All publications

Transforming supermarket food waste to resource: A sustainability assessment of biochar conversion using carbon footprint and life cycle cost analyses

Pornpawit Karpkerd, Suneerat Fukuda, Trairat Muangthong-on

Cleaner Engineering and Technology · 2026

This study analyzed categories and quantity SFW generation from a supermarket in Thailand. Supermarket food waste (SFW) from a supermarket in Bangkok was collected, classified, and analyzed. This study assessed the carbon footprint (CF) and life cycle cost (LCC) of four management scenarios: landfilling, energy-recovery incineration, and biochar conversions for utilization as alternative fuel and soil amendment—using a functional unit of one tonne of generated SFW. CF was calculated using the IPCC 2013 LCIA method, while LCC included investment, operation, and maintenance costs. The results revealed that Fruits and vegetables (67.91%) were predominant in SFW, highlighting its suitability for organic waste conversion, while plastics (78.69%) constituted the majority of supermarket packaging waste (SPW), highlighting potential for segregation and material recovery. Landfilling imposed the highest environmental and economic burdens, with CF of 622.31 kgCO 2 eq and LCC of 66.64 USD. Energy-recovery incineration produced CF of 273.57 kgCO 2 eq and LCC benefit of -25.27 USD. Biochar conversion as alternative fuel resulted in avoided CF of -57.53 kgCO 2 eq and LCC of 33.51 USD, while biochar as soil amendment provided the greatest avoided CF of -560.33 kgCO 2 eq but incurred LCC of 54.71 USD. These results highlight the environmental benefits of SFW biochar conversion, particularly for soil amendment application, though economic performance must be improved to enhance competitiveness. • Fruits and vegetables was the majority among supermarket food waste (67.91%). • Energy-recovery incineration offered financial benefits. • SFW biochar utilizations offered environmental benefits.

Torrefied biomass pellet production from rubber wood wastes and corn wastes in pilot-scale vibrating torrefaction system

Suneerat Fukuda, Jaggapan Sanduang, Supachita Krerkkaiwan

Fuel Processing Technology · 2026

Combining densification with torrefaction can substantially improve fuel properties, including energy content, grindability, and hydrophobicity, enabling torrefied pellets to replace coal in pulverized fuel boilers. This study investigates biomass pellet torrefaction using an innovative vibrating torrefaction system developed in this work, representing the first pilot-scale technical assessment of Thai biomass feedstocks. The objectives were to evaluate torrefied pellet properties and assess production costs. Rubber wood waste pellets (RWP) and corn waste pellets (CWP) were torrefied at 220–300 °C with residence times of 16 and 30 mins. The results indicate that increasing torrefaction severity enhanced fuel quality, with the heating value (HHV) reaching 22.4 MJ/kg, approximately 20% higher than raw pellets, along with improved grindability and moisture resistance. These improvements were accompanied by reductions in mass and energy yields, indicating that heating value alone is insufficient to assess process performance and that energy yield must also be considered. Specific electricity consumption ranged from 624 to 1161 kWh/ton of product, depending on torrefaction severity and mass yield. A preliminary cost analysis, accounting for capital investment, feedstock cost and electricity consumption, estimated production costs of 8000–11,000 THB/ton of torrefied pellets.

Exploring Supermarket Food Waste: Management Practices, Stakeholder Perspectives, and Policy Relevance toward Sustainability

Pornpawit Karpkerd, Suneerat Fukuda, Trairat Muangthong-on

ACS Environmental Au · 2026

Abstract This study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine Supermarket Food Waste (SFW) and Packaging (SPK) generations, as well as current management practices implemented by supermarkets and public agencies, using Bangkok, Thailand as a case study. Two supermarket chains provided SFW data and participated in interviews, along with three agencies from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and four private waste processors were interviewed to explore the current SFW management practices. Carbon Footprint (CF) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analyses were also conducted to support the development of policy recommendations for sustainable SFW management. Results indicated that fruits and vegetables and plastics constituted the largest portion of SFW and SPK, accounting for 92.09% and 80.20% respectively, with a packaging-to-food weight ratio of 0.09 kg SPK/kg SFW. Thematic analysis revealed that strong public-private partnerships between supermarket parent companies and public agencies significantly influenced operational efforts, leading to successful SFW management. Based on these findings, policy recommendations were developed across three dimensions: environmental, economic, and policy; tailored to supermarkets and public agencies to support sustainable SFW management.

