The world's first technology that does not emit liquid fuel CO2 from bovine manure

Okoppe Town　in Hokkaido and Osaka University on the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk will embark on the development of new industries using dairy cow manure. The plan is to use the world's first technology to convert biogas generated from manure into liquid fuel such as methanol and use it locally as energy for "decarbonization" that does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2). There is a possibility that dairy farming will spread to various parts of Hokkaido.

　Okoppe and Osaka, the industrial gas giant Air Water Hokkaido ( Sapporo ), Iwata Jisaki construction (same) is 9 days, Sapporo press conference in, announced that it will build a test plant within two years in the town .. Okoppe Town and Osaka University have signed a partnership agreement in 2019 to promote joint research, but with the addition of two private companies, they will start practical application in "All Hokkaido".

　If methanol is produced using all the manure of about 10,000 dairy cows in the town, it will be enough to cover the total amount of energy used in public facilities and fish processing facilities in the town and two-thirds of the energy of the dairy factory. That is.

　The test plant will utilize the technology developed for the first time in the world by Professor Takashi Okubo ( photoorganic chemistry ) of Osaka University . Methane contained in biogas is dissolved in a special liquid and exposed to ultraviolet rays to convert it into methanol and formic acid. It can work at normal temperature and pressure and does not emit CO2. The conversion efficiency of methanol has also improved significantly from the conventional 1% to 14% (formic acid has increased from 0% to 85%), and "it can be used up without waste" (Professor Okubo).

　Okoppe in, but also deals biogas power generation utilizing the manure, of renewable energy feed-in tariffs if the effective use of bio-gas after the end of the (FIT) by the sale of electricity period was a challenge. Instead of electricity, which is difficult to store, we will convert it to liquid fuel methanol or formic acid so that it can be stored, and draw a concept that will lead to the creation of a "decarbonized" city.

　As a concrete utilization measure of methanol, in addition to having it used in factories as a fuel instead of heavy oil, it will be supplied to fuel cells to generate electricity and supply electricity to public facilities. We are also considering using electric vehicles (EVs) for public vehicles and raw milk transportation vehicles . Formic acid can be used as an additive in cattle feed, and it can also be used as a raw material for hydrogen, which is attracting attention as next-generation energy.

　If the cost is reduced by mass production, we will consider selling methanol, which is also a raw material for various products such as synthetic fibers, paints, and pesticides. According to Professor Okubo, all methanol depends on imports, but if all domestic dairy cow manure is used, 20% of the imports can be replaced.

　And practical use to enhance the test plant to the prospect of the fiscal year 24, since 30 year -cho Okoppe aims also expand outside the province of the other. Mayor Hazama said, "Dairy farming is expanding significantly, but the issue is how to deal with the excrement that is generated. Research is accelerating, and not only for the town but for the development of Hokkaido as a whole and Japanese industry. I want to play an important role. "

Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP29750DP29IIPE005.html