Biomethanol production and CO2emission reduction from forage

grasses, trees and residues of crops

Biomethanol production and COBiomethanol production and CO22emission reduction from forage emission reduction from forage

grasses, trees and residues of cropsgrasses, trees and residues of crops

H. NAKAGAWAH. NAKAGAWA11, T. HARADA, T. HARADA22, T. Ichinose, T. Ichinose33, K. Takeno, K. Takeno33, M. , M. KobayashiKobayashi44, and M. Sakai, and M. Sakai55

1: National Institute of Agrobiological sciences 1: National Institute of Agrobiological sciences 2: Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute2: Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute

3: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries ltd.3: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries ltd.4: National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science4: National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science

5: Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science5: Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science

Background (Global)Background (Global)Background (Global)

MMore than 10 billion tons of fossil fuels are ore than 10 billion tons of fossil fuels are annually consumed in the world.annually consumed in the world.

1) Acid rain1) Acid rain2) Photochemical Smog2) Photochemical Smog3) Increase of atmospheric CO3) Increase of atmospheric CO22 -- Global Global

warmingwarming4) Running out of fossil fuel4) Running out of fossil fuel

Background (Local)Background (Local)

1)1) Byproducts and residues from Byproducts and residues from agriculture and forest industries are agriculture and forest industries are cast off or just burnt.cast off or just burnt.

2)2) Increase of energy consumption not Increase of energy consumption not only in developed countries but also in only in developed countries but also in Asian and African countries.Asian and African countries.

We can Reduce CO2 by shifting from fossil fuels to biofuels utilizing solar energy

We can Reduce COWe can Reduce CO2 2 by shifting from fossil by shifting from fossil fuels to fuels to biofuelsbiofuels utilizing solar energyutilizing solar energy

1) The solar energy that produces biomass is the 1) The solar energy that produces biomass is the ultiimateultiimate sustainable energy resource.sustainable energy resource.

2) Plants reduces atmospheric CO2) Plants reduces atmospheric CO22 through through photosynthesis.photosynthesis.

3) Even though, combustion produces CO3) Even though, combustion produces CO22, it does , it does not increase the amount of COnot increase the amount of CO22..

4) Liquid fuels are easily applied as an 4) Liquid fuels are easily applied as an altanativealtanativefuel for factory, automobile and other engines fuel for factory, automobile and other engines requiring petroleum to operate.requiring petroleum to operate.

5) It is clean and does not produce soot or 5) It is clean and does not produce soot or SOSOxx..6) In terms of storage, it ranks next to petroleum, 6) In terms of storage, it ranks next to petroleum,

far better than batteries, natural gas and far better than batteries, natural gas and hydrogen.hydrogen.

CO2+ H2O → CH2O + O2 CH2O → CH3OH CH3OH + 1.5O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

Biomass Production

Biomethanol Production

Consumption of biomethanol

H2O

CO2

O2

((Carbon neutral)Carbon neutral)

ObjectiveObjectiveObjective

Analysis and evaluation of various forms of Analysis and evaluation of various forms of biomass for biomethanol production by biomass for biomethanol production by gasification method with partial oxidationgasification method with partial oxidationtoward the establishment of a new farm toward the establishment of a new farm system producing biomethanolsystem producing biomethanol..

Carbon Carbon

HydratesHydrates

(CH(CH22O)O)nn+ O+ O22+ H+ H22OO

GasificationGasification

(Partial oxidation)(Partial oxidation)

Mixture of Mixture of

gasesgases

HH22COCO

COCO22HH22OO

BiomethanolBiomethanol

CO + 2HCO + 2H22 →→ CHCH33OHOH

SynthesisSynthesis

(with Catalyst)(with Catalyst)

1,000 C1,000 C PressurePressure4040--80 80 atmatm..

Principle of methanol synthesis by gasification method Principle of methanol synthesis by gasification method (the C1 chemical transformation technology)(the C1 chemical transformation technology)

Dry, crush Dry, crush into Powderinto Powder

Materials Materials 11

Rice strawRice straw Rice branRice branHusks of riceHusks of rice

SorghumSorghum SawdustSawdust

MaterialMaterial 22

Deforested mountainDeforested mountain LogsLogs of Japanese cedarof Japanese cedar BarkBark of Japanese cedarof Japanese cedar

Wastes in sawmill Wastes in sawmill (Japanese cedar)(Japanese cedar)

Chips of Japanese larchChips of Japanese larch Demolition wastesDemolition wastes

MethodsMethodsMethods

1) Water and ash content (%)1) Water and ash content (%)2) Content of some elements (2) Content of some elements (C, H, O, N, S, C, H, O, N, S, ClCl))3) High and low heating values3) High and low heating values4) Chemical composition of the biomass (ratio 4) Chemical composition of the biomass (ratio

of of C : H : OC : H : O))5) Size of biomass (5) Size of biomass (handling characteristicshandling characteristics))6) Gas yield and generated heat (6) Gas yield and generated heat (HH22, CO, CO, CO, CO22, ,

HH22OO))7) Methanol yield (7) Methanol yield (estimateestimate) )

