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Biomass Characterization

By Dr. Arun Kumar K   |   Central University of Kerala
Learners enrolled: 863

Credit :- 4
Intended learners: Post graduates who are studying programs such as environmental science, biology(botany, zoology), biochemistry, biotechnology, agriculture, forestry, chemistry and physics as well. And also for entrepreneurs and researchers who are interested in biomass energy production.  

Aim of this course: This course impart the skill and knowledge for converting various biomass feedstock into different energy forms.  

Scope of this course: There is an immense prospect in the biomass feedstocks to address the growing energy demands. However biomass recalcitrant that is not easy to break into simple sugars and varied physio-chemical attributes of biomass that is biomass growing at different regions, seasons and field conditions showing varied physio-chemical properties impede the biomass energy conversion process largely. Overall, this course provides overall information on concepts, tools and techniques for converting the different biomass into various energy forms for starting the biomass based energy production start-up.   

Prerequisites: Science gradates and other indented learners having basic knowledge in biomass, source of availability and biochemical constituents will largely support to learn the course successfully. 

Objectives of this course: 
Learners will understand the following:
1. Biomass resources 
2. Type of biomass and its recalcitrant  
3. Biomass sample preparation, methods of pre-treatments and characterization
4. Analyzing the biochemical and ultimate properties of biomass 
5. Methods of biomass energy conversion process 
Summary
Course Status : Completed
Course Type : Elective
Duration : 15 weeks
Category :
  • Biological Sciences & Bioengineering
Credit Points : 4
Level : Postgraduate
Start Date : 15 Jul 2019
End Date : 31 Oct 2019
Enrollment Ends : 10 Sep 2019
Exam Date : 09 Nov 2019 IST

Note: This exam date is subjected to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits



Course layout

Week 1
Biomass as a Resource; Advantages of biomass energy among alternative sources; Opportunities and Challenges

Week 2
Forms of biomass – Solid ;Forms of biomass –Liquid; Forms of biomass –  Gas

Week 3
Biomass Properties; Biomass Recalcitrant; Lignin

Week 4
Lignin content in various biomass; Non-ligno Cellulosic Biomass(Algae) and microalgae cultivation;Macro algae(seaweed) cultivation

Week 5
Algal Biomass Processing ; Algal industrial polymers; Characterization of Biomass (Tools)-1

Week 6
Characterization of Biomass (Techniques)-2;Biomass Sample Preparation; Proximate Analysis of prepared biomass

Week 7
Ultimate Analysis of Prepared Biomass; Thermochemical Properties of Prepared Biomass; Surface area and particle size distribution analysis (Rheological Properties)

Week 8
Extrative Methods of Processing; Pre-treatment Method of Processing; Thermochemical Properties of Digested/ pre-treated biomass

Week 9
Biomass hydrolization; Biomass- Combustion; Biomass -Gasification

Week 10
Pyrolysis and Liquefaction ; Fermentation-1; Fermentation-2

Week 11
Bio-hydrogen; Bio-methane generation; Electricity production

Week 12
By-product utilization; Biomass storage simulation; Biomass-Experimental validation

Week 13
Process optimization; Future directions on biomass energy

Week 14
Industrial operation of ethanol production

Week 15
Overall interactions with coordinator

Instructor bio


Dr. K. Arunkumar 
 Associate Professor, Department of Plant Science,
Central University of Kerala
Dr. K. Arunkumar is an Associate Professor in the department of Plant Science, Central University of Kerala. He holds the Headship also. He obtained graduate degrees in Botany (1989-1991) and M.Phil (1992) in Botany/Plant Physiology from Bharathidasan University, India. Arunkumar completed his Ph.D (1993-1997) at Centre for Advanced studies in Botany, University of Madras by availing CSIR Fellowship. After brief stints as a Plant physiology scientist (1997-1999) at Rubber Research Institute of India(Tura, Meghalaya), he took Assistant Professorship in the year 1999 and promoted as Associate Professor in the year 2011. His main interest has been in the field of diversity, biology and biochemistry of algae with special focus on bioactive compounds and biomass energy conversion. He has published over 50 research papers in journals indexed in Scopus, web of Science etc.,   like Renewable Energy; Biomass and bioenergy; biomass conversion and biorefinary; Algal Research; J. of Cleaner Production; Botanica Marina … and contributed 5 book chapters for Elsevier, Cambridge, CRC by receiving 5 extramural research projects with the grant of more than 76.3 lakhs. Presently operating DST-SERB project with the grant of 40 lakhs. He organized three national conferences and attended/presented more than 70 national and international conferences in his 20 years of teaching and research experience. Besides teaching M.Sc program, he is also guiding scholars for Ph.D in plant science.

Course certificate

“30 Marks will be allocated for Internal Assessment and 70 Marks will be allocated for external proctored examination”


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