2025
Bioenergy and Biofuels
Name: Bioenergy and Biofuels
Code: EME10990L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Electrotechnical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The primary goal of the course unit (CU) is to provide students with knowledge on the conversion of solid, liquid, and gaseous biomass into energy and biofuels. By the end of the CU, the student should:
a) Understand the importance of bioenergy and waste valorization;
b) Characterize biomass from an energy perspective and calculate its energy potential;
c) Know the main processes of converting biomass into thermal energy, electricity, and biofuels;
d) Perform mass and energy balances in biomass conversion systems;
e) Execute calculations involving heat engines;
f) Know the legislation, tax implications, and environmental aspects related to the conversion of biomass into biofuels and bioenergy;
g) Use specific software for the design of biomass systems.
The student will develop the following skills:
h) Oral and written communication;
i) Autonomy;
j) Critical thinking;
k) Creativity;
l) Teamwork.
a) Understand the importance of bioenergy and waste valorization;
b) Characterize biomass from an energy perspective and calculate its energy potential;
c) Know the main processes of converting biomass into thermal energy, electricity, and biofuels;
d) Perform mass and energy balances in biomass conversion systems;
e) Execute calculations involving heat engines;
f) Know the legislation, tax implications, and environmental aspects related to the conversion of biomass into biofuels and bioenergy;
g) Use specific software for the design of biomass systems.
The student will develop the following skills:
h) Oral and written communication;
i) Autonomy;
j) Critical thinking;
k) Creativity;
l) Teamwork.
Contents
1. Bioenergy overview in Portugal and the World: Statistics. Strategies.
2. Biomass as an energy source: Concept of bioenergy. Sources and distribution of biomass. Properties of biomass. Energy potential of virgin and residual biomass. Conversion processes. Uses of bioenergy and biofuels.
3. Management and treatment of agricultural and agro-industrial effluents and waste: Characterization and production volumes. Collection and storage systems. Treatment and valorization.
4. Biomass pre-treatment: Separation. Dehydration and drying. Size reduction. Densification. Torrefaction. Chemical and physico-chemical processes. Biological processes.
5. Biofuel production: Production of bioethanol, biomethanol, biodiesel, and biogas.
6. Thermal energy production from biomass: Combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis.
7. Electricity production from biomass: Rankine, Brayton, Otto, Diesel, mixed and combined cycles. Cogeneration.
8. Legislation applied to the biomass sector.
2. Biomass as an energy source: Concept of bioenergy. Sources and distribution of biomass. Properties of biomass. Energy potential of virgin and residual biomass. Conversion processes. Uses of bioenergy and biofuels.
3. Management and treatment of agricultural and agro-industrial effluents and waste: Characterization and production volumes. Collection and storage systems. Treatment and valorization.
4. Biomass pre-treatment: Separation. Dehydration and drying. Size reduction. Densification. Torrefaction. Chemical and physico-chemical processes. Biological processes.
5. Biofuel production: Production of bioethanol, biomethanol, biodiesel, and biogas.
6. Thermal energy production from biomass: Combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis.
7. Electricity production from biomass: Rankine, Brayton, Otto, Diesel, mixed and combined cycles. Cogeneration.
8. Legislation applied to the biomass sector.
Teaching Methods
Teaching and learning are structured around both theoretical and theoretical-practical classes. In theoretical classes, various course topics are presented using audiovisual resources and appropriate software, which adds dynamism to the sessions. Theoretical-practical classes focus on presenting and discussing student work and solving problems, providing practical examples of the topics covered, while ensuring the necessary theoretical framework is provided.
The teaching and learning methodologies for this course unit incorporate a range of diverse activities to enhance student learning, including:
- Project development (problem-based learning);
- Use of software for sizing energy systems;
- Oral communication (presentation of work, discussion, and argumentation);
- Discussions that stimulate critical thinking;
- Autonomous work, both individual or group-based;
- Field visits and presentations by specialists, whenever possible.
The teaching and learning methodologies for this course unit incorporate a range of diverse activities to enhance student learning, including:
- Project development (problem-based learning);
- Use of software for sizing energy systems;
- Oral communication (presentation of work, discussion, and argumentation);
- Discussions that stimulate critical thinking;
- Autonomous work, both individual or group-based;
- Field visits and presentations by specialists, whenever possible.
Assessment
The assessment consists of the following components:
- Participation in lectures, field visits, and classroom discussions on the proposed topics, with the preparation of a written report [D];
- Written assignment on a specific topic to be presented in [R];
- Project work with the presentation of a technical report [P];
- Tests [T1, T2] or final exam [E].
If the student chooses the continuous assessment option, the final grade [FG] is calculated as follows:
FG = 0.10 x D + 0.20 x R + 0.20 x P + 0.15 x T1 + 0.35 x T2
If the student chooses the final assessment option, the final grade [FG] is calculated as follows:
FG = 0.10 x D + 0.20 x R + 0.20 x P + 0.50 x E
Minimum grades:
- For T1, T2, and E: 7.5/20
- For D, R, and P: 10/20
- Participation in lectures, field visits, and classroom discussions on the proposed topics, with the preparation of a written report [D];
- Written assignment on a specific topic to be presented in [R];
- Project work with the presentation of a technical report [P];
- Tests [T1, T2] or final exam [E].
If the student chooses the continuous assessment option, the final grade [FG] is calculated as follows:
FG = 0.10 x D + 0.20 x R + 0.20 x P + 0.15 x T1 + 0.35 x T2
If the student chooses the final assessment option, the final grade [FG] is calculated as follows:
FG = 0.10 x D + 0.20 x R + 0.20 x P + 0.50 x E
Minimum grades:
- For T1, T2, and E: 7.5/20
- For D, R, and P: 10/20
Teaching Staff
Certificações
