Course code BIO337

BIO337 Biogas Technology

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Showing course contents for the educational year 2020 - 2021 .

Course responsible: Svein Jarle Horn
Teachers: Live Heldal Hagen, Trine Aulstad Sogn Tomasgaard, John Morken
ECTS credits: 5
Faculty: Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
Teaching language: EN, NO
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
Limits of class size:
20
Teaching exam periods:
The course has teaching in June block and assessment (submission of semester assignment) in August block. 
Course frequency: Annually
First time: Study year 2018-2019
Course contents:

Biogas is mainly a blend of methane and carbon dioxide, produced by microbial communities under anaerobic conditions. Biogas may be produced from all kinds of organic material, and used for production of heat, power and fuel or as a feedstock in chemical industry. A biogas process will also produce a nutrient-rich digestate which may be used as a fertilizer.

In this course, the student will learn the fundamentals of biogas technology, including topics like microbiology, process technology, modelling, digestate, pretreatment and industrial applications. The course sheds light on UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • 6-Clean water and sanitation
  • 7-Affordable and clean energy
  • 12-Responsible consumption and production.
Learning outcome:

Knowledge

The students should:

  • understand how biogas is made
  • know the main steps in the biogas process
  • know what digestate is
  • have an overview of different applications of biogas

Skills

The student should:

  • be able to draft a basic biogas process
  • understand the opportunities and limitations related to use of microbial communities

Competence

The student should:

  • be able to evaluate which feedstocks that are suitable for biogas production
  • communicate biogas topics, both in writing and orally
  • have a solid foundation for further studies in bioprocessing and biorefining
Learning activities:
Lectures, home studies, excursion, semester assignment.
Teaching support:

Canvas

E-mail: svein.horn@nmbu.no

Syllabus:
Lectures and selected articles.
Prerequisites:
BSc in Biotechnology, or equivalent. 
Recommended prerequisites:
Some understanding of biochemistry and microbiology
Mandatory activity:
Lectures  and excursion (minimum 80 % participation).
Assessment:
Continous evaluation. Pass/not pass on semester assignment.
Nominal workload:

Lectures: 20 hrs

Excursion: 7 hrs

Individual work with assignment: 123 hrs

Total: 150 hrs

Entrance requirements:
Special requirements in science
Type of course:
​5 hours per day for 4 days in June
Examiner:
External exanminer evaluates the semester assignment.
Examination details: Langsgående vurdering: Passed / Failed