Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After the course the student

  • can summarise the steps in producing chemical pulp in laboratory, the emphasis being in kraft pulping.
  • can exemplify in detail the principles of a forest biorefinery, as well as the role of pulping in this respect.
  • has practiced the most essential experimental and analytical methods in the area of biomass refining and can also describe some less conventional practical laboratory methods.
  • based on the laboratory results, can calculate material balances, as well as predict practical implications in the industrial scale.
  • has experience in systematic project planning and in team working.
  • has practiced giving and receiving personal feedback on work performance.
  • is able to present clear reports to different audiences, both in written and oral format.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 14.01.2021 - 29.04.2021

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Kyösti Ruuttunen

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Kyösti Ruuttunen

Contact information for the course (valid 04.01.2021-21.12.2112):

Senior University Lecturer Kyösti Ruuttunen

kyosti.ruuttunen@aalto.fi

+358 50 3442981

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Student teams plan a fractionation scheme for (wood) biomass, aiming at manufacturing products from the fractions (cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, and/or extractives). Subsequently, the team carries out the planned process in the laboratory. The laboratory work will include characterizing the biomass raw material, as well as testing the intermediate and final product properties (e.g. pulp kappa number, intrinsic viscosity, and ISO-brightness). The student teams compose reports of the laboratory work, as well as the whole project, describing the procedure and also presenting a material balance of the process. In addition, the students have to assess, based literature survey and experimental results, the feasibility of upscaling the process to industrial scale. Finally, the student teams provide conclusions of their work, including an evaluation on their success in meeting the objectives set in the project plan.

    In addition to the practical laboratory work, instructing lectures and workshops are organized. Moreover, the teams will present their work orally and present observations about each other's work during different stages of the project. The teams and its members will give and receive feedback of their performance both as a team and individually. The practical laboratory work is instructed mostly by Ph.D. students. Staff from companies in the bioproducts industry sector may act as advisors during the different phases of the students' work (e.g. planning, reporting).

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Please see the course's MyCourses workspace.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Evaluation of the written project plan and reports. Peer and self-assessment will have an impact on the final course grade. The practical details of the assessment to be discussed with the students in class.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    To be discussed and announced during the classes. Details to be updated in MyCourses.

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    135 h in total; Lectures & workshops 20 h, Project work 115 h (including ca. 60 h practical laboratory work and ca. 55 h report writing and other tasks).

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    To be announced in class.

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Laboratory safety course CHEM-A1010 or CHEM-E0140 (or alternatively, laboratory safety as part of courses CHEM-A1000 or CHEM-E0100 taught before Academic Year 2017-2018) must have been passed before performing any laboratory works in this course.

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption