Thailand’s NSTDA and REI International have engaged in a cooperative effort to develop the Asia Biomass Center into a “world class” international institute.  The Center will validate emerging renewable resource processes that are suited for remote and rural applications with a specific emphasis on those applications ideally adaptable for Asia’s climate and infrastructure. Renewable resource technologies will include processes for the efficient, economical, and clean production of renewable energy, fuels, and materials from varying sources of biomass. Thus far, REI International and the ABC team have developed three collaborative projects.

Title: Characterize the Ash Product(s) from the Thermochemical Conversion Processes and Carry out Studies to Determine Disposal Strategies and Possible Commercial Uses in California

The City of Gridley, California, has been exploring ways in which to solve a local waste problem involving rice straw.  REI International and a team or researchers are carrying out pilot studies to convert rice straw to ethanol. Approximately 100 lbs and 15 lbs of ash from the combustion of rice hulls and rice straw, respectively, have been collected and sent to the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) laboratory in Bangkok. The ABC team is carrying out R&D studies in collaboration with REI International to determine possible commercial uses for this ash including:

1) Mullites
2) Building Materials 
3) Soil Amendments:
4) Water Purification:

Title:  Community-based biodiesel pilot study and factory in Klong 13, Nong Moo Sub District, Wi-Han Dang District, Saraburi Province, Thailand

Millions of rural people in the region have a high dependency on non-renewable energy sources for domestic and commercial purposes.  The emerging sector of biofuels for either barter or sale will provides one of the few options available for rural people to generate a trade surplus or establish a livelihood through traditional farming systems that are self-sustaining and energy efficient.  While the research for growing biofuel crops is well founded and continues to receive attention, the knowledge and capacity for supporting the sub-sector remains weak and under-developed in most Asian countries. As a result, agricultural lands continue to be degraded; stocks of petroleum and natural gas resources continue to be depleted; the distribution of benefits stays skewed; and, the overall potential of the sub-sector to contribute to rural development remains unrealized.

Due to this unrealized market potential, ABC and REI International are supporting  research on Jatrophas curcas so that the Center becomes the recognized leaders in biofuel crop research for Thailand and the Asian region. There are four ways in which this collaboration will support the ABC’s Community-based biodiesel pilot study in Klong 13, Nong Moo Sub District, Wi-Han Dang District, Saraburi Province, Thailand:

1.  Jatrophas curcas Bi-Product Development

• Fuel Pellet Market Analysis
• Massage Oil Market Analysis
• Plywood/ Particle Board Market Analysis
• Fiber/ Paper
• Carbon market

2. Jatrophas curcas Biofuel crop research trials in America (either in Texas or California) to compare with Thailand’s research trials

3. International recognition of ABC’s Jatropha research and community pilot study.
4. Development and mobilization of small mobile gasification unit for rural electrification.

Title:  A Comparative “E5” Assessment of Electric Power and Alternative Fuels Derived from Renewable Biomass and Natural Gas Resources in Thailand and California

The objective of this project is to carry out comparative “5E” assessments for the conversion of renewable biomass and natural gas (NG) to energy and fuels.  Several conversion technologies will be chosen that have the highest commercial potential with respect to the “E5” assessment approach stated above. This approach will be used for:

• Determining the viability of promising technologies for the conversion of various waste biomass feedstock’s to renewable energy, renewable fuels and renewable chemical products.
• Determining the practicality of converting natural gas to clean, conventional and alternative fuels.
• Comparing the development of alternative fueling infrastructures (e.g. renewable diesel and ethanol fuels) from various waste biomass feedstocks.
• Determining the likelihood that the transportation industry will be able to effectively utilize these fuels in their current and next-generation vehicles and that these vehicles will be acceptable to the public in the foreseeable future.

This “5E” assessment approach will be used to provide strategic guidance for the commercial application of renewable biomass conversion technologies with respect to sustainability and environmental quality, cost effectiveness, security, job creation and rural economic development. 

This “5E” assessment will be carried out for eight different conversion technologies that have the potential of converting waste agricultural biomass and natural gas to energy and fuels.  These prototype production plants will be sited near agricultural waste and natural gas resources in Northern California and Thailand.