IHI to Implement Pilot Scale Experiment of Algae Mass Cultivation for Biofuel in Thailand
IHI Group announced today implementation of pilot scale experiment of algae mass cultivation for biofuel in Thailand, in cooperation with The Siam Cement Public Company Limited. (Pres.: Roongrote Rangsiyopash) and its affiliated company SCG Cement-Building Materials Co., Ltd.(Pres.: Pichit Maipoom). The project is supported by New Energy Industrial Technology Development Organization, NEDO (Chair.; Kazuo Furukawa).
The project aims to commercialize bio jet fuel production by developing integrated production process of microalgae based biofuel. The project is operated in partnership with Kobe University (Pres.: Hiroshi Takeda). IHI Group has conducted R&D to produce algae-based biofuel with the support of NEDO (*1), using hyper-growth Botryococcus braunii (*2). In 2015, IHI Group succeeded in large scale cultivation of the algae with 1,500 square meter open pond. In Thailand, IHI Group will construct a cultivation plant with enlarged the capacity of cultivation pond up to 10,000 square meter scale to conduct pilot scale experiment of algae mass cultivation. During this pilot scale experiment, IHI Group aims to explore the feasibility of algae mass cultivation through stable operation of the plant and cost reduction, as well as identifying issues upon industrialization phase.
| Location | : | Saraburi, Thailand |
| Operation Period | : | FY2017 ~ FY2018 |
IHI Group aims to contribute on reduction of aviation fuel derived CO2 by realization of bio jet fuel production from this project.
(*1) IHI Corporation, Kobe University, and Chitose Laboraory Corporation has succeeded in cultivating mass scale algae cultivation with 1,500 square meter open pond from FY2012 to FY2016, supported by NEDO’s “Strategic Development of Next-generation Bioenergy Utilization Technology” program.
(*2) Hyper-growth Botryococcus is the strain of algae that is uniquely featured with exceptionally high growth rate and high hydrocarbon oil content, which is anticipated as alternative to fossil derived oil, up to 50% by dry weight..