Module Details

Module Code: CIVL9006
Title: Biofuel and Biomass Technology
Long Title: Biofuel and Biomass Technology
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5822 - Civil Engineering
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
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:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Assess the production of biofuels and biomass under a number of criteria, including sustainability and ethical issues.
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.
Dependencies
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 MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
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
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
 
Indicative Content
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. Ethical issues, including the food versus fuel debate will be highlighted.
Hydrogen
Methods of production, utilisation, distribution of gaseous fuel.
Electric Vehicles
Logistics of implementing; electric vehicle infrastructure, availability of vehicles, sources of electricity, transmission losses from the grid, sustainability criteria.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework30.00%
End of Module Formal Examination70.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Critically appraise various fuels and energy technologies and undertake a waste and energy audit.
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 70
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
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.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of course content Every Week 2.00 2
Lecture Contact Problem solving Every Second Week 0.50 1
Independent Learning Non Contact Revision of lecturing material and prepartion of assessment material Every Week 4.50 4.5
Total Hours 7.50
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.50
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of course content Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Problem solving Every Second Week 0.50 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Revision of lecturing material and preparation of assessment material Every Week 4.50 4.5
Total Hours 7.50
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • 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.
  • Teagasc. (2015), Miscanthus Best Practice Guidelines, [ISBN: 1-84170-611-].
  • Teagasc. (2015), Short Rotation Coppice Willow Best Practice Guidelines, [ISBN: 1-84170-610-8].
  • George Tchobanoglous, Hilary Theisen, Samuel Vigil. (1993), Integrated solid waste management, McGraw-Hill, New York, [ISBN: 0070632375].
  • Ashok Pandey, Christian Larroche, Steven C. Ricke, Claude-Gilles Dussap, Edgard Gnansounou, and Claude-Gilles Dussap. (2011), Biofuels : Alternative Feedstocks and Conversion Processes, Elsevier Science & Technology, [ISBN: 9780123850997].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • SEAI. (2018), Energy in Ireland, SEAI.
  • SEAI. (2019), Renewable Energy in Ireland, SEAI.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_CCEEE_9 Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering (Environment and Energy) 7 Mandatory