Environmental Science 1131 Renewable Energy with Biomass Gasification May 18 – June 5, 2009 * Resident and commuter options are available. Ask us about full scholarships!

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Course Description:

ESci (Environmental Science) 1131.
Renewable Energy with Biomass Gasification (Sci-L)
(3.0 cr) Principles of biomass gasification with a focus on chemical, biological and economic considerations of biomass energy production. Features hands-on training in chemistry and biomass with classroom and lab activities.

Course prerequisite: Math 0901 Basic Algebra or equivalent, or placement beyond Math 0901 using ACT/placement exam, or instructor consent (MNWest equivalent = Math 0098 Higher Algebra I - Beginning Algebra as biomass course prerequisite).

Additional Information: Students will NOT be in a classroom from 8AM-5PM every day. Coursework will involve a mix of time in the classroom, in the laboratory and outside working on small-scale gasifiers. This is meant to be an intensive 3-week, 3-credit experience. The first day will involve a course introduction, and the last day is designated as the wrap-up day for projects and presentations. Class time will include lecture and group work in the morning and early afternoon, and labs and hands-on work for the late afternoon with multi-disciplinary content in economics, chemistry, soil science, plant biology, hands-on operation of gasifiers and emissions collection and interpretation, and more.

This course is for:

• renewable energy associate degree and certificate students;
• environmental science and environmental studies majors and other liberal arts majors;
• students attending any college, university, technical or community college; and
• adults seeking workforce training or re-training, and adults who are not currently college students (all interested participants are encouraged to apply).

Class Schedule:

Monday through Friday, May 18 to June 5, 2009 **
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (daily lunch break 12 noon to 1 p.m.)
Class meeting locations on the Morris campus will vary depending on each day's activities. Refer to the course syllabus for specific details.
** Course will not meet on Monday, May 25 due to the Memorial Day holiday

Learn about the complexities of biomass gasification technology and alternative energy, including:

• Hands-on experience in the UMM biomass gasification facility: Biomass gasification reactor design, operation and maintenance, gas measurement, EPA guidelines, and interpretation of data to manage a biomass gasification plant
• Biomass gasification chemistry: Process principles and how energy is derived from biomass
• Economics of biomass gasification: Risk/reward measures of energy production, marketing, and profitability of energy production vs. fossil fuel based energy production; costs involved in plant operations, entrepreneurialism, and discussion of developing policy questions
• Process integration and ecological consideration: Soil conservation, biomass harvesting, and assessing local biomass resources

For more information:
Call (320) 589-6461 or e-mail biomass@morris.umn.edu

* pending transfer of funds from the Department of Labor
to the Renewable Energy Marketplace-Alliance for Talent Development

 
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