774017 Forest-based biorefinery - water based processing and valorization

Type
Lecture
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Rosenau, Thomas , Hasani, Merima , Musl, Oliver
Organisation
Chemistry of Renewable Resources
Offered in
Sommersemester 2025
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

This guest lecture features Prof. Dr. Merima Hasani from Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. Her research focuses on the chemistry of wood, cellulose, lignin and other biopolymers and their chemical engineering.

The lecture covers the current trends and progress in the forest-based industries in the Nordic countries and the global challenges faced by the forest-based sector. Kraft pulping is the predominant chemical pulping process in the world, processing woody biomass on the megaton scale. Conventional kraft pulping has gained importance as a biorefinery platform for green and sustainable products. However, fundamental improvements of the conventional kraft process are still needed to transform its output to a more diverse product portfolio with focus on previously underutilized side-products such as lignin, hemicelluloses, extractives and more. Moreover, the versatility in raw material basis, add-on processing steps and possible future products are discussed and elaborated.
Previous knowledge expected

Basic knowledge on Chemistry, Organic Chemistry is necessary. Knowledge on biomass composition, processing, and biobased products is advantageous.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

The lecture will enable the students to identify characteristics of biorefineries, their products and different modes of action. They will be able to reflect on current scientific endeavors in the biorefinery field and mirror its complexity and wide scope, covering both energetic and material/chemical utilization approaches. They will understand how multi-faceted, challenging and sometimes tedious, but first of all rewarding and educational, the scientific aspects of work with renewable resources, especially with regard to biorefineries, can be.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.