Introductory description

The concept of “one world living” has stimulated a demand for sustainable feedstocks and resources for a range of industrial applications . Economic and government policies have generated a market for “first generation” biofuels, however, there are growing public concerns that the crops used as feedstock for these fuels are utilising land mass more suited for food production and are therefore not truly sustainable. The development of a truly sustainable “second generation” biofuel is ongoing and there is increasing interest to exploit plants as feedstock’s for other industrial applications via the development of bio-refineries. There is a need to take account of ethics and increasing competition for land use for different purposes in order to develop a sustainable future in which biologically based technologies will play an important role.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. Introduction. (Dr. G. C. Barker)

2. Initial analysis of impact of differing land use, sustainability of different biofuels in light of carbon emissions and agricultural practices. (Dr. R. Lillywhite)

3. Life-cycle analysis and economics justification. (Dr. R. Lillywhite)

4. Background. (Dr. G. C. Barker)

5. Biofuels or sustainable energy? (Dr. G. C. Barker)

6. 1st generation biodiesiel cleanliness. (Dr. G. C. Barker)

7. Advanced biodiesel. (Dr. G. C. Barker)

8. First generation bio-ethanol from sugar cane, sugar beet and wheat including economics, impact of price and sustainability. Cellulosic ethanol. (Dr. G. C. Barker)

9. Biomass crops. (Dr. G. C. Barker)

10. Sustainability of supplies –the importance of balance. (Dr. G. D. Bending)

11. Algae. (Dr. G. C. Barker)

12. Cellulosics and alternative technologies for lignin breakdown. (Dr. G. C. Barker)

13. Concept of biorefining. ((Dr. G. C. Barker)

14. Adding value. ((Dr. G. C. Barker)
15. Biogas and fuel cells. (Dr. G. C. Barker)
16. Gussing example. (Dr. G. C. Barker)
17. Industrial biotechnology. (Dr. G. C. Barker)
18. Alternative technologies for lignin breakdown. (Dr. G. C. Barker)

19. Natural product function isolation and purification. (Dr. G. C. Barker)

20. Impact of public perception on demands and markets and what role should ethical consideration play? (This will be more of a tutorial than lecture). (Dr. G. C. Barker)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• LO1 Demonstrate understanding of the main issues with current processes in agriculture
• LO2 Demonstrate understanding of the different types of biofuels and sustainable energy, and current research techniques used to assess and analyse them
• LO3 Demonstrate understanding of new biotechnologies associated with climate, economic and governmental changes
• LO4 Demonstrate understanding of sustainability in process technologies production
• LO5 Demonstrate understanding of sustainability in feedstock production
• LO6 Demonstrate understanding of sustainability in energy production and use production

Indicative reading list

Some material will be provided on the module’s website (accessible via Moodle). In addition David MacKay FRS book is recommended; it is available free of charge on his web site www.withouthotair.com. Mark Lynas The God Species, and the December 2011 climate change committe report.

Subject specific skills

a. Demonstrate clear understanding of the scientific topic

b. Contain evidence of extended reading and lateral integration of material not covered in the lectures

c. Demonstrate independent thought and deep understanding

d. Specifically answer the set question using information from multiple lectures and sources

e. Be structured and formatted in a way that demonstrates understanding and logical flow

f. Use multiple sources to construct complex scientific arguments and integrating these to build and develop the student's own scientific conclusions.

Transferable skills

1. Critical appraisal of source material
2. Self directed learning
3. Adult learning