Biomass Valorisation and Emissions Reduction
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The teaching deals with the use and recycling of the main agricultural, forestry (livestock effluents, lignocellulosic waste) and civil biomass (sewage sludge and organic waste fraction) to obtain products to be employed for agricultural purpose.
Furthermore, the course aims to provide the fundamental notions for the correct management of biomasses with particular reference to animal manure, so that they meet environmental sustainability requirements, in compliance with current environmental legislation and considering the technical and economic feasibility.
Furthermore, the course aims to provide the fundamental notions for the correct management of biomasses with particular reference to animal manure, so that they meet environmental sustainability requirements, in compliance with current environmental legislation and considering the technical and economic feasibility.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge about biomass transformation processes (composting, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis), paying particular attention to the agronomic use of transformed biomass, defining its positive effects on soil and plant growth and also taking into consideration the impacts deriving from their use and the relative containment measures.
He will also know the environmental legislation and the criteria for choosing the best available technologies for reducing the environmental impact in the management of biomasses with particular reference to animal manure. It will also acquire calculation tools for the environmental assessment of biomass management.
He will also know the environmental legislation and the criteria for choosing the best available technologies for reducing the environmental impact in the management of biomasses with particular reference to animal manure. It will also acquire calculation tools for the environmental assessment of biomass management.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
- Part 1. livestock manure
Agriculture and environmental impact. The main emissions to the air from the agricultural sector. Emissions to the waters and the contribution of agriculture. The characteristics of livestock manure. Emission mechanisms towards the air of ammonia and greenhouse gases from livestock manure. Measurement methods for ammonia concentrations and emissions. Regulatory framework relating to emissions to water and air. Best available techniques for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus excreted by feeding. Reduction of emissions from housing areas. Manure transformations during storage and emission mitigation techniques. Main treatments for manure management and their effect on emissions. Air emissions during manure application. Evaluation of techniques for reducing emissions during spreading. Evaluation of the efficiency of nitrogen distributed on the ground and techniques to reduce emissions to water. Overall assessment of emissions in livestock farms. Visit to livestock farms and manure treatment plants.
Part 2. biomass
Legislation: Sector regulations (EU, Italy, Regions, End of Waste, REACH), fertilizer regulations, and waste regulations including sewage sludges. - Carbon credits. Biomass analytical methods: chemical, biological analyses and bioassays. Agronomic use, fertilizing effect and impact on soil/plant of compost sludge, digestate, biochar, hydrochar: agronomic, biological, C sequestration and remediation aspects (soil improver/fertilizer effect); carbon sequestration effect, containment of the impacts deriving from its use. Use of sludge in agriculture (stabilization systems, fertilizing capacity, chemical and biological contaminants, emerging contaminants - micro-plastics, antibiotics, drugs). Waste biomass to replace peat: coconut fibre, woody fibres, including minerals. Biomass as biostimulants. Use and production of algal biomass and residues from insect farming (frass).
Visit to waste treatment plants and laboratory practices.
Agriculture and environmental impact. The main emissions to the air from the agricultural sector. Emissions to the waters and the contribution of agriculture. The characteristics of livestock manure. Emission mechanisms towards the air of ammonia and greenhouse gases from livestock manure. Measurement methods for ammonia concentrations and emissions. Regulatory framework relating to emissions to water and air. Best available techniques for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus excreted by feeding. Reduction of emissions from housing areas. Manure transformations during storage and emission mitigation techniques. Main treatments for manure management and their effect on emissions. Air emissions during manure application. Evaluation of techniques for reducing emissions during spreading. Evaluation of the efficiency of nitrogen distributed on the ground and techniques to reduce emissions to water. Overall assessment of emissions in livestock farms. Visit to livestock farms and manure treatment plants.
Part 2. biomass
Legislation: Sector regulations (EU, Italy, Regions, End of Waste, REACH), fertilizer regulations, and waste regulations including sewage sludges. - Carbon credits. Biomass analytical methods: chemical, biological analyses and bioassays. Agronomic use, fertilizing effect and impact on soil/plant of compost sludge, digestate, biochar, hydrochar: agronomic, biological, C sequestration and remediation aspects (soil improver/fertilizer effect); carbon sequestration effect, containment of the impacts deriving from its use. Use of sludge in agriculture (stabilization systems, fertilizing capacity, chemical and biological contaminants, emerging contaminants - micro-plastics, antibiotics, drugs). Waste biomass to replace peat: coconut fibre, woody fibres, including minerals. Biomass as biostimulants. Use and production of algal biomass and residues from insect farming (frass).
Visit to waste treatment plants and laboratory practices.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
Teaching methods
The teaching methods consist of:
a) frontal lesson
b) classroom exercises and laboratory also with group work
c) field visits
The course does not have compulsory attendance, but it is strongly recommended the lessons participation.
a) frontal lesson
b) classroom exercises and laboratory also with group work
c) field visits
The course does not have compulsory attendance, but it is strongly recommended the lessons participation.
Teaching Resources
1. Notes of the lessons on the Ariel website
2. Articles, reports and regulations indicated during the lessons and available on the Ariel website
2. Articles, reports and regulations indicated during the lessons and available on the Ariel website
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Part 1. livestock manure
The exam will be based on a written test in which the degree of mastery of the tools for assessing the environmental sustainability of livestock farms and the knowledge of the topics covered.
The examination consists of an exercise to assess a livestock farm from an environmental perspective and the identification of improved techniques for reducing emissions. In addition, there are two questions (open questions) and eight multiple-choice questions. The vote is expressed out of thirty. The exam will last 1.5 hours.
- Part 2. biomass
The written exam consists of 3 questions (open questions). A maximum score of 10 points will be applied to each question. The vote is expressed out of thirty. The exam will last 2 hours.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
THE FINAL MARK IS CALCULATED BY USING THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE (DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF CREDITS) OF THE VOTES OBTAINED IN THE 2 SINGLE PARTS
The exam will be based on a written test in which the degree of mastery of the tools for assessing the environmental sustainability of livestock farms and the knowledge of the topics covered.
The examination consists of an exercise to assess a livestock farm from an environmental perspective and the identification of improved techniques for reducing emissions. In addition, there are two questions (open questions) and eight multiple-choice questions. The vote is expressed out of thirty. The exam will last 1.5 hours.
- Part 2. biomass
The written exam consists of 3 questions (open questions). A maximum score of 10 points will be applied to each question. The vote is expressed out of thirty. The exam will last 2 hours.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
THE FINAL MARK IS CALCULATED BY USING THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE (DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF CREDITS) OF THE VOTES OBTAINED IN THE 2 SINGLE PARTS
AGR/10 - RURAL BUILDINGS AND AGRO - FOREST LAND PLANNING - University credits: 4
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Field activity: 20 hours
Practicals: 28 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Practicals: 28 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Professors:
Provolo Giorgio Mario, Tambone Fulvia
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
on demand previuos contact by email
Dept. Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Agricultural Engineering Building n. 10 - Farm Structures and Environment group
Reception:
appointment by e-mail
DiSAA - soil chemistry section - I Floor - office 1011