This course offers a systems approach to understand energy systems that include a bioprocessing step, such as anaerobic digestion, anaerobic fermentation, microbial fuel cells, and photobioreactors with algae. It focuses on biomass-to-bioenergy conversion, including introduction to major treatment steps, such as pretreatment steps, fermentation steps, and product separation steps. The course integrates physics, engineering, environmental impacts, economics, and sustainable development. Different energy generation technologies will be compared to gain an understanding of the advantages and limitations of these technologies.
During the first course, the theory of environmental biotechnology is taught by lectures. During the second course, the students prepare their own design of a sustainable environmental biotechnology system during a group-based cooperative learning effort.
Taught by: Lars Angenent