Unit ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND BIOENERGY
- Course
- Molecular and industrial biotechnology
- Study-unit Code
- A005482
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Elisa Moretti
- Teachers
-
- Elisa Moretti
- Hours
- 52 ore - Elisa Moretti
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2025
- Offered
- 2025/26
- Learning activities
- Affine/integrativa
- Area
- Attività formative affini o integrative
- Academic discipline
- ING-IND/11
- Type of study-unit
- Opzionale (Optional)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italian
- Contents
- The course provides an overview of the main existing and emerging technologies for the production of energy and biomaterials based on biotechnological processes. The teaching approach combines theoretical lectures with case study analysis, best practices, and hands-on laboratory activities.
Key topics include:
the global and national energy scenario;
renewable energy sources, with a focus on solar systems and the role of bioenergy in the green transition;
characterization and pretreatment methods for second- and third-generation biofuels;
technologies for the production of bioethanol, biodiesel, biomethane, biohydrogen, and advanced biofuels;
production of biomaterials;
analysis and mitigation of environmental impacts from biotechnological plants, with particular attention to odorous emissions.
Laboratory activities are designed to support applied learning and include:
experimental tests on biomass conversion;
use of analytical tools for biomass characterization and environmental impact assessment.
Measurement of Odour impact of biotechnological plants. - Reference texts
- Teacher/Lecture Notes (pdf)
NREL characterization protocols and descriptive handouts of the analytical tools provided by the teacher; European standards for the evaluation of BMP (Bio-methanation Potential) and BHP (Bio-hydrogenation Potential) - Educational objectives
- The course aims to provide students with both theoretical and applied knowledge necessary to understand, analyze, and manage the main types of biotechnological systems for energy conversion and biomaterial production. Special emphasis is placed on renewable energy systems, particularly solar and bioenergy-based technologies.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
analyze the operating principles and configurations of systems for energy production from renewable sources (solar, biomass, etc.);
understand the biotechnological processes involved in energy generation and the valorization of biological resources;
assess the technical, economic, and environmental sustainability of biotechnological plants;
Understand the meaning of the main parameters and methods of biomass characterization Understand the operation of laboratory-scale devices (fermenters) for bio-methanation and bio-hydrogenation of biomass
understand techniques for measuring and mitigating certain environmental impacts of biotechnological installations, such as odour emissions.
identify and implement best practices through the study of real-world case studies.
The course includes theoretical lectures combined with practical exercises, case study analysis, and laboratory activities, aiming to develop both technical skills and transversal competences useful for professional practice and research. - Prerequisites
- In order to be able to understand and to apply the of the topics of the Course, students should know have the basic notions in chemistry, physics and the main laboratory techniques.
Knowledge of these notions is a mandatory prerequisite for attending the course with profit. - Teaching methods
- Theoretical lessons
Practical laboratory experiences and/or seminars
Field trips. - Other information
- Attendance is optional but highly recommended.
- Learning verification modality
- The exam consists of an oral test.
The oral test consists of an interview of about 30 minutes long in order to verify the knowledge level and the understanding capability acquired by the student on theoretical and methodological contents.
The examination will also check the student’s communication skills and his ability in the exposure of the theoretical aspects. - Extended program
- The program of the course is divided into the Training Units (U.F.) in the classrooms and in laboratory (U. LAB) described below:
(U.F. 1) Biotechnology for energy and sustainable development: The role of bioenergy- current status and future prospects; Biological processes for the production of energy and biofuels. Solar plants.
(U.F. 2) Raw materials for biotechnological plants: description of the main materials that can be used for energy purposes; types, classification, main chemical-physical characteristics and main properties.
(U.F. 3) Bioethanol production processes and technologies: description of methods and reactors for hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation.
(U.F. 4) Second-generation Bioethanol: Pretreatment processes and technologies: description of methods and reactors suitable for conventional and innovative physical and chemical pretreatment
(U.F. 5) Processes and technologies for the production of biodiesel: description of methods and reactors for the trans-esterification of methanol using glycerin; description of methods of production of second and third generation biodiesel using FT reactors.
(U.F.6) Biogas and biomethane production processes and technologies: overview of anaerobic digesters and technologies and processes for upgrading biogas to biomethane (membrane systems, osmotic systems, cryogenic systems).
(U.F. 7) Processes and technologies for the production of biohydrogen
U.LAB1 (in the laboratory) Biomass characterization: Evaluation of the availability of lignocellulosic fractions, estimation of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen content. Measurement of lower calorific value, moisture, content of inerts, extractives, ash and volatile solids.
U.LAB2 (in the laboratory): Evaluation of BMP (bio-methanation potential) and BHP (bio-hydrogenation potential): Quantification of BMP and BHP. Definition and control of the regulation parameters of fermentation processes (pH, Temperature, inhibitors)
U.LAB3 (in the laboratory): Processes and technologies for the production of biomaterials: reactors for the production of nanocrystalline cellulose, biopolymers and natural dyes.
U.LAB4 (in the laboratory): Measurement and mitigation of the odour impact of biotechnological plants: methods of measuring the odour impact of organic biomass through dynamic olfactory analysis (UNI EN 13725:2004). - Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile
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