Earth and Environment 304 - Biofuels
Syllabus
Description: This class provides an in-depth presentation of a wide spectrum of
technical issues related to biofuels and their substitution for petrochemicals. This
class requires a great deal of reading, of which, some are highly technical. The
class also requires students to be active participants in moderating discussions
of weekly readings and to prepare and present a term power-point presentations.
Requirements: reading, class discussions, writing assignments, class
presentations.
Grading: 50%-writing assignments, 25% article presentation, 25%-term paper
presentation...
WebSite: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/tmillett/course/geog_304B
Other Readings: PDF's Provided on Class Website
Instructor: Dr. Thomas L. Millette, 413 Clapp, ext. 2813;
Email: tmillett@mtholyoke.edu
Sept. 7
Introduction to Class...
Sept. 14
Readings:
Biofuels... Vision and Technology
Draft National Program Plan for Biomass Ethanol
Plant/Crop-Based Renewable Resources 2020
Sept. 21
Readings:
Biofuels... Chemical Issues
Microbial Pretreatment of Biomass
Biomass Ethanol: Technical Propgress, Opportunities and
Commercial Challenges
Continuous Countercurrent Extraction of Hemicellulose from
Pretreated Wood Residues
Ethanol Annual Report
Sept. 28
Biofuel Project... The Mississippi Ethanol LLC Plan
Final Report from Mississippi Ethanol LLC to the NREL
Class Paper Topic Statement Due...
Oct. 5
Biofuel Exotics...
Summary of Chariton Valley Switchgrass Co-Fire Testing at the
Ottumwa Generating Station in Chillicothe, Iowa
Assessment of Bio-Oil as a Replacement for Heating Oil
Opportunities in the Industrial Biobased Products Industry
Oct. 12
Future Prospects for Production of Methanol and Hydrogen from
Biomass
Poultry Litter and Forest Residue Testing and Availability
Assessment
Biofuels... and Environmental Degredation
Energy and Environmental Aspects of using Corn Stover for Fuel
Ethanol
Methodology for estimating Removable Quantities of Agricultural
Residues for Bioenergy and Bioproduct Use
Evaluating Environmental Consequences of Producing Herbaceous
Crops for Bioenergy
Biomass, Bioenergy, and Carbon Management
Oct. 19
Class Paper and Powerpoint Presentation Proposals...
Student Project Proposal Presentation
Oct. 26
Biomass and Electricity...
Reading 14 - Moss
The Status of Biomass Power Generation in California, July 31, 2003
Reading 15 - Goodwin
Production of Electricity from Biomass Crops - US Perspective
Reading 16 - Floyd
The Role of Bioethanol in Global Climate Change
Nov. 2
Biomass and Burning...
Reading 17 - Bourdeau
Impact of Biodiesel Fuels on Air Quality and Human Health
Reading 18 - Owocki
WOOD-CHIP FIRED FURNACES TESTING PROJECT AIR EMISSIONS
TESTING AND PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS ANALYSIS
Reading 19 - Moss
Combustion Properties of Ligninesidue from Lignocellulose Fermentation
Nov. 9
Ethanol Field Trip - Northampton Brewery
First Draft of Paper Due....
Nov. 16
Biofuels... - Local and Logistic Issues...
Reading 20 - Youngs
PROCESSING COST ANALYSIS FOR BIOMASS FEEDSTOCKS
Reading 21 - Deemer
The Challenge of Expanding the Ethanol Distribution System
Reading 22 - Elechko
ETHANOL AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Nov. 30
Dec. 7
Student Presentation Workshop
Student Presentations...
Dec. 14
Student Presentations...
Final Paper Due...