Two-Phase Approach for Designing Sustainable Biomass Supply Chains for Community-Scale Biomass Power Plants in Thailand

Athipthep Boonman, Suneerat Fukuda, Shubham Tiwari, Florian Kraxner

Energies · 2025

This study proposes a novel two-phase model framework for designing sustainable biomass supply chains of Community-Scale Biomass Power Plants (CSBPPs) by optimization based on geospatial-based Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM), the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and the Location–Allocation Model. Phase I involved land suitability criteria prioritization and suitable land area analysis. The location–allocation model was the main tool used in Phase II to identify optimal locations, followed by the analysis of the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The model optimized site location based on the availability (remaining) of local crop residues, electricity demand, road networks and other key criteria for power plant development, such as the location of substations and the location of existing power plants. The results show that the estimated total remaining crop residue potential in the EEC region was 2403 kt/year, which can generate approximately 34,156 TJ. The location–allocation model identified the top five locations for CSBPPs. The total required installed capacity of these five locations was approximately 100.23 MW in order to serve the district energy demand by the residential sector of 793.82 million (kWh/year). Assuming direct combustion-steam turbine technology with an installed capacity of 6–10 MW, the average LCOE was found to be in a range of $0.076 to $0.081 USD/kWh.

Spatial Multi-Criteria Land Suitability Analysis for Community-Scale Biomass Power Plant Site Selection

Athipthep Boonman, Suneerat Fukuda, Agapol Junpen

Energies · 2025

Community-scale biomass power plants (CSBPPs) offer a decentralized approach for electricity generation by utilizing locally available biomass while delivering socioeconomic benefits. Site selection plays a critical role in the success of CSBPPs and requires the consideration of diverse spatial and non-spatial factors. This study presents a spatial decision-support tool for identifying suitable CSBPP sites in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which comprises the Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong provinces. A geoprocessing workflow integrating Geographic Information Systems (GISs), Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM), and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was developed using ModelBuilder tools in ArcGIS Pro (version 3.0.2). Thirteen sub-criteria related to geographical, infrastructural, and socioeconomic–cultural dimensions, along with exclusion zones, were evaluated by 15 experts from diverse stakeholder groups. Biomass availability from five major economic crops was combined with other spatial data layers, incorporating expert-assigned weights and suitability scores. The findings indicated a remaining biomass energy potential was 34,156 TJ, with sugarcane residues contributing over 80%. Approximately 20% of the EEC area (about 0.262 million hectares) was classified as highly suitable for CSBPP development, revealing several viable site options. The proposed model offers a flexible and replicable framework for regional biomass planning and can be adapted to other locations by adjusting the criteria and integrating optimization techniques.

Bio-oil production from the catalytic pyrolysis of raw and torrefied corn waste by using MgO and CaO catalysts

Kyaw Thu, Suneerat Fukuda, Supachita Krerkkaiwan

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science · 2024

Abstract This research investigates the influence of torrefaction and catalytic pyrolysis of raw corn waste (RCW) to upgrade the quality of bio-oil. RCW was torrefied at 280°C for 16 mins to produce torrefied corn waste (TCW). Natural basic oxides (CaO and MgO) catalysts were selected because of inexpensive and high catalytic performance. Pyrolysis experiments were conducted in a bench-scaled bubbling fluidized bed reactor at 500°C. The effects of torrefaction and the presence of a catalyst on the pyrolysis product both yield and composition were investigated. The results from non-catalytic pyrolysis revealed that TCW pyrolysis gave 15 wt.% lower in oil yield, and about 6.8 wt.% lower in gas yield but the char yield was approximately 22 wt.% higher compared to the pyrolysis of RCW. Considering the effect of catalyst, the yield of bio-oil reduced slightly, while the yield of char and gas increased compared to non-catalytic pyrolysis for both RCW and TCW. The bio-oil composition derived from TCW pyrolysis contained more phenolic and aromatic compounds and significantly lower oxygenated compounds when compared to that of RCW pyrolysis. Moreover, with the presence of the catalysts, the bio-oil composition and HHVs of bio-oil was also improved.

