Outline of the Project

Project Name

The Project for Comprehensive Conversion of Biomass and Waste to Super Clean Fuels by New Solid Catalysts

Country

Thailand

Date R/D Signed

March 13, 2017

Term of Cooperation

August 31, 2017 to August 30, 2022

Project Site

Center of Fuels and Energy From Biomass, Chulalongkorn University in Saraburi and Department of Chemical Technology, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

Implementing Organization

Chulalongkorn University (CU)
PTT
Northern Renewable Energy Co., Ltd.

Background

In recent years, global warming is one of the most important agendas in the international community.

In order to address this issue, reduction of usage of fossil fuels is required to decrease the greenhouse effect gas such as CO2. In the Kingdom of Thailand, there is a long history on the research of alternative energy. Development of bioethanol and biodiesel has been addressed as parts of the Royal Projects since around 1970, however energy from biomass is currently generated from edible biomass such as oil palm and sugarcane. In order to refrain from competition against food market, it is preferable to avoid utilizing edible biomass. Thus Thailand recently has an emphasis on developing alternative fuel especially from non-edible resources.

Based on this situation, the government of Thailand has set the national policy that the percentage of alternative energy to fossil fuel will be increased up to 25% by 2036. For achieving this target, the government has promoted biofuel for the purpose of transportation which has a big impact for global warming. However, there are several technical challenges for dissemination such as quality level of the biofuel.

Considering these situations, GOT requested support of GOJ under the program of Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) with aiming at developing the production technology of alternatives to fossil fuels using non-edible biomass waste resources.

The Overall Goal

The technologies for alternatives to fossil fuel are utilized for creating as bases to industrialization.

Project Purpose

Production technology of alternatives to fossil fuel using biomass and waste resources (quality of wood, farm outputs, waste systems, etc.) is developed, and the Project proposes for the social implementation.

Outputs

1. A synthesis gas production technology from biomass and waste resources is developed.
2. Production technologies such as biofuel by catalytic conversion are developed.
3. Proposals for social implementation are made by verification of the Project products and formulation of a whole system.

Project Activities

1.	A synthesis gas production technology from biomass and waste resources is developed
1.1	Establishment of preprocessing condition depending on a kind of biomass waste resources in Thailand
1.2.1	Establishment of process condition and operation skills by composition of the gasification gas (Target of achievable process condition) The ratio of [H2]/{CO}: 1-2 The ratio of [H2] + [CO]: around 80%
1.2.2	Establishment of process condition and operation skills enabling more than 60% by a carbon conversion factor of gasification gas or cold-water gas efficiency
1.2.3	Establishment of process condition and operation skills to reduce impurities of gasification gas to the level that a catalytic conversion process is acceptable
1.2.4	Establishment of gasification process suitable for the connection driving with catalytic conversion process

2	Production technologies such as biofuel by catalytic conversion are developed.
2.1	Biodiesel production technology is developed
2.1.1	Development of high active catalyst (Target of active catalyst: Productive capacity target) STY = 600 g-oil/kg-cat.h
2.1.2	Development of active catalyst ((low-pressure synthetic characteristics, impurities tolerance and selective improvement (C11-19 fraction ratio)) having high practical use properties.
2.1.3	Demonstration of Biofuel light oil production by connection driving with synthesis gas production
2.2	Biogasoline production technology is developed
2.2.1	Development of high active catalyst (Target of active catalyst: Productive capacity target) STY = 500 g-oil/kg-cat.h
2.2.2	Development of active catalyst ((Low pressure synthetic characteristics, impurities tolerance, selective improvement (C5-10, iso body fraction ratio)) having high practical use properties.
2.2.3	Establishment of connecting Process condition and operation skills with synthesis gas production
2.3	Biomethanol production technology is developed
2.3.1	Development of high active catalyst (Target of active catalyst: Productive capacity target) STY = 500 g-oil/kg-cat.h
2.3.2	Development of active catalyst (Low temperature/pressure synthetic characteristics, impurities tolerance, selective improvement) having high practical use properties.
2.3.3	Demonstration of the Biomethanol production by connection driving with synthesis gas production.
2.4	Bio-LPG production technology is developed
2.4.1	Development of high active catalyst (Target of active catalyst: Productive capacity target) STY = 450 g-LPG/kg-cat.h
2.4.2	Development of active catalyst (Low temperature/pressure synthetic characteristics, impurities tolerance, selective improvement) having high practical use properties.
2.4.3	Demonstration of the bio-LPG production by connection driving with synthesis gas production.

3	Proposals for social implementation are made by verification of the Project products and formulation of a whole system.
3.1	It is confirmed that biofuels are utilized as alternatives to fossil fuels
3.1.1	Establishment of production process and process condition by analytical comparison between trial products of alternative fuels to fossil fuel and existing fossil fuel
3.1.2	Identification of fuel performance and advantage (efficiency, energy yield, effluent emission characteristic) of trial products of biofuels
3.1.3	Identification of usage (composition, quality adjustment, supply method) of trial products of biofuels
3.2	Road map for social implementation utilizing various biofuels is drafted
3.2.1	Calculation of various biofuel products performance (energy recovery, balance, yield, assumption of production cost) by process analysis
3.2.2	Calculation of CO2 reduction effect of various biofuel products by LCA analysis
3.2.3	Drafting of road map (include business model, time frame, policy recommendation, etc.) through process and LCA analysis
3.3	Human resource related to production/application technology of the alternatives to fossil fuel using biomass and waste resources are developed
3.3.1	Preparation of “Biofuel manufacturing test Manual” (operational test of synthesis gas production and catalytic conversion in line with connectivity and consistency) for counterparts
3.3.2	Development of operation and maintenance of facilities necessary for the study of synthesis gas production and catalytic conversion in Thailand
3.3.3	Numbers of presentation at international seminars and/or publication of research papers related to the Project by young researcher of counterparts in Thailand
3.4	Social recognition related to the development technologies and/or provided biofuel gained through the Project is raised
3.4.1	Increase of information sharing towards a broad audience relating to developed technologies and biofuel product through public symposium and facility tours in Thailand

Inputs
[Japanese side]

a) Dispatch of Experts
b) Machinery and Equipment
c) Training in Japan

Inputs
[Thailand side]

a) The University's counter personnel and administrative personnel
b) Suitable office space in Bangkok and Saraburi campus with necessary equipment
c) Supply or replacement of machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, spare parts and any other materials including utilities necessary for the implementation of the Project other than the equipment provided by JICA
d) Construction/modification of related facilities such as roofing works and/or civil works
e) Information as well as support in obtaining medical service
f) Means of transport and travel allowances for the Thai researchers for official travel within Thailand
g) Credentials or identification cards
h) Available data (including maps and photographs) and information related to the Project
i) Running expenses necessary for the implementation of the Project
j) Expense necessary for transportation within Thailand of the equipment as well as for the installation (in principle), operation and maintenance.