Thailand: Problem of producing cheap biofuel from cassava solved

Thailand: Problem of producing cheap biofuel from cassava solved

The state's research agency and energy policymakers have finally discovered
a way to produce biofuel from cassava at a competitive cost, says a senior
Energy Ministry official.

A researcher works at a pilot plant for producing cassava-based ethanol
designed by Thailand Institute of Science and Technological Research.

Previously the use of cassava in ethanol production was not viable despite
the abundance of the shrub, because the production costs were far higher
than those for fuel derived from molasses, the by-product of refining
sugarcane into sugar.

After 18 months of research and experiments, the Thailand Institute of
Science and Technological Research (TISTR) has found that they can use a
species of yeast named Saccharomyces Cerevisiae in the cassava fermentation
process, resulting in ethanol with a far lower per unit cost.

The yeast is well suited to ethanol production as it is highly resistant to
high temperatures and can grow with the high content of sugar and alcohol
during the fermentation process.

"Due to the quality of the yeast, we can use it in cassava-based ethanol
production, resulting in ethanol with a quality and cost on par with that
from molasses," said Praphon Wongtharua, director-general for the Department
of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE).

Employing the yeast can lower the production cost of cassava-based ethanol
by 80 satang per litre or almost 4% from 21.5 baht a litre to 20.7.

"We are excited by the new discovery as it will not only give us more
choices in using green fuels. What's more, it will also help reduce the
burden for farmers when cassava prices decline due to output gluts," said Mr
Praphon.

The DEDE has supported the TISTR financially in a bid to find the new fuel
options for the country.

The research budget is undisclosed.

The TISTR has also designed a new cassava-based ethanol production process
to serve its future plans to push the research to become commercially
viable.

"We are modifying existing ethanol production to make it more efficient,
boosting productivity as much as 33% higher than that garnered from
widely-used ethanol production methods," he said.

Currently, the TISTR is operating a small pilot plant in Rangsit, Pathum
Thani.

Thailand's total ethanol production as of the end of 2016 was 4.7 million
litres per day, made by 21 producers across the country. Of the producers,
33% uses feed stock from cassava and the rest use molasses or sugar cane
juice.

He said that the next TISTR mission is to find other species of yeast that
can be used in the cassava-based ethanol production with similar or better
outcomes, as a substitute should be prepared.

In tandem with the yeast species breakthrough, they are also conducting
research to boost productivity in the industry.

After the first stage of development is completed, the DEDE is hoping it
will find new investors, including existing ethanol producers, who can help
commercialise forthcoming TISTR innovations.

"We are very optimistic about the future as existing operators can invest in
this scheme to upgrade their productivity and cost efficiency. There are
also two ethanol plants under construction, and their owners might be
interested in investing in this technology," said Mr Praphon.

The DEDE will continue in its research and development efforts for
alternative fuels and renewable energy even though consumption has grown
more slowly than expected since crude prices began falling in 2014.

For example, an ethanol promotion plan that was intended to phase out
gasohol 91 by Jan 1 next year never got off the ground.

Thailand's National Alternative Energy Development Plan 2015 has set its
ethanol consumption target in 2022 at 9 million litres per day, and to 11.3
million litres in 2036.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1217909/problem-of-producing-cheap-
biofuel-from-cassava-solved

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com