Module Details

Module Code: ENVR E9Z02
Full Title: Bio-Energy 1
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 7.5
Module Owner:: Wayne Doherty
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: This module provides students with a detailed knowledge of how energy can be generated from waste residues and biomass and to give students awareness and knowledge of associated legislation, policies, traditional approaches and emerging technologies.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Critically evaluate global patterns of biomass use and identify solid, liquid and gaseous biomass resources.
MLO2 Appraise the environmental impact of current and future energy sources and uses.
MLO3 Examine, evaluate and apply the fundamental principles, operating criterias and design options for the conversion of biomass to bioenergy.
MLO4 Evaluate recent advances in bioenergy technologies.
MLO5 Interpret and compare national and international policies and apply the major legislative and regulatory instruments in relation to bioenergy and solid waste management.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Introduction to Biomass
The energy problem: sources of biomass, patterns of global biomass use and overview of legislation and policies. Fundamentals of biomass: biomass types and composition, moisture content, energy content and fuel properties, resource quantification, biomass fuel standards.
Biomass Pre-treatment and Supply Chain
Biomass Pre-treatment: moisture reduction, size reduction, densification, fuel quality and standards. Biomass Supply Chain: forestry wood and energy crops, delivery and storage.
Thermochemical Conversion
Combustion: basics and stages/steps of combustion, parameters influencing combustion, combustion process control, domestic, commercial and industrial scale biomass combustion technologies, co-firing biomass with fossil fuels, waste-to-energy combustion plants. Gasification: basics, gasifier technologies and operating parameters, gasification plants. Pyrolysis: fast pyrolysis technologies for the production of bio-oil, applications of bio-oil, development status and plants. Applications: process heat/district heat, CHP, Electricity only, steam engines and turbines, gas engines and turbines. Novel and emerging technologies.
Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion process basics and stages/steps, feedstock types, operational parameters, co-digestion, digester types, energy generation, biogas cleaning and upgrading for biomethane grid injection, landfill gas, associated legislation.
Transport Biofuels
Feedstocks, transesterification for production of biodiesel, pure plant oil production, fermentation for production of bioethanol, novel production technologies, liquid biofuel quality issues and engine performance and modifications, legislation and regulatory instruments, global utilisation and production, sustainability and environmental impact of transport biofuels.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work30.00%
Final Examination70.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Laboratory practicals and an industrial site visit will serve to reinforce the material covered in lectures.
Students will be assessed through the use
of written reports, practical evaluations
and/or class tests.
No Project
No Practical
Final Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 70
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
A repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture Every Week 2.00 2
Practical Contact Laboratory practical Every Third Week 1.00 3
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 6.00 6
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Learner Workload 12.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
This module has no Part-time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • van Loo & Koppejan. (2008), Biomass Combustion & Co‐firing, Earthscan.
  • Spliethoff H. (2010), Power generation from solid fuels, Springer.
  • Basu. (2013), Biomass Gasification, Pyrolysis and Torrefaction - Practical Design and Theory, 2nd. Elsevier.
  • Al Seadi et al.. (2008), Biogas Handbook, University of Southern Denmark.
  • Deublein & Steinhauser. (2011), Biogas from Waste and Renewable Resources: An Introduction, Wiley.
  • Speight. (2015), Biofuels Handbook, Royal Society of Chemistry.
  • Luque. (2016), Handbook of Biofuels Production - Processes and Technologies, 2nd. Woodhead Publishing.
  • Cengel & Boles. (2014), Thermodynamics an engineering approach, 8th. McGraw-Hill.
  • DGS & Ecofys. (2005), Planning and Installing Bioenergy Systems: A guide for installers, architects and engineers, James & James.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources