Biocombustíveis

Objectives

At the end of this course the students should have learned the production processes, properties and use of solid, liquid and gaseous biofuels and should have developed the capacity to understand the technical, economic and environmental impacts of the production and use of biofuels.

Syllabus

1.Biofuels: challenges and risks.Strategic overview; 2. Fuels and combustion. Biofuels versus fossil fuels; 3.First generation biofuels. Raw-materials, production processes, properties and uses of solid,liquid and gaseous biofuels; 4. Biofuels role within the renewable energies - Portuguese and European legislation framework. GHG emissions. Eco-efficiency and sustainability of biofuels. ILUC concept.Integrated process strategies – one way to increase the global energy efficiency. Industrial examples. Advanced biofuels (2nd and 3rd Generation): Refused derived fuels, advanced biofuels produced by chemical and thermochemical routes: hidrogenated vegetable oils (HVO), biomass pirolysis, gasification and liquefaction. Advanced biofuels produced by biochemical routes: enzymatic degradation of cellulosic materials: technological advances and future perspectives. fatty acids and oils produced by photosynthetic and heterotrophic unicellular organisms. Biorefineries.

Cross Competence Component

Interpersonal and intrapersonal skills: oral, organizational and teamwork and self-discipline ( preparation of questions, limited time for delivery, group project with deliver of the report and oral presentation), critical thinking (selection and analysis of alternatives and solutions), ability to locate, access and select information (data needed to solve case studies will be partly obtained by students from general access sources). It is estimated that 10 % of the assessment will cover transversal competences.

Programming And Computing Component

Excel

Ethical Principles

All members of a group are responsible for the group´s work. In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.