Kemiantekniikka - Chemical Engineering

Course contents advanced studies of biobased materials for biobased barrier technologies in packaging applications; Biobased hygiene products; Biobased components in paints, inks, adhesives, and glues; Biofuels from wastes and side streams; Biomaterials in food application and biobased product development practical work in laboratory.

The study entities are: The multidimensional impact of bioeconomy on Europe, the implementation of bioeconomy, the sustainability – all three dimensions - aspects of bioeconomy. The course is carried as assignments based on selected topics from the book or own topic related to your current working environment and additional material. Course is planned for distance learning.

This is the capstone course in Biorefineries Master's programme. Previously acquired knowledge on biorefinery feedstocks, conversion methods, separation and purification methods, as well as products and markets are applied to study a complete biorefinery process.

The course covers the most typical biorefining processes production of fibers, material products hemicelluloses, lignin and carbon products, biofuel 1 st and 2nd generation and chemicals - The globally most common bio-based raw materials for biorefineries -Connection of Biorefineries to other industrial processes such as energy production and oil refineries - Most common biorefinery products and their value chain

Overview of the fundamentals of adsorption and ion exchange. Dynamics of adsorption and ion exchange columns and the use of equilibrium theory in process design. Industrial scale chromatography. Single column and multicolumn chromatography process concepts, design methods, and process performance. Application examples in biorefining and food processing.

Membrane processes for treating different food industry or biorefinery streams. Membrane materials and modules. Basic phenomena in membrane processes (e.g. fouling, concentration polarisation, osmotic pressure), Separation mechanisms and tailoring of separation, Applications in food industry or biorefineries.

On this course, the student will learn about the study methods applied in the Biorefineries degree program, modern learning theories, effective on-line learning strategies and tools for personal goal setting. 

Overview of water pollution and treatment processes, Mass balance and hydraulic flow regimes, bioreactors and chemical kinetics, dispersion and mass transfer in different types of reactors, mass transfer and aeration, activated sludge process, process simulation, computational chemistry, and molecular dynamics simulation

Definition of PMT substances; sources and occurrence of PMT chemicals in the environment; human health risk assessment, analytical methods and removal strategies for PMT substances; regulatory measures for controlling PMT substances.

This course is designed to expand students’ knowledge on analytical instrumentation used in the laboratory for monitoring of water quality. The course will cover the following topics: - Introduction of major classes of water pollutants - Preparation of water samples for the analysis - Conventional methods of water analysis - Advanced instrumental water analysis - Online monitoring and sensors applications in water analysis - Case study: Definition, identification, and characterization of microplastics

Planning, implementation, and reporting a research project related to the water treatment process. The project includes a planning experimental laboratory work, conducting experimental work in the lab, analyzing the results and reporting (written and oral). Lectures and seminar related to the project work are included. The lectures are planned during weeks 37 to 41 and the laboratory experiments, which will be conducted in Mikkeli will be carried out during week 46 (group work). The info about project work will be given later on the course Moodle page after discussing with companies and research groups.

Learning principles of different types of Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) and Electrochemical methods for water treatment. Learning how these methods and technologies can be utilized in different applications, particularly for water purification. Economical, technical, and sustainability aspects of the methods will be considered. Real case examples and seminar work will be effectively implemented in order to give a depth understanding of the methods.

- Introduction to adsorption and ion exchange theories. - Learning the types and properties of conventional and novel adsorption and ion exchange materials and their applications in water research. - Learning to evaluate the economic and environmental aspects of the production and use of different adsorption and ion exchange materials. - Learning the surface reactions and theories behind the adsorption and ion exchange phenomena. - Ultimately, identifying the necessary tools to effectively deal with various environmental issues and industrial challenges using advanced materials in adsorption and ion exchange processes. -Case studies relevant to the process, implementation to water treatment and seminar works to provide in-depth knowledge of adsorption/ion-exchange-based water purification. -Carrying out individual and group works, including problem-based learning (PBL), quizzes and assignments.

Biological wastewater treatment methods, professional terminology, built-up ecosystem, desired metabolism and reactor types, selection of microbes and enrichment, influence of temperature and other conditions on above-mentioned factors, basic knowledge on the biological methods used in removal of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous, aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment, process alternatives and technologies, designing and operating modes of processes, controlling and optimization of processes, novel technologies, recovery of valuable products from waste originating (secondary raw materials) raw materials, aerobic and anaerobic technologies in the treatment of sewage sludges and organic wastes.

Learning the various kinds and properties of conventional and advanced water treatment technologies, including, but not limited to, membrane technology, advanced oxidation processes, nanotechnology, electro-chemical processes, adsorption, ion exchange, etc. Knowing the pros and cons, and R&D prospects for each advanced technology. Reinforcing the acquired knowledge with “catchy” case studies from the biorefining and water treatment industries, targeting efficient municipal/industrial water/wastewater treatment and resources recovery. Including the economic factor and the environmental footprint of those advanced technologies, to their pollution removal efficiency. Providing the necessary tools to effectively deal with various environmental issues and industrial challenges using advanced water treatment technologies, in single or integrated approaches.

The course covers recent topics in chemical engineering related to energy transformation, including generation of renewable hydrogen, carbon capture and utilization, E-fuels, Power-to-X processes, and carbon neutral products and processes.

Gas-liquid contactor theory, sizing principles and equations, calculation examples, computer exercises. Distillation, evaporation, gas scrubbing. In more details described. MATLAB based solution for continuous reactor case. Distillation principles, McCabe-Thiele method for distillation design. Distillation process (trays, reboiler, condenser, reflux), distillation efficiencies, thermodynamics. Mass balances, phase equilibrium calculations (MATLAB). Pxy-diagram, Flash distillation, Bubble temperature calculation, dew temperature calculation, Txy-diagram formulation, Batch distillation simulation program development (MATLAB). Absorption/gas scrubbing Equipment and Structures, sizing equations, Absorber sizing using MATLAB. Evaporation principles, equipment, sizing, sequencing.

Fundamentals of precipitation, crystallization, coagulation and flotation in water treatment. Review of the advanced methods in order to enhance treatment processes. Sustainability aspects and recycling possibilities of the produced side streams. The course includes Moodle lectures and exercises and four virtual laboratory works.

Circular economy and resource efficiency are important aspect in sustainable development within the industry. The course aim is that students gain the skills needed to ensure that circular economy concepts become adopted into the design, development and operation of mainly metal production processes, during its application, end-of-life stage and recycling.Students carry out project works in groups. The topics are from industry, for example side stream processing in metal and steel producing industry, circular economy, eco-design. Different aspects are emphasized in different projects, depending on the topic.

Background. Solution chemistry of hydrometallurgical solutions. Leaching. Treatment of leach solutions by solvent extraction, ion exchange and adsorption. Metals recovery by precipitation and electrochemical methods.