BIO337 Biogas Technology

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Svein Jarle Horn

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk, norsk

Limits of class size:20

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:

Lectures: 20 hrs

Excursion: 7 hrs

Individual work with assignment: 98 hrs

Total: 125 hrs

Teaching and exam period:The course has teaching in June and assessment (submission of semester assignment) in the autumn parallel.

About this course

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
  • Prerequisites
    BSc in Biotechnology, or equivalent.
  • Recommended prerequisites
    Some understanding of biochemistry (KJB200) and microbiology (BIO230)
  • Assessment method
    Assignment. Pass/not pass on semester assignment.

    Term paper Grading: Passed / Not Passed
  • Examiner scheme
    External exanminer evaluates the semester assignment.
  • Mandatory activity

    Lectures (minimum 80% participation).

    Excursion.

  • Teaching hours
    Teaching 5 days in June
  • Admission requirements
    Special requirements in science