After this course you will be able to:

• Choose proper (chemical) pre-treatment and conversions to arrive at the required products
• Conceptually design a biorefinery process
• Critically evaluate a process design with respect to energy and feedstock efficiency
• Compare that design with fossil-based processes
• Know how to activate/disentangle and separate biobased feedstocks

Module 1: Introduction to Biorefinery
In this introduction module you will get acquainted with the general concepts of biorefineries. Use our diagnostic test to check if you need to get additional information before starting with the next module.

Module 2: Biomass and Biorefineries
Let's take a closer look at biomass, what components can be found in them and how to get these out as value-adding compounds. This module focuses on the refinery of naturally occurring compounds, such as oils and proteins.

Module 3: Conversion
In this module we zoom in on fermentation as a bioconversion method. Based on the case of the acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation by Clostridium species, we will illustrate the use of fermentation in biorefineries.

Module 4: Downstream Processing
This module highlights several methods used to separate fermentation broth into different streams. You will learn how to effectively get your product out!

Module 5: Process Evaluation and Improvements
Let's zoom out and look at the biorefinery process as whole. Find out how you can improve a process with respect to energy use, side-streams recovery, and economics.

Module 6: Case Study: Process Design
You will learn to use the flow-sheeting software SuperPro Designer to design a bio-butanol process. You will look at the different steps needed to convert and separate the product. In addition you will look at a biorefinery process and propose relevant improvements using the knowledge acquired in the course.

" This course shows how biomass can be used most efficiently and teaches the usefulness of the biorefinery concept further. It gave me more insights in the technologies that are required for the transition to a biobased economy. After following this course, I wanted even more strongly to make this transition happen.”
Judith

" This course was really interesting and promising for you to know more about biomass conversion to valuable products of chemical, material and energy. "
Rizka