This course focuses on bioproduction of fuels and chemicals as a sustainable, environmentally friendly and low cost route. This bioproduction can contribute to decreased greenhouse gas emissions, by replacing petrochemical route and also fulfil the global goals on the use of renewable energy.

You will be provided with advanced knowledge of the sources of biomass available for production of a range of high value chemicals and technologies used for conversion of the biomass. The course  covers characteristics of biomass as potential feedstock, bioproduction of fuel and chemicals, types of biorefineries, conversion processes and existing technologies. In addition, an introduction to the Biorefining concept will be provided..

At a glance

  • Dates
    • Please enquire for course dates
  • DurationFive days
  • LocationCranfield campus
  • Cost£1,700 The course fee includes refreshments and lunch during the day. Accommodation is not included and must be booked separately. 10% discount applies if booked 8 weeks in advance. 10% discount for 3rd and subsequent delegates from the same company/site. Discounts can be combined.

Course structure

The Biofuels and Biorefining course is held over one week. The course included theoretical lectures which are complemented by practical tutorials. All delegates will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the end of the course.

What you will learn

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Identify the range of biomass resources/biowastes/agro-industrial wastes available for biofuels and biochemicals production,
  • Critically evaluate a range of technologies and biorefineries available for biofuels and biochemicals production from biomass and analyse the potential for future reduction in costs through technological development,
  • Explain the main theoretical concepts and practical implementation associated with bioproducts engineering systems,
  • Identify the high-value products that can be obtained from biomass feedstock,
  • Construct simple biorefining schemes and critically evaluate the potential of biorefining processes.

Core content

Raw materials for production of bio-based chemicals, characterization and assessment

  • Biofuel feedstocks and characteristics: starch- and sugar- based biomass, oleaginous-based biomass, lignocellulosic biomass, glycerol and algae,
  • Sugar, Fatty acid, and Syngas platforms technologies

First generation biorefinery

  • Bioethanol production,
  • Biobutanol production.

Biodiesel production

  • Biodiesel production technologies: biochemical, and catalytic and non-catalytic chemical processes,
  • Biodiesel production: biochemical aspects,
  • Biodiesel production: chemistry and thermodynamic aspects. 

Lignocellulosic biorefinery

  • Bioethanol production,
  • Bioproduction of succinic acid,
  • Bioproduction of 2,3-Butanediol,
  • Bioproduction of Lactic acid.

Algal Biorefineries

  • Technologies for microalgal biomass production,
  • Algal biofuels conversion technologies,

Food waste biorefineries

  • Manufacturing Platform Chemicals from food wastes.

Glycerol-based Biorefineries

  • Bioproduction of 1,-3-Propanediol,
  • Bioproduction of 3-Hydroxypropionic acid.

AD-based biorefineries

  • Biofuel production by AD,
  • Possible feedstocks and challenges.

Biorefining

  • Classification of Biorefineries,
  • Economic, social and environmental impacts of biorefining.

Commercial biorefineries

Upgrade to a professional qualification

This short course is a module of the MSc in Biofuels Process Engineering.

Who should attend

The course will be of particular interest to process, project and consultant engineers involved in bioenergy, petrochemical and chemical industries. The course would be also of benefit for researchers who need to understand the background of their research, and managers who want to understand technical issues to aid decision making in the biofuels sector.

Speakers

Dr Raffaella Villa


Accommodation options and prices

This is a non-residential course. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information regarding our accommodation on campus can be found here.

Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world.

For further location and travel details

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford 
MK43 0AL

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.