Investigating fouling deposition during combustion of hydrothermally treated palm empty fruit Bunch: Pilot-Scale study for industrial hydrothermal reactor

Jaggapan Sanduang, Suneerat Fukuda, Kanyarat Saritpongteeraka, Sumate Chaiprapat

Bioresource Technology · 2024

PREFACE: SPECIAL ISSUE "SEE2022"

Suneerat Fukuda, Ashwani K. Gupta

International Journal of Energy for a Clean Environment · 2023

have organized a series of SEE biennial conferences since 2004.The SEE conferences have served as a forum for disseminating recent progress and advances in science, technology, and innovation and addressed issues of energy, environment, and climate change.The SEE2022 also continued to adhere to this theme but with a strong emphasis on sustainable innovation and energy transition to meet net zero emission ambitions by the end of the century and underpinning sustainable growth and development in the region and globally.The topics included future energy systems, bio-circular economy, smart cities and electric mobility, environmental and climate technologies, and energy and climate policy.The organizer of SEE2022 decided to associate with IJECE to publish some of the selected energy-related papers presented at SEE2022 as a special issue of IJECE to bring our research work to wider audience.All the conference papers went through a peer-review process by the referees assigned by the conference organizer to evaluate for their quality.The authors of the recommended paper were invited to submit their full manuscript to IJECE following the

Investigation of ash formation and deposit characteristics in CFB co-combustion of coal with various biomass fuels

Thanet Unchaisri, Suneerat Fukuda

Journal of the Energy Institute · 2022

Sodium Alginate–Silica Composite Aerogels from Rice Husk Ash for Efficient Absorption of Organic Pollutants

Xinhong Han, Jiacheng Liang, Suneerat Fukuda, Lingjun Zhu, Shurong Wang

SSRN Electronic Journal · 2022

INFLUENCE OF BIOMASS PRETREATMENT ON SUBSEQUENT PYROLYSIS AND HYDRODEOXYGENATION IN BIO-BASED TRANSPORT FUELS AND CHEMICALS PRODUCTION: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Rishikesh Kumar Singh, Suneerat Fukuda, Shurong Wang

International Journal of Energy for a Clean Environment · 2022

The present article aims to review the influence of various biomass pretreatments on the production of bio-based transportation fuel and chemicals via pyrolysis and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). The article includes the influence of different thermochemical pretreatments such as dry torrefaction (DT), wet torrefaction (WT), steam explosion treatment (SET), hot water extraction (HWE), acid treatment (ACT), and alkali treatment (AKT) on bio-oil yield and bio-oil properties. HDO primarily includes dehydration, hydrogenolysis, decarbonylation, and hydrogenation. HDO can be classified based on stages (single and two-stage HDO), reaction pressure (high and low), and hydrogen presence (ex situ and in situ). The recent developments, advantages, and drawbacks associated with different types of HDO processes have been included. The article includes recent studies on designing various catalysts based on HDO conversion of different bio-oil compositions or selective model compounds to targeted bio-based products. The various biomass pretreatments impact the concentration of certain families of organic compounds present in bio-oil. Hence, the present review article also includes recommendations of specific biomass pretreatments for various HDO catalysts designed for selective model compounds or different bio-oil compositions. Few praiseworthy techno-economic analysis (TEA) studies on the influence of different biomass pretreatments on the minimum selling price (MSP) of bio-based products obtained at various production stages have been discussed.

Sodium alginate–silica composite aerogels from rice husk ash for efficient absorption of organic pollutants

Xinhong Han, Jiacheng Liang, Suneerat Fukuda, Lingjun Zhu, Shurong Wang

Biomass and Bioenergy · 2022

POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT OF GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION IN PATTAYA HOTELS, THAILAND

