Sustainable Resource Recovery (MLJ660)

This course introduce the fundamentals/basic theories and technologies for processing of organic wastes to biofuels and biochemical products via biotechnological unit processes. Additionally, methodologies and concepts for valorisation of wastes, biotechnological processes and bioproducts are discussed towards the perspectives of circular economy.


Course description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Course code

MLJ660

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

English

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

NB! This is an elective course and may be cancelled if fewer than 10 students are enrolled by August 20th for the autumn semester.

This course provides the fundamentals/basics of processing of organic wastes to various fuels and biochemical products through biotechnological process. This also includes terminology and methods for valorisation of organic wastes, bioproducts and technology for processing. The course also focuses on design of lab scale reactor systems and pilot plant demonstrations of several waste treatment methods. Industrial scale applications and methodologies are also presented. Biomass conversion by biochemical, thermo-chemical and integrative processing is necessary to achieve sustainable conversion of organic waste into valuable chemicals. This is an underlying principle used throughout the course.

Additionally, understanding of the commercial aspects of solid/organic waste management and treatment is discussed, with focus on sustainability and the circular economy.

Learning outcome

Students who successfully pass this course will gain knowledge and competence on the following subjects

  1. Principles and understanding of concepts for organic waste and biomass treatment/valorisation
  2. Commercial perspectives of waste-to-wealth concept
  3. Selection of suitable technologies for the optimum energy/chemical production from biomass
  4. Design and operation of energy/chemical production systems
  5. Critical evaluations of organic wastes and sustainability within the circular economy via various tools SWOT, TEA and LCA

Required prerequisite knowledge

Basics in Chemical/process Engineering

Recommended prerequisites

KJE260 Process Technology - Unit Operations, MLJ630 Separation and Purification Technology

Exam

Written mid-term exam and report

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Written mid-term Exam 1/2 3 Hours Letter grades
Report 1/2 1 Months Letter grades All

Mid-term Exam is by pen and paper. The report is written in groups.All assessment parts must be passed in order to obtain a final grade in the course.There is no resit possibilities for the midterm exam or report. Students who wish to re-take these parts, may do so the next time the course is taught.

Coursework requirements

Oral presentation

A compulsory, oral group presentation of the report must be approved in order to get the final grade in the course.

In cases of valid absence it may be possible to complete the oral presentation at other times, where agreed with the teaching staff. This is not an entitlement.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Gopalakrishnan Kumar

Coordinator laboratory exercises:

Liv Margareth Aksland

Method of work

Lectures 4 hrs/week (2+2). Exercises.

Open for

Admission to Single Courses at the Faculty of Science and Technology
Miljøteknologi - master i teknologi/siv.ing.
Exchange programme at Faculty of Science and Technology

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

The syllabus can be found in Leganto