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Sawdust Bark Chip Bamboo Salix Waste Rice Bran RiceStraw

Sorghum

Others

Ash

W aterContent

Content of water and ash in materialsContent of water and ash in materialsSaw dust: Sawn wood of Japanese cedar (Saw dust: Sawn wood of Japanese cedar (CryptomeriaCryptomeria japonicajaponica); Bark: Japanese cedar ); Bark: Japanese cedar ((CryptomeriaCryptomeria japonicajaponica); Chip: Japanese larch (); Chip: Japanese larch (LarixLarix leptolepisleptolepis); Bamboo: ); Bamboo: PhyllostachysPhyllostachys pubescenspubescens; ; Salix: Salix: Salix Salix sachalinensissachalinensis and and S. petS. pet--susususu; Waste: Sawn wood and demolition waste (raw material ; Waste: Sawn wood and demolition waste (raw material for particle board); Sorghum: foliagefor particle board); Sorghum: foliage

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Saw d

ust

Bark

C hip

Bam b

oo

Salix

W ast

eRi

ce B

ran

Rice

Stra

wSo

rghu

m

% by

Weigh

t

OthersT-Cl

T-SNO

HC

Content of some elements (% by weight) in materials without Content of some elements (% by weight) in materials without WaterWaterC: carbon; H: hydrogen; O: oxygen; N: nitrogen; TC: carbon; H: hydrogen; O: oxygen; N: nitrogen; T--S: total sulfur; TS: total sulfur; T--ClCl: total chloride: total chloride

0

5001000

15002000

2500

30003500

40004500

5000

Sawdust Bark Chip Bamboo Salix Waste Rice Bran RiceStraw

Sorghum

kcal

/kg

High Heat ValueLow Heat Value

High and low heat value of materialsHigh and low heat value of materialsLow heat value = High heat value Low heat value = High heat value -- [(9 x H + water) x 6][(9 x H + water) x 6]

48.3 47.7 44.7 44.7 46.1 45.3

18.2 18.717.1 17.3 17.7 17.5

28.3 29.3 33.7 33.4 31.3 32.9

4.20 4.20 4.20 4.20 4.20 4.20

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%

Rice bran Sawdust Rice straw Rice husk Sorghumhead

Sorghumfoliage

H2OCO2COH�

Mixture of gases by gasification of partial oxidation produced bMixture of gases by gasification of partial oxidation produced by y various materialsvarious materials

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Sawdust Bark Chip Bamboo Salix Waste RiceBran

RiceStraw

Sorghum

% daf% Dry WeightHeat Yield

Methanol yield (weight %) and heat yield of various biomass mateMethanol yield (weight %) and heat yield of various biomass materials.rials.dafdaf: percentage of methanol weight to dry biomass weight without dr: percentage of methanol weight to dry biomass weight without dry ashy ash

0.010.0

20.030.040.050.0

60.070.0

Rice bran Sawdust Ricestraw

Rice husk Sorghumhead

Sorghumfoliage

Yield %

Dry weightHeating value

Methanol yield of various materials: we do not need to use our fMethanol yield of various materials: we do not need to use our food ood for for biomethanolbiomethanol production by this technology.production by this technology.

Size and handling characteristics of Size and handling characteristics of bran, straw and huskbran, straw and husk

RoughRough-- and microand micro--crushing neededcrushing needed

0.070.0750507.97.9SorghumSorghum

MicroMicro--crushing needed or crushing needed or no microno micro--crushing with crushing with

ceramic wool ceramic wool

0.070.07--0.780.78SawdustSawdustMicroMicro--crushing neededcrushing needed0.110.11--2.052.05HuskHuskMicroMicro--crushing neededcrushing needed--4004003.03.0--4.04.0Straw Straw

No microNo micro--crushing neededcrushing needed0.310.31--0.310.31Bran Bran

LengthLengthDiameterDiameter

Handling Handling characteristicscharacteristics

DensityDensity(g/ml)(g/ml)

Size (mm)Size (mm)BiomassBiomass

““Norin Green No. 1Norin Green No. 1””,,a test plant of biomethanol a test plant of biomethanol production (MAFF and Mitsubishi production (MAFF and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries)Heavy Industries)

There are 2 test plants in JapanThere are 2 test plants in Japan

CHCH33OHOH

SupplyerSupplyer

����

OxygenOxygen

• Gas reactiionCO H2O CO2 H2 Q

• Gasification reactionCH2O CO H2 Q

• oxidationCH2O O2 CO2 H2O Q

H2O

CO 2H2 CH3OH Q

CO2 3H2 CH3OH H2O QRadiation of heat)

Radiation of heat

AshAsh

DrainageDrainageGasifying Gasifying agentsagents

BoilerBoiler

16.0%16.0%Run7Run7DriftDrift--woodwood

20.2%20.2%Run6Run6Cut Cut TreeTree

18.5%18.5%Run3Run3CedarCedar

Methanol Methanol Yield by Yield by

Weight %Weight %

Purity ca.95%Purity ca.95%

Methanol Yield 20% (by weight) was attainedMethanol Yield 20% (by weight) was attainedPractical Plant level: 40%Practical Plant level: 40%

