BIOMASS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY - 2026/7

Module Overview

Biomass processing technologies or biorefineries include a wide range of options, including biochemical, thermochemical and catalytic reaction technologies. Starting from the core reaction technologies, a biorefinery flowsheet includes separation and purification to multi-products, and utility and reagent recovery systems. This module aims to develop conceptual design skills from unit operations through to integrated flowsheets and techno-economic analysis, using leading innovations in the field and spreadsheet-based models

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

AMINI HORRI Bahman (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes:

1. Biomass & Biorefinery Concepts

• Types of biomass: lignocellulosic feedstocks, agricultural residues, organic wastes
• Biomass composition (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) and recalcitrance
• Role of biomass in producing energy, chemicals, and materials
• Biorefinery concept and configurations (analogy to petroleum refinery)
• Overview of biorefinery products and value chains
• Sustainability and net-zero considerations (introduced as a cross-cutting theme)

2. Thermochemical Processing

• Combustion and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) fundamentals
• Gasification and syngas production
• Pyrolysis (fast/slow) and bio-oil generation
• Syngas conversion processes: Fischer¿Tropsch synthesis, methanol synthesis
• Process conditions, reactor types, and performance metrics
• Environmental considerations and energy efficiency

3. Biochemical Processing (e.g., Bioethanol)

• Pre-treatment methods (steam explosion, acid/alkaline treatment)
• Hydrolysis (enzymatic and acid) and fermentable sugar production
• Fermentation processes (bioethanol and organic acids)
• Microbial kinetics: Monod kinetics and applications
• Yield, conversion, and process limitations (e.g., inhibition, dilute broth)

4. Bio-based Chemical Production & Platform Chemicals

• Definition and role of platform chemicals
• Key examples: succinic acid, HMF, levulinic acid
• Conversion pathways from biomass to chemicals
• Comparison with petrochemical routes (technical and economic perspectives)
• Industrial relevance and emerging applications

5. Hydroprocessing & Upgrading

• Upgrading of bio-oils and intermediates
• Catalytic processes (hydrotreating, hydrocracking)
• Fuel and chemical quality improvement
• Integration with upstream conversion processes
• Role of catalysts and reaction engineering principles

6. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems & Energy Integration

• CHP systems in biorefineries
• Heat integration and energy recovery strategies
• Process integration (mass and energy flows)
• Efficiency improvement and waste heat utilisation
• Role of CHP in sustainable process design

7. Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA)

• Framework for evaluating biomass processing systems
• Mass and energy balance integration
• Equipment sizing and cost estimation
• Economic metrics: CAPEX, OPEX, NPV, IRR
• Sensitivity analysis and process optimisation
• Link between technical design and economic feasibility

8. Biorefinery Industry Landscape & Future Outlook

• Global biorefinery developments and trends
• Policy drivers and sustainability regulations
• Emerging technologies and innovation pathways
• Circular bioeconomy and waste valorisation
• Challenges and opportunities for commercialisation

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

• Learning outcomes 1, 5 on Coursework

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Coursework, 100%. Design and techno-economic analysis of biorefinery systems – process modelling, mass and energy flow analyses, equipment sizing and costing, comprehensive economic analysis and environmental feasibility analysis.

Formative assessment and feedback

The students will receive feedback on their learning, in-class tutorial, problems and coursework.

Module aims

• Learn the processes and technologies to produce energy, chemical, and material products based on biomass processing.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Present up to date technologies for biomass processing combined with problem solving sessions giving opportunity for group work and discussion. The topic will be addressed on process level by calculating the key parameters for specific biomass conversion technologies and in a wider context by identifying a network associated with a biorefinery enabling maximal utilisation of regional biomass potential.

The learning and teaching methods include:

2 hours combined lectures/problem solving sessions per week x 11 weeks 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM215

Other information

We are committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas.

Employability – The module provides students with comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge and experience within the Biorefinery field. The module also provides students with first-hand experience with problem-solving in the Spreadsheet environment. The experience gained from this module is deeply valuable for someone looking to move into a sustainability-related role, especially those looking to conduct alternative process system design for a career.

Digital Capabilities – This module provides students with first-hand experience with a leading biorefinery resource: DOI: 9781118698129. The experience gained with this module is transferrable to process designs and sustainability evaluations. Moreover, the calculations can be conducted on spreadsheets. This develops skills in formula application and this experience is valuable for other aspects of work and life, not just within Biorefineries. Moreover, the module requires students to produce computer-aided process engineering and report, which helps develop digital capabilities.

Sustainability – This learning will take place through gaining first-hand experience in conceptual alternative process design and evaluations for sustainability. Students primarily learn about the benefits that a certain biomass-based product or process may have. Students will also learn about the impact a product or process may have on society or the economy.

Resourcefulness and Resilience – The module requires students to develop independence and proactivity skills throughout. It requires students to conduct their research and develop their perseverance skills. During the module, students will need to apply agility, self-awareness and teamwork skills to complete the summative and formative assessments. Finally, the summative assessment requires students to develop their proactivity and independence skills.

Global and Cultural Capabilities – This module helps build global and cultural capabilities through the Coursework that requires the appreciation of global and cultural contexts, opportunities and constraints.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.