Outline of the Project

Project Name

Innovation on Production and Automotive Utilization of Biofuels from Non-Food Biomass

Country

Thailand

Date of R/D Signed

February 25, 2010

Term of Cooperation

May 16, 2010 to March 31, 2015

Implementing Organization

Thailand
National Science and Technology Development Agency, NSTDA
Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, TISTR
King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, KMUTNB
Japan
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
Waseda University

Background

Research on alternative energy has a long history in the Kingdom of Thailand. Development of bioethanol and biodiesel have been addressed as parts of the Royal Projects since around 1970 and energy generated from food biomass such as oil palm are currently the mainstream. On the other hand, it is preferable to avoid utilizing food biomass for generating fuels; thus, examination on this method is required. Due to this background, there have been growing needs for clarification of development mechanism of non-food biofuels and standardization of tests on these biofuels in Thailand. Although Jatropha oils and surplus agriculture residues are listed as promising options for feedstock for production of non-food biofuels, Jatropha contain toxic materials such as phorbol ester, so their detoxification is needed for utilization as biofuels. Development of fundamental technologies for upgrading biofuels as automotive utilization is essential and technical problems are required to be overcome.

Considering these situations, the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand requested support of the Government of Japan under the form of scientific technical cooperation with aiming to innovate biofuels from non-food biomass. In response to this request, detailed planning survey was conducted in September 2009 and the record of discussion on technical cooperation project "Innovation on Production and Automotive Utilization of Biofuels from Non-Food Biomass" with the period from May 2010 to March 2015 was signed in February 2010. The Project has been implemented by National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and Waseda University (WU) together with Thai counterparts of National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), one of the four national centers under National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Institute of Science and Technological Research (TISTR), and King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB).

Summary of the Project

1. Overall Goal
The improved technologies for biofuels from non-food biomass by the Project are disseminated in Thailand.

2. Project Purpose
Fundamental technologies to produce biofuels from non-food biomass for automotive utilization are developed.

3. Outputs
[Task 1]

• Detoxification conversion technology for production of non-toxic biodiesel fuel (BDF) is developed.
• Standardized production technology of high-quality BDF in a pilot-scale is developed.
• Catalyst utilization technology for upgrading Jatropha BDF is developed.
• CO2 reduction effect of high quality BDF from Jatropha oil is clarified by the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

[Task 2]

• Production technology of bio-oil from Jatropha residues by thermal/ catalytic conversion is developed.
• Separation and stabilization technologies of bio-oil are developed.

[Task 3]

• Deoxygenation and catalytic hydro treating technologies for upgrading of bio-oils to the quality of petroleum gasoline and diesel oil are developed.
• Co-processing technology of deoxygenated bio-oils and conventional petroleum, which can be utilized at a conventional petroleum refinery, is developed.
• CO2 reduction effect for using Jatropha derived oils as transportation fuels is clarified by the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

[Task 4]

• Automobile fuel compatibility of high quality BDF produced by the Project is proven.
• Automobile fuel compatibility of bio-oils from Jatropha residues, including bio-oils upgraded with conventional; petroleum is proven.