters and contemporary journal papers which will be supplied throughout the semester. For some of the assignment problems, there are no right or wrong answers, but students will be expected to provide solutions based on application of theory taught in the class or given through reading materials. The practical classes will be run online in discussion model, both individual and as group discussion.

Learning resources

Technology resources

Zoom
Students will be required to have their own device for Moodle quiz and to access the online materials and resources for this unit.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Professor Gil Garnier
Chief Examiners
Professor Gil Garnier

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for CHE6882?

CHE6882 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is CHE6882 offered?

In 2021, CHE6882 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.

How much work is CHE6882?

The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does CHE6882 have an exam?

No. CHE6882 has 5 assessment tasks and no exam.

More details

Credit points
0
Level
6
Study level
Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Organisational unit
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Type
HDR
EFTSL
0
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available