Tawika Suwanphitak, Suneerat Fukuda, Pipat Chaiwiwatworakul

MATTER International Journal of Science and Technology · 2021

Hotels in Thailand are one of the country's main economic growth sectors which inevitably result in increased sector energy use and cause a rise in GHG emissions. A study on the source of GHG emissions in the hotel sector can guide the suitable reduction measures. This paper reports the study results of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their reduction potential in 4- and 5-star hotels in Pattaya, Thailand. In the study, seven 4- and 5-star hotels participated in surveys to assess their GHG emissions from electricity use, stationary combustion, mobile combustion, refrigerant leak, wastewater, solid waste, and outsourced laundry. The data used in this study were based on the 2018 statistics. The average emission by the surveyed hotels was at 4,466.99 tCO2e/year, equivalent to 107.88 kgCO2e/m2-year, and 45.42 kgCO2e/room-night. Electricity use was the major activity accounting for 77% of the total emissions. Hence, the GHG reduction plan was put forth to the energy efficiency improvement of energy-intensive machines. The findings from surveyed hotels were used as the basis to estimate the GHG emissions and potential reduction for 4- and 5-star hotels in the whole of Pattaya. By the proposed improvement scheme, the potential to reduce the GHG emission was 13,818.28 tCO2e, for an equivalent reduction of 7.8% of the total GHG emissions. This study approach for GHG reduction can further be applied to other tourism hotels nationwide to support the country in achieving the national GHG emission reduction target and the sustainable tourism industry.

Investigation of multi‐fuel combustion behavior and synergy effect using improved steady‐state discrete particle model simulation

Surapoom Somwangthanaroj, Suneerat Fukuda

International Journal of Energy Research · 2020

Summary This paper presents a simulation study of municipal solid waste (MSW) combustion using a multi‐fuel combustion model, which was an extended version from the one previously developed by the authors. The model was a steady‐state model with partial transient implementation as user‐defined functions (UDF) developed in ANSYS Fluent platform to investigate the combustion behavior of fuel interacting in the solid and gas phases. The solid phase was simulated using discrete particle model (DPM). The extended simulation model took into consideration the difference of properties and combustion characteristics of different MSW components. The main improvement was the application of a newly developed algorithm that allows the influence of the surrounding particles and environment on the simulating particle and the possible synergy between them. The combustion and furnace zone of an MSW power plant in Hatyai, Thailand was the simulated case study and the measured temperatures from various sensor locations at the plant exhaust were used for model validation. The inputs for volatile combustion were obtained from pyrolysis experiments. For compatibility with GRI‐Mech 3.0, CH3CHO and C2H2 were used to represent the tar component. In the fuel bed zone, the simulated temperatures were higher than the measured temperatures up to 36%, which were the results of the complete combustion of the simulated fuel bed at too early location on the grate. For the fluid phase, the simulated mean temperature at the locations that were not affected by fuel bed combustion was approximately 6% different from the measured values. Synergy between particles was observed and attributed to the effect of nearby particles' properties on the combustion of simulating particle.

Agricultural and Municipal Waste Management in Thailand

Suneerat Fukuda

2020

CFD modeling of biomass grate combustion using a steady-state discrete particle model (DPM) approach

Surapoom Somwangthanaroj, Suneerat Fukuda

Renewable Energy · 2019

Experimental Study on Combustion Characteristics in a CFB during Co-firing of Coal with Biomass Pellets in Thailand

Thanet Unchaisri, Suneerat Fukuda, Awassada Phongphipat, Suvit Saetia, Boonrod Sajjakulnukit