Methanol ProductionMethanol Production

Objective abilityObjective ability Boiler size and Boiler size and methanol yield (weight %)methanol yield (weight %)

Larger the betterLarger the betterYield (weight Yield (weight )) Methanol weight produced/Dry weight of raw materialsMethanol weight produced/Dry weight of raw materials

00

1010

2020

3030

4040

5050

6060

11 1010 100100Boiler size Boiler size t/dayt/day

Yiel

dYi

eld ��

wei

ght

wei

ght ����

Methanol yield (Test plant)Methanol yield (Practical plant)

Objective yield of test plant

Objective yield of practical plant

22

40~50%40~50%20%20%Methanol Yield Methanol Yield

(by weight)(by weight)

70~75%70~75%65%65%Yield (Heating value %)Yield (Heating value %)

100100t/dayt/day22t/dayt/dayBoiler SizeBoiler Size

Dry biomass to be Dry biomass to be processedprocessed

Practical PlantPractical PlantTest PlantTest PlantItemItem

Yield (Heating value %) = Gas mixture produced/Raw materialYield (Heating value %) = Gas mixture produced/Raw materialYield (Weight %) = Methanol produced/Dry weight of raw materialYield (Weight %) = Methanol produced/Dry weight of raw material

Objective abilityObjective ability Test plant and practical plantTest plant and practical plant

ConclusionConclusionConclusion1)1) We can produce methanol by any kind of biomass We can produce methanol by any kind of biomass

(even lignin) with different yields. Therefore, we don(even lignin) with different yields. Therefore, we don’’t t need to use our food for need to use our food for biofuelbiofuel production.production.

2)2) Saw dust and rice bran is estimated to produce high Saw dust and rice bran is estimated to produce high methanol yield (55 %; by weight); rice straw and methanol yield (55 %; by weight); rice straw and husks returned ca. 36 and 39 %, respectively.husks returned ca. 36 and 39 %, respectively.

3)3) Wood chips, rice straw, husks and bran are clean Wood chips, rice straw, husks and bran are clean when they are gasified (little S0when they are gasified (little S0xx,N0,N0xx).).

4)4) Saw dust and rice bran can be used as raw materials Saw dust and rice bran can be used as raw materials without any processing; microwithout any processing; micro--crushing is required for crushing is required for rice straw and husks.rice straw and husks.

Application of this technology into agricultural and forest industries in Japan

Application of this technology into Application of this technology into agricultural and forest industries in Japanagricultural and forest industries in Japan

The positive economic effects of biomethanol The positive economic effects of biomethanol production on Japanese farming system and production on Japanese farming system and social system will come through by reducing COsocial system will come through by reducing CO22emission.emission.

1) recycling of abandoned upland and paddy field, 1) recycling of abandoned upland and paddy field, and woodland in mountainous areas. and woodland in mountainous areas.

2) recycling of overproduced animal manure 2) recycling of overproduced animal manure 3) recycling of wastes of agricultural and Forest 3) recycling of wastes of agricultural and Forest

products.products.4) generating new industry in depopulated 4) generating new industry in depopulated

mountainous areas and small islands.mountainous areas and small islands.

Application of this technology into Application of this technology into Agriculture and forest industry system Agriculture and forest industry system

in Asian and African countriesin Asian and African countries

Second only to food production policies, energy policy is among Second only to food production policies, energy policy is among the the most important issues confronting Asian and African nations.most important issues confronting Asian and African nations.

1) The consumption of electricity and petroleum is dramatically 1) The consumption of electricity and petroleum is dramatically increasing and will be increasing much more in the future.increasing and will be increasing much more in the future.

2) Most of these countries are relying on fossil fuels, coal, pe2) Most of these countries are relying on fossil fuels, coal, petroleum and troleum and natural gas, which will run short in a few decades.natural gas, which will run short in a few decades.

3) The developing countries located in tropical and subtropical 3) The developing countries located in tropical and subtropical regions regions should pursue the development of a should pursue the development of a biofuelbiofuel--based energy resource based energy resource because photosynthesis (biomass production) of plants is higher because photosynthesis (biomass production) of plants is higher in in the regions.the regions.

4) Amount of by products of Agriculture, forest and fruit tree i4) Amount of by products of Agriculture, forest and fruit tree industry ndustry (plantation) including oil palm is huge in tropical and subtropi(plantation) including oil palm is huge in tropical and subtropical cal regions.regions.

The future of humanity (the environment, the earth The future of humanity (the environment, the earth and mankind) will be directed by the decisions we and mankind) will be directed by the decisions we make today.make today.

a) The development of a sustainable biofuel production a) The development of a sustainable biofuel production system.system.

OrOr

b) The adherence to the traditional fossil fuel system.b) The adherence to the traditional fossil fuel system.

This C1 chemical transformation technology This C1 chemical transformation technology suggest one possibility for biomethanol production suggest one possibility for biomethanol production because it can use all types of biomass efficiently because it can use all types of biomass efficiently as raw materials.as raw materials.

Thank youThank you