Program Overview

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KF2480 Chemistry of a Biorefinery

The course KF2480 Chemistry of a Biorefinery is a 7.5 credit course that covers various aspects of biorefinery processes, including chemical reactions, mechanical fiber release, and the generation and storage of process chemicals.

Information per Course Offering

• Termin: Spring 2026
• Start: 13 Jan 2026
• Duration: 13 Jan 2026 - 13 Mar 2026
• Periods: Spring 2026: P3 (7.5 hp)
• Pace of study: 50%
• Application code: 60913
• Form of study: Normal Daytime
• Language of instruction: English
• Course memo: Not published
• Number of places: Minimum 12
• Target group: Open for all students
• Planned modular schedule: No information inserted
• Schedule: Link to schedule
• Part of programme: Master's Programme, Macromolecular Materials, year 1

Contact

• Examiner: Martin Lawoko
• Course coordinator: Martin Lawoko
• Teachers:
  • Yuanyuan Li
  • Gunnar Henriksson
  • Olena Sevastyanova

Course Syllabus

The course syllabus for KF2480 is available in an accessible format on this page.

Content and Learning Outcomes

Course Contents

The course consists of lectures, a literature seminar, and laboratory work. The examination is done in combination with a written examination and a written and oral presentation of the seminar task. Topics covered include:

• Chemical reactions during mechanical fiber release
• Chemical reactions during chemical fiber release
• Chemical reactions during biomass pretreatments
• Chemical reaction during acid hydrolysis
• Generation and storage of process chemicals
• The biorefinery and the environment, and its chemical cycle
• Platform chemicals and Material concepts

Intended Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of mechanisms involved in pulping and biorefining techniques
• Understand and predict how the hierarchic structure of plant fibers are affected during biorefinery processes
• Understand the principles of characterization techniques and how they apply to generated substrates in biorefining
• Demonstrate understanding of chemical and physical aspects of processes for production of cellulose- and lignin- derivatives, platform chemicals and other chemicals produced from plant biomass with consideration taken to a sustainable society
• Demonstrate literature search capabilities, report writing and oral presentation capabilities

Literature and Preparations

Specific Prerequisites

• Bachelor's degree within a programme that includes: 50 university credits (hp) in chemistry or chemical engineering, 20 university credits (hp) in mathematics and in computer science or corresponding
• Completion of Biofiber Chemistry Course (KF2460) or similar Fiber Chemistry related courses

Recommended Prerequisites

• KF2460 Biofibre Chemistry, or BB2420 Glycobiology and Carbohydrate Technology, or corresponding knowledge
• The older course wood chemistry and wood biotechnology is also a good background

Literature

Information about course literature can be found in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.

Examination and Completion

Grading Scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

• TENB - Written exam, 6.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• SEMB - Seminar, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH's coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Examiner

Martin Lawoko

Ethical Approach

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution

Further Information

Course Room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas.

Offered by

CBH/Fibre and Polymer Technology

Main Field of Study

Chemical Science and Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Education Cycle

Second cycle

Supplementary Information

The course has partly similar content as the course KF2020 The Chemistry of Pulping and Bleaching. Only one of the courses KF2480 and KF2020 may be included in the exam.