Bangkok--18 Sep--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
The Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) and Honda R&D Co., Ltd. (Honda), the research and development subsidiary of Honda Motors, announced their successful cooperation to research ethanol production technology from soft biomass*, a plant-based renewable resource.
The CO2 emitted by the combustion of bio-ethanol is the same as what is used by plants during photosynthesis, and thus does not affect total CO2 level in the atmosphere. Bio-ethanol, therefore, has attracted attention as a carbon-neutral fuel — an energy source that can be effective as a countermeasure to global-warming.
However, bio-ethanol production currently faces supply shortages, as production depends on raw materials like sugarcane and corn, which are also used for food.
The collaborative research between Honda and RITE has established the basis of technology for producing alcohol fuel from cellulose and hemicellulose* present in soft biomass*, including the inedible leaves and stalks of plants like rice straw, the alcohol conversion of which has been difficult until now, thus representing a large step forward for practical application.
The RITE-Honda process, newly developed as an integration of RITE’s sophisticated bio-technology and Honda’s engineering technology, paves the road to bio-ethanol production from cellulose and hemicellulose, enabling a significant increase in production.
The process consists of the following operations:
I. Pretreatment for separating cellulose from soft biomass
II. Saccharification of cellulose and hemicellulose
III. Conversion of sugar into alcohol with microorganisms
IV. Alcohol refinement
Present technology allows fermentation inhibitors, collaterally formed mostly during the operation of separating cellulose and hemicellulose from soft-biomass, to interfere with the function of the microorganisms the convert sugar into alcohol, thus yielding extremely low levels of ethanol. This represents the largest obstacle to alcohol production from soft-biomass and an appropriate solution has not been found.
RITE, world-renowned for the development of bio-processes for chemical commodities production utilizing microorganisms, established the RITE process featuring remarkably high production efficiency, also has reported a number of achievements, including issues related to bio-ethanol production.
Honda and RITE have successfully developed the RITE-Honda process, which substantially reduces the harmful influence of fermentation inhibitors, by utilizing the RITE bacterium, a microorganism developed by RITE to convert sugar into alcohol, and by applying Honda’s engineering technology, enabling a significant increase in the efficiency of alcohol conversion compared to conventional cellulosic bio-ethanol production processes.
The RITE-Honda process, by enabling a significant increase in the production of bio-ethanol, and expansion of utilization, holds enormous potential for a large step forward toward the realization of socially sustainable energy.
This achievement provides a solution to the last remaining obstacle to soft-biomass ethanol production. Thus, Honda and RITE will continue to implement research for industrialization, and development to systemize the four operations, currently under independent treatment, into continuous flow within one plant, in order to pursue energy conservation and cost reductions by energy-recycling* within a continuous system.
A pilot-plant demonstration experiment is envisioned to verify the social compatibility and economic efficiency of the new bio-alcohol production system.
RITE and Honda, based on the success of their collaborative research, are pursuing advances in bio-refinery* for the production of not only ethanol, but various industrial commodities like biomass automotive materials to contribute to the prevention of global warming by further reducing CO2 levels, aiming to realize a sustainable society.
Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE)
Overview
Established in 1990 by a joint investment of the Japanese government and private enterprises, RITE conducts fundamental research on technologies to counter global warming. RITE is engaged in stabilizing climate change through the development of alternative energies and CO2 sequestration technologies.
Location: Kizugawa-dai, kizu-cho soraku-gun, Kyoto, JAPAN
President: Yoshihisa Akiyama
Honda R&D CO., Ltd. Fundamental Research Center
Overview:
The Fundamental Research Center is an organization for fundamental research and development within Honda R&D, the research and development subsidiary of Honda Motors. Established in April 1986 the Center has been engaged in the development of the bipedal walking humanoid robot, ASIMO, and HondaJet, as well as fundamental research on the bio- and energy-sectors.
Location: Wako-shi, Saitama, JAPAN
Director: Tomohiko Kawanabe (Senior Managing Director of Honda R&D)
* Biomass
Biomass is a non-fossil renewable organic resource of biologic origin. In a limited sense, the term refers to livestock excrement, waste wood, and plant residue after removal of edible parts. Biomass is organic substance of plants that is produced by photosynthesis from atmospheric CO2 and water and does not increase the atmospheric CO2 when burned.
* Cellulose and hemicellulose
Main ingredients of fibrous part of plants. Consists 1/3 of natural vegetable materials. Conventional technology has been insufficient to utilize cellulose as feedstock for alcohol production.
* Energy-recycling within continuous flow system
Utilization of heat and energy within the system at high efficiency as a key to reduce costs. For example, heat from one operation, among four, can be used for reaction promotion of another operation.
* Bio-refinery
A concept opposed to oil-refining, meaning plants or technologies for the production of bio-fuels and resins based on biomass feedstock.
Media information, please contact: Ref: NR2006-15-140906
Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Ref: NR2006-16-150906
Waraporn Pongpaiboon Tel. (0) 2236-0256 ext 1552 Email: [email protected]
Benjawan Suesat Tel. (0) 22360256 ext. 1554 Email: [email protected]
Media information, please contact:
Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Jaruwan Vorarakthananune Tel. (0) 2252 9871 Email: [email protected]
Satida Srithunyatorn Tel. (0) 2252 9871 Email: [email protected]
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