MOOC Catalytic Conversions for Biobased Chemicals and Products

Why follow this course?

Biomass is the only renewable feedstock which contains the carbon atoms needed to make the molecules to create chemicals, materials and fuels. However, the majority of our current scientific and industrial knowledge on conversion is based on fossil feedstock processing.

Join this course if you want to advance your career and explore the relevant fundamental knowledge on (bio)catalytic conversion for producing (new) biobased building blocks, chemicals and products.

The focus on this course is the design of an effective (catalytic) process for the conversions of biobased feedstocks to desired products. Unique for bioconversion is the presence of the elements O, N, P, S and large quantities of water. You will therefore will explore:

1. Microbial, biochemical and chemical (i.e., catalytic) conversion routes.
2. How to use biocatalysts, home- or heterogeneous catalysts and optimize the process of conversion. Tune catalysts to their specific advantages and disadvantages for biobased conversions.
3. The influence of the reactor choice as an inevitable asset in the process.
4. How to describe the productivity of catalytic processes depending on the choice of the reactor and how the choice of the reactor can add to the stability of the conversion process.

What you will learn

• How to efficiently convert biobased feedstocks into desired products
• To understand, evaluate and design a process based on either homogeneous, heterogeneous or biocatalysts
• Critically evaluate the pros and cons of a biobased conversion route vs a fossil-based conversion route

MicroMasters® Programme Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability

This MOOC is part of the MicroMasters Programme Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability, which is a programme that enables you to discover new resources and help your company make the switch from fossil to renewable, biobased resources.