Course description
From Fossil Resources to Biomass: A Chemistry Perspective
Join this course if you want to learn how to create a sustainable future by moving away from dependence on fossil resources to biomass resources for the production of food, chemicals and energy-carriers. You will learn what biomass is, how to produce biomass renewable energy- and biomass fuel and how to make biobased products.
You will get a solid understanding of how chemistry works in a biobased economy and in the production of biomass renewable products. Your valuable knowledge will help your company drive into sustainability and actually make the transition to use biomass resources to produce biobased products.
You will learn about the products that can be derived from biomass and the processes used to do so.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Prerequisites:
To optimally learn in/from and complete the complete MicroMasters Program we expect you to have a bachelor degree in social sciences (preferably business-, or economics). However, there is no formal entry level requirement for this MOOC.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you'll learn
- Understand the basic chemical and technological concepts underlying the biobased value chain
- Understand the factors and methods that can influence production of biobased crops
- Understand how the composition and chemical nature of biomass fractions determines the processing steps within a biorefinery
- Understand the potential of microorganisms for the production of biobased products.
- Explain how catalysis can contribute to a biobased economy
Training Course Content
Introduction to Biobased Sciences
Learn about the products that can be derived from biomass and the processes used to do so, compared to current fossil based products and processes.
Biomass Production
A biobased economy runs on biomass. It is therefore important to understand which factors play a major role in crop growth, yield formation and quality. In this module you'll learn to identify design criteria for the production of biobased crops on both a crop and farm level.
Biorefinery
Biorefinery deals with the challenge of extracting valuable biomass components and converting them to final products. To achieve this you first need knowledge of the different types of biomass, the molecules present and their chemical characteristics. Biorefinery is all about efficient processing.
Aspects of processing include the harvesting, pre-treatments, conversion and separation technologies.
Bioconversion
Learn how to convert molecules through microbial processes. Find out how to choose the right host organism and how choices in process design influence cell growth, substrate conversion and product formation.
Chemical Conversion
Explore catalytic conversion of biomass by discussing types of catalysts, special challenges for catalysis when converting biomass and the interplay of catalysis and up/down stream processes.
Course delivery details
This course is offered through Wageningen University & Research, a partner institute of EdX.
20-28 hours per week
Expenses
- Verified Track -$149
- Audit Track - Free