International Energy Journal · 2019

This paper studies the effect of operating conditions, including excess air ratio and biomass shares in fuel mixtures on emissions (CO, NO x , SO 2 ) and ash characteristics from coal combustion during co-firing of coal with biomass pellets. The experiments were performed in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactor of 80 kW th capacity. The domestic biomass, including rice straw, eucalyptus and empty fruit bunch were used in pellet form as the supplementary fuels for co-firing with coal. In the experiments, the excess air ratios were varied over a range of 1.28–2.10, and the fuel feed rate was kept at 14 kg/h. The mass fractions of biomass pellets were at 25 wt% and 50 wt%. The combustion time was around eight hours after reaching a stable temperature. Flue gas emissions (CO, NO x , SO 2 ) were measured with a TESTO 350 XL flue gas analyzer. In order to investigate the effect of blending biomass pellets with ash characteristics, fly ash and bottom ash were collected and analyzed by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and a Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDS), respectively. The results showed that the excess air could promote complete combustion with decreasing CO emission. With the further increase in excess air, CO emission increased because of the insufficient residence time for complete combustion and the cooling effect. During co-firing experiments, the bed temperature in riser decreased by about 150–200°C as compared to coal combustion. NO x emissions for co-firing with rice straw pellets and empty fruit bunch pellets were lower than the emissions from coal. At high excess air, NO x concentration for co-firing of coal with 50 wt% eucalyptus pellets was higher than the concentration for coal alone. SO 2 emissions for co-firing with biomass pellets in all cases were lower than those from coal. The bed agglomeration was not observed in the spent bed during co-firing of coal with biomass pellets up to 50 wt%. However, the bed particles were coated with layers of elemental compositions corresponding with fuel ashes. FactSage software in the “Phase Diagram” module was used to predict the melting temperature of ash when coating the bed particles. The highest and the lowest melting temperatures of ash were 1734°C and 1410°C for coal combustion and co-firing of coal with empty fruit bunch at 50 wt%, respectively.

Investigating Agglomeration Tendency of Co-Gasification between High Alkali Biomass and Woody Biomass in a Bubbling Fluidized Bed System

Tanakorn Kittivech, Suneerat Fukuda

Energies · 2019

Palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) is known as problematic biomass due to its high alkali content, i.e., more than half of inorganic matter is potassium (K). EFB when used as a fuel in fluidized beds with silica sand as bed material could form the sticky compound K2O·nSiO2 starting at around 750 °C and adhere bed particles together, resulting in bed agglomeration. Blending EFB with rubber wood sawdust (RWS) could improve the chemical properties and consequent ash composition of the blended fuel. In this study, RWS was blended with EFB at three ratios: RWS:EFB = 25:75, RWS:EFB = 50:50, and RWS:EFB = 75:25. Adding RWS to the fuel prolonged de-fluidization time. The high content of CaO in the RWS ash acted as an inhibitor to prevent the formation of K2O·nSiO2 and, instead, enhanced the formation of K2CO3, a higher melting point compound, which reduced bed agglomeration. During the experiment using RWS:EFB = 75:25, no bed agglomeration was found.

Effect of Bed Material on Bed Agglomeration for Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Gasification in a Bubbling Fluidised Bed System

Tanakorn Kittivech, Suneerat Fukuda

Energies · 2019

The high level of potassium compounds in Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) induces ash-related problems, such as bed agglomeration, which is caused by the formation of a low-melting-point sticky compound: K2On·SiO2, especially in fluidised bed gasification using silica sand as bed material. Dolomite was found to be an effective alternative bed material for preventing bed agglomeration by the release of CaO via calcination processes during gasification. CaO acts as a catalyst to inhibit bed agglomeration by possibly enhancing the formation of K2CO3 instead of K2O·nSiO2. Alumina sand was also found to be a suitable alternative bed material to prevent bed agglomeration; however, due to the relatively high density of alumina sand, high gas velocity was needed to ensure good mixing and fluidisation. Using both dolomite and alumina sand as bed materials yielded a product gas having similar higher heating value (HHV) to that when using silica sand (i.e., 3.8–3.9 MJ/Nm3).

Catalytic effect of rice straw‐derived chars on the decomposition of naphthalene: The influence of steam activation and solvent treatment during char preparation

Supachita Krerkkaiwan, Suneerat Fukuda

Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering · 2019

Abstract Rice straw char (RSC) was prepared as the catalyst for naphthalene decomposition in this work. The effects of steam activation and solvent treatment on the catalytic naphthalene decomposition during the char preparation were investigated. Four chars were prepared: RSC, steam‐activated RSC at 500°C (SRS500), steam‐activated RSC at 800°C (SRS800), and solvent‐treated RSC (ResC). The catalytic activity of each catalyst was discussed, and the catalytic mechanisms were also proposed. The results revealed that the SRS catalysts gave a higher catalytic activity than the RSC, due to the enhancement of the surface area after steam activation. The SRS800 gave the highest naphthalene conversion and net gas yield: approximately 76.9% and 45%, respectively. However, its catalytic activity was more rapidly decreased by coke deposition than the other chars. Compared with the RSC, the ResC showed a slightly lower naphthalene conversion, but the net gas yield was slightly higher, especially that of H2 and CH4, due to the existence of K in silicate form.

