| Title: | Biofuel and Biomass Technology |
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| Long Title: | Advanced Biofuel and Biomass Technology |
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| Field of Study: |
Civil Engineering
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| Valid From: |
Semester 2 - 2010/11 ( February 2011 ) |
| Module Coordinator: |
DES WALSH |
| Module Author: |
NIAMH POWER |
| Module Description: |
The module involves an advanced examination of biofuel and biomass production, conversion technologies, utilisation and logistical issues of developing large scale infrastructure. The sustainability criteria of biofuels and biomass are reviewed in the context of best international practice and current legislation. |
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| LO1 |
Have an advanced understanding of biofuel and biomass production. |
| LO2 |
Perform technical, economic and environmental comparisons of various energy systems. |
| LO3 |
Critically appraise logistical issues associated with implementing large scale biofuel and biomass energy production. |
| LO4 |
Apply sustainability criteria to various energy systems and evaluate the results. |
| LO5 |
Evaluate the potential of different fuels and energy technologies. |
| 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 CIT 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 |
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list. |
| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section. |
| No requirements listed |
Co-requisites
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| No Co Requisites listed |
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
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Biofuels
Advanced biofuel production and distribution for biofuels including pure plant oil, biodiesel, bioethanol and biogas. Process parameters and their effect on energy production including moisture content, volatile solids and alcohol content.
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Hydrogen
Methods of production, utilisation, distribution of gaseous fuel.
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Electric Vehicles
Logistics of implementing; electric vehicle infrastructure, availability of vehicles, sources of electricity, transmission losses from the grid, sustainability criteria.
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Biomass
Optimum biomass for the generation of heat and/or electricity including Miscanthus and wood products such as short rotation coppice. Potential energy which may be generated from various types of biomass including agricultural waste, sludge’s and municipal wastes. Technologies used for energy conversion such as pyrolysis and gasification.
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Life Cycle Analysis
LCA of various biomass and biofuels will be undertaken including items such as system boundaries and the scope of study. Greenhouse gas balance will also be performed on various energy systems.
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Sustainability Criteria of Biofuels and Biomass
The sustainability criteria of various biofuels including crop production, fossil fuels utilised in the production, gross and net energy of the fuel. Sustainability criteria will focus on legislative framework
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Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion of various biodegradable materials will be analysed. Process parameters and their effect on energy production, including temperature, pH, organic loading rates, and moisture content.
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
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| Course Work | 30.00% |
| End of Module Formal Examination | 70.00% |
| Course Work |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Project |
Critically appraise various fuels and energy technologies |
1,2,3,5 |
30.0 |
Week 7 |
| End of Module Formal Examination |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Formal Exam |
End-of-Semester Final Examination |
1,2,3,4,5 |
70.0 |
End-of-Semester |
| Reassessment Requirement |
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.
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The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Delivery of Course Content |
2.0 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
| Tutorial |
Problem Solving |
1.0 |
Every Second Week |
0.50 |
| Independent Learning |
Revision of lecturing material and prepartion of assessment material |
4.5 |
Every Week |
4.50 |
| Total Hours |
7.50 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
2.50 |
| This module has no Part Time workload. |
Module Resources
| Recommended Book Resources |
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- European Parilament and the Council 2009, Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, Official Journal of the European Union
- Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources 2010, National Renewable Energy Action Plan, DCENR Dublin
- Worldwatch Institute 2007, Biofuels for transport: global potential and implications for energy and agriculture, Sterline, VA: Earthscan [ISBN: 1844074226]
- George Tchobanoglous, Hilary Theisen, Samuel Vigil 1993, Integrated solid waste management, McGraw-Hill New York [ISBN: 0070632375]
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
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- SEAI, Howley M, Dennehy E, O Gallachoir B 2010, Energy in Ireland 1990-2009, SEAI Cork
- SEAI Dennehy E, Howley M, O Gallachoir, Barriscale A 2010, Renewable Energy in Ireland, SEAI Cork
- SEAI, Howley M, Dennehy E, O Gallachoir B 2009, Energy in Ireland, SEAI Cork
| | This module does not have any article/paper resources |
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| Other Resources |
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- Website: SEAISustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
- Website: DCENRDepartment of Communications, Energy and
Natural Resources
- Website: CERCommission for Energy Regulation
- Website: EPAEnvironmental Protection Agency
- Website: DECCDepartment of Energy and Climate Change
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Module Delivered in
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