Japan's National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have jointly developed a prototype of equipment that can synthesize methanol from biomass resources such as straw, rice bran, and wood chip waste.

By heating crushed raw materials to about 1000 degrees Celsius and adding oxygen and steam, they are converted to hydrogen and carbon monoxide. After refining, methanol is produced. This equipment can convert any biomass materials containing carbohydrates into methanol, making it possible to yield fuels by recycling sawmill residues and agricultural wastes that were not fully used in the past. Further practical applications of this renewable energy plant are anticipated, as it can also help reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the use of fossil fuels.



Posted: 2002/09/25 04:42:08 PM
Japanese version

TAG Eco-product/Business , Global warming , Manufacturing industry , Material reduction , Technology , University/Research institute