Torrefaction of Various Biomass Feedstocks and Its Impact on the Reduction of Tar Produced during Pyrolysis

Supatchaya Konsomboon, Jean-Michel Commandré, Suneerat Fukuda

Energy & Fuels · 2019

The aim of this study is to investigate the reduction of tar produced during biomass pyrolysis by torrefaction pretreatment. In this study, various biomass feedstocks (pine, ash wood, miscanthus, and wheat straw) with different particle sizes were torrefied at 280 °C. The results indicated that both particle size and biomass composition have a significant effect on the yield and properties of the torrefied products. With increasing particle size, the yield of solid product increased, while the yield of condensable liquid and noncondensable gases decreased. The raw biomasses and torrefied biomasses were then subjected to pyrolysis at 500 °C. The results clearly showed that torrefaction had a significant effect on the yield and composition of tar generated during subsequent pyrolysis. For all biomasses, the tar yields of biomasses after torrefaction were 42–62% lower compared to direct pyrolysis of raw biomasses. However, when considering the condensable liquid produced combining torrefaction and pyrolysis, the total yield of condensable liquid produced decreased 3–12% compared to the direct pyrolysis. This suggests that not only some volatiles were released during the torrefaction process, but the thermal pretreatment also transformed the biomass structure to less favor tar production in subsequent pyrolysis step.

Bio-MCM-41: a high-performance catalyst support derived from pyrolytic biochar

Yingying Liu, Lingjun Zhu, Shurong Wang, Suneerat Fukuda

New Journal of Chemistry · 2018

Bio-MCM-41 was produced from pyrolytic rice husk char in a sequential stepwise method and then used to prepare Cu/Bio-MCM-41 catalyst with good performance.

Co-firing of coal and rice straw pellet in a circulating fluidized-bed reactor

Thanet Unchaisri, Suneerat Fukuda

Energy Procedia · 2017

This paper presents the experimental investigation of co-firing of coal with rice straw pellet in terms of combustion efficiency, gaseous emissions (CO, NO x and SO 2 ) and occurrence of bed agglomeration. The influence of excess air ratio (EA) and mass share of rice straw in the mixed fuel were investigated in a lab-scale circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactor. The fuel feed rate was fixed at 14 kg/hr, while the air supply was varied to achieve EA 1.28-1.94. Rice straw pellet was mixed with coal at 25% and 50% mass fraction. The results show that increasing EA generally reduced CO emission. However, at excessively high EA, CO emission started to rise due to the insufficient residence time for complete combustion and the cooling effect. The CO emission clearly reflected the combustion efficiency trend. Higher CO emission was also found when increasing biomass, which may be influenced by the lower combustion temperature and the incomplete combustion of biomass volatiles. NO x and SO 2 emission strongly depended on N and S content in the fuel that is the higher rice straw addition the lower NO x and SO 2 . At lower EA, the observed lower NO x emission could be the effect of reduction by CO and carbon present; while the opposite effect was found at high EA. SO 2 emission was more temperature dependent and continuously decreased with increasing EA. System pressure monitoring and visual observation of the spent bed showed no occurrence of bed agglomeration even at 50% addition of rice straw pellet. However, the size distribution of spent bed moved slightly towards a larger particle size range indicating a tendency of agglomeration.

Economic Analysis of Coal Gasification Plant for Electricity and Thermal Energy Supplies in Indonesia

Prima Zuldian, Suneerat Fukuda, Muhammad Djoni Bustan

Journal of Clean Energy Technologies · 2017

Development of coal gasification plants in Indonesia for electricity and thermal energy supplies has been started officially since 2011.So far, two gasification technologies have been selected for demonstration, including two-stage updraft fixed-bed (Plant A) and twin-fire fixed bed gasifier technologies (Plant B).Economic analysis for electricity generation cost, selling price (with achieve ROI = 11% and 4 year loan installment) and tariff (with transmission cost added) as well as syngas generation cost and selling price was conducted based on these two technologies.The calculated electricity generation cost are 0.189 and 0.204 US$/kWh, electricity selling price are 0.273 and 0.352 US$/kWh and electricity tariff are 0.279 and 0.358 US$/kWh for Plant A and B, respectively.Thermal energy is supplied as synthetic gas (syngas).The calculated syngas generation cost are 0.322 and 0.340 US$/Nm 3 and syngas selling price are 0.38 and 0.512 US$/Nm 3 , for Plant A and B, respectively.The analysis also shows that, based on the studied scenario, the selling prices of electricity from coal gasification are competitive when compared to that from diesel oil (i.e.0.375 US$/kWh) but much less competitive when compared to that natural gas (i.e.0.0864 US$/kWh).The selling prices of syngas is also higher than that of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) (i.e.0.238 US$/Nm 3 ).

Utilization of Plastic Waste to Solve the Problem in High-Moisture Biomass Gasification

P. Chobthiangtham, Suneerat Fukuda

International Journal of Environmental Science and Development · 2015

With an increased interest in energy production from biomass through gasification, the properties of biomass that influenced gasification performance have been investigated. One of important properties is the moisture content. Generally, the excessive moisture in biomass is reduced to meet the acceptable level for gasification by an additional pretreatment process which always costs extra investment. One possible alternative is the co-processing of high-moisture biomass fuels with other low-moisture fuels. In this study, the utilization of plastic waste to solve the problem of high-moisture biomass gasification was investigated by mixing the high-moisture rubber woodchip (27%M.C.) with plastic waste at various mixing ratios. The results showed a significant improvement of gasification performance. Even at 10% mixing ratio, the higher heating value of the product gas increased by about 50% and 25% compared to the case of high-moisture rubber woodchip (27%M.C.) and pre-dried rubber woodchip (8.5%M.C.), respectively. Compared to mixing with rubber waste at the same weight ratio, the plastic waste addition was found to give a better gasification improvement largely due to the higher carbon and hydrogen content in plastic waste. The findings from this study have shown not only that the high-moisture biomass can be used without pretreatment needed, but also an effective solution to plastic waste disposal.

Pyrolysis Investigation For Bio-Oil Production From Various Biomass Feedstocks In Thailand

Suneerat Fukuda

International Journal of Green Energy · 2014

This study investigated the bio-oil production from vacuum pyrolysis of potential biomass feedstocks in Thailand. Experiments were carried out on palm empty fruit bunch, rice straw, rice husk, eucalyptus wood, rubber wood (Hevea Brasiliensis), and Teng wood (Shorea Obtuse) in a lab-scale-fixed bed reactor. The results showed that the product distribution was strongly dependent on temperature and biomass properties. Maximum oil yields, i.e., 50–60 wt %, were reached at 450–550°C. Due to mild temperature, most of alkalis originally present in biomass concentrated in product char, and only traces were detected in oil. Two-third of energy in biomass was in the product oil.

Ash and deposit characteristics from oil-palm empty-fruit-bunch (EFB) firing with kaolin additive in a pilot-scale grate-fired combustor

T. Madhiyanon, P. Sathitruangsak, S. Sungworagarn, Suneerat Fukuda, Suvit Tia

Fuel Processing Technology · 2013

Yield and Characteristics of Tar Formed during Biomass Fluidised-Bed Gasification

Kaweewong Wongayara, Suneerat Fukuda

Journal of Sustainable Energy and Environment · 2013

In this study, the behavior of gasification tar formed was investigated in a 100 kWth bubbling fluidized-bed gasifier using rubber woodchip as fuel. Tar yield and characteristics as well as the composition of product gas were monitored and correlated with respective gas residence time, which were varied by means of gas sampling at different positions, i.e. four along the height of the gasifier and one after the cyclone. At selected experimental condition (ER=0.33), the significant concentrations of CO and H2 were formed at 4.8 s, after which the increased concentrations of CO and H2 at longer residence times may be attributed to the tar reforming reactions and thermal cracking. The total gravimetric tar increased from 4.5 to 10.5 g/Nm3, when the residence time was increased from 2.5 to 9.8 s. The increasing gravimetric tar yield as the residence time increased inside the gasifier suggests that more