Asia Biomass Energy Researchers Invitation Programme 2010 Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether (DME) from Woody Biomass Syngas

via One Step Synthesis Process over Bi-functional Catalysts

Rafidah Jalil Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia

Supporting by New Energy Foundation (NEF)

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Presentation Outlines
About FRIM Research Project Theme Research Activities Biomass Resources Available in Malaysia Research Project Output Future Prospect Impact of Research Acknowledgement

About FRIM
FRIM ~ one of the leading institutions in tropical forestry research. 486-ha site in Kepong located 16 km northwest of Kuala Lumpur Director-General: Dato' Dr. Abdul Latif Mohmod. FRIM promotes sustainable management & optimal use of forest resources by generating knowledge and technology through research, development & application
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About FRIM
Mission To achieve excellence in scientific research, development & forestry services. Vision To make FRIM a world-class tropical forest research institute. Functions Planning & implementing research for the development of the forestry sector and conservation of forest resources Obtaining and disseminating research information to enhance forest management and the use of forest products Establishing joint research and joint forest development with other 4 bodies within and outside Malaysia.

Current Research in FRIM

Forestry & Environment

Forest Biotechnology

Forest Biodiversity

Medicinal Plants

Charcoal Briquette Solid Fuel Bioenergy Programme Pellet Activated Carbon Biodiesel Liquid Fuel
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Bioethanol Bio Oil

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Research Project Theme

Sustainable Utilization and Production Technology of Biofuel for Asian Countries Host Agency National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Chugoku, Hiroshima, Japan Host Researchers Dr. Kinya Sakanishi Director of Biomass Technology Research Center Dr. Tomohisa Miyazawa Biomass Technology Research Center
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Research Activities
2009 Syngas Production from Malaysia Oil Palm Trunk via Gasification Process

2010 Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether (DME) from Woody Biomass Syngas via One Step Synthesis Process over Bifunctional Catalysts

Introduction: Research Activity

Products from Syngas

Syngas Production Process

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Syngas Production Process

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DME Synthesis Process

Reaction Conditions Pressure = 2 Mpa Temperature = 230 - 300 0C Gas Flow Rate = 50 - 100 ml/min Catalyst weight = 3 - 5 gram GHSV = 600 - 1200 ml/g.cat.hr

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Biomass Resources in Malaysia

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Types of Biomass in Malaysia

Biomass

Municipal Wastes

Oil Palm

EFB MSW Sugarcane Rice Wood Shell Landfill Gas Bagasse

Husk
Straw

Forest POME

Organic Fertlizer

Molasses

Sawmill Fibre

Fronds/ trunk

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Oil Palm Biomass supply Outlook in Peninsular Malaysia (2007 -2020)

Year 2007-2010 2011-2013 2014-2016 2017-2020 Felled trunk (mill.tonnes/yr) 3.23 4.28 3.58 2.97 Prunned frond (mill.tonnes/yr) 6.89 6.80 7.05 7.14 EFB (mill. tonnes/yr) 2.82 2.83 2.91 2.81

Source: Biofuel Database in East Asia

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Oil Palm Trunk

Plywood manufacture waste (60%)

Generated every >25 years cycle during replanting Cannot be used as timber as is. Current utilization- plywood manufacture which uses only 40% 60% wastes unutilized
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Research Project Output

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Baseline Study 1: Syngas from Oil Palm Trunk

Syngas Ratio & Producer Gas Composition using Different Types of Gasifying Agent
100.00 90.00 80.00 70.00 60.00 50.00 40.00 30.00 20.00 10.00 0.00
Air O2-CO2 Steam-O2 Steam-O2-CO2 Steam-Air

1.60
1.40 1.20

Producer Gas Composition (%)

1.00
0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00 Gasifying Agent

N2 (%)

CO (%)

H2 (%)

CO2 (%)

CH4 (%)

O2 (%)

H2/CO Ratio

H2/CO Ratio

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Output
Oil palm trunk (OPT) ~ potential feedstock for syngas production Gasifying agent ~ air, steam, O2 and CO2 Syngas ratio ~ 1.33 (S/C = 1.00) When using higher S/C, syngas ratio = 1.84 (H2 = 36.4%, CO = 19.7%) using steam with S/C = 3.20 Syngas ratio > 1 ~ Potential for DME production DME used for fuel engine DME ~ lower content Nox emissions, less engine noise and smoke production
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Baseline Study 2: DME Production

Comparison of DME Yield for Different Types of Catalyst at the same Reaction Conditions
1.00 0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 0.00 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 Catalyst 2 5.0 6.0 Reaction time (hr) Commercial Catalyst Catalyst 1 Reaction pressure Reaction Temperature Feed Gas Flow Rate Catalyst weight GHSV = = 2 MPa = 280 0C = 50 ml/min = 3 gram 1000 ml/g.cat.hr 20

DME Yield (Vol. %)

Output
Optimum conditions for DME production using commercial catalyst obtained for duration of 5 hours reaction time; Reaction pressure = 2 MPa Reaction Temperature = 280 0C Feed Gas Flow Rate = 50 ml/min Catalyst weight = 3 gram GHSV = 1000 ml/g.cat.hr This condition used for DME production using local catalyst (Catalyst 1 & Catalyst 2) Catalyst 1 (0.72%) produced higher yield of DME compared to commercial catalyst (0.40%) ~ potential as local catalyst Higher yield can be obtain if increase the duration of synthesis reaction time until steady state condition achieve.
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Future Prospect
FRIM (Malaysia) Biomass Resources & Processing

Collaboration on DME Production from Oil Palm Trunk

AIST (Japan) Technology Provider

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Research Impact

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Individual
Exchange idea, experience and sharing knowledge with international institution in development of biofuel technology

Institution
Development of new research and technology related to syngas and its product production process

Country
Adopting new technology to utilized biomass materials waste into value added products for green energy technology
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Acknowledgement
I would like to take this opportunity to thanks to New Energy Foundation (NEF) National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Chugoku, Hiroshima, Japan. Dr. Kinya Sakanishi and Dr. Tomohisa Miyazawa for being my host researcher Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) All peoples involved in this research project

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