BAE 542 Biofuels and Bioproducts (3.0 Credit Hours)
Course Description:
BAE542 is designed for undergraduate seniors and graduate students who are interested in biofuels and bioproducts. In this course, we will explore the history and current status of biofuels and bioproducts development, the policy drivers and stakeholders, current industrial players, mainstream processing technologies, and future research themes. Expanding the technical aspects, this course will cover biochemical conversion techniques for producing bioethanol, biobutanol, biodiesel, biogas, and other advanced biofuels/bioproducts and thermochemical conversion techniques towards syngas, bio-oil, and biochar, etc. Along with in-class and online lectures, you will gain hands-on practices on how to make biofuels during the lab/project sections.
Prerequisite: Minimum of Junior level standing in an Engineering discipline. Students from non-engineering majors may take this course but should contact the lecturer before signing up.
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course students should be able to:
1. Describe how biofuels are produced via biochemical or thermochemical conversion processes
2. Find and explain the fuel properties associated with each biofuel, and know the associated fuel standards
3. Solve related engineering problems in biofuels production, including analyzing the factors that lead to the failure of the conversion process
4. Describe the complications and challenges associated with current biofuels technologies
5. Discuss current policies and incentive considerations in the context of first- and second-generation biofuels
6. Discuss main bioproducts associated with a biorefinery
7. Identify the major players in the biofuels industry and be able to analyze their underlying base technology.
Additional Learning Outcomes: In addition, at the completion of this course, the student should be able to intelligently discuss the following issues as they relate to liquid biofuels:
1. Food vs. fuel
2. Global warming/ carbon credits
3. Net energy gain/loss from fuel production
4. Environmental benefits and cost of biofuels
Textbook:
(Optional) Robert C. Brown and Tristan R. Brown. 2012. “Why are we producing biofuels? Shifting to the ultimate source of energy.” Brownia Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-0-9840906-3-1 ISBN-10: 0-9840906-3-0
(Optional reference book) Biorenewable Resources. Engineering New Products from Agriculture (Second Edition). Robert C. Brown & Tristan R. Brown 2014. Iowa State Press. ISBN-13: 978-1118524954, ISBN-10: 1118524950
Homework: Homework will be assigned regularly, to be gone over in class the next class period after due day. In order to gain the most from the course, it is essential that you attempt the homework before we go over them in class, so you can identify your areas of misunderstanding.
Midterm Exam: The Midterm Exam will be closed notes and closed book. Anything from the assigned readings or from class may be on the exam. I will give the midterm exam during a class period, and you will have one hour and 15 minutes to complete the test.
Mid-term grades will be posted in myUK by the deadline established in the Academic Calendar (http://www.uky.edu/Registrar/AcademicCalendar.htm).
Lab Projects: The projects will entail going to the lab and making different biofuels. Instructions for the projects and grading requirements will be handed out at the appropriate time during the course. You must take the mandatory training before working in lab. Here is a link to the online training classes site http://ehs.uky.edu/classes/. Below is a list of all courses you must take and send copies to the instructor.
1. Hazardous Waste Training
2. Chemical Hygiene Plan
3. Fire Extinguisher Use
4. Emergency eyewash and shower station use and inspection
5. First Aid
Group presentation: Our Group Project Presentation will address non-petroleum chemicals or bioproducts from a biorefinery perspective. It is expected that you pair with your classmate as a team, each team identifying one possible chemical or bioproduct.
Reading Assignments: In addition to assigned reading from the textbook, graduate students will be assigned journal articles to read, and some questions to answer over the reading material. These readings are not required for undergraduates, but you are highly encouraged to read them to supplement your understanding of the in-class material.
The Final Exam is cumulative, covering material from second half of the semester. You must be able to demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the material from the entire course, and apply the material to an actual problem or life event. The Final Exam will be closed notes and closed book. Anything from the assigned homework or from class may be on the exam.
The final exam will be given during finals week at the time determined by the UK finals exam schedule in the regular meeting room (http://www.uky.edu/registrar/calendar).
Lecture (Lab) Topic:
Course introduction and Biofuel introduction
Alternative energy
Chemistry: alcohols and carbohydrates
Fuel Properties
Enzymes
Enzyme kinetics
Grain ethanol – I
Grain ethanol – II
Lab I-Starch based ethanol
Lab I-Starch based ethanol
Anaerobic digestion (Dr. Barzee)
Biodiesel (watch video on-line, no class)
Renewable Resources Discussion - I
Renewable Resources Discussion - II
Cellulosic biomass feedstock availability, composition, size reduction and densification
Brewery Tour
Cellulosic biomass pretreatment
Enzymatic conversion and ethanol fermentation
Lab II-Lignocellulosic ethanol: Part I-NaOH pretreatment
Lab II-Lignocellulosic ethanol: Part II-enzymatic hydrolysis & fermentation
Gasification, pyrolysis, & biomass liquefaction
Syngas & bio-oil upgrading
Tour of CAER - Pyrolysis & Gasification
Thermochemical Discussion - I
Microbial fuel cells & bioproducts overview
Environmental and economic impacts of biofuels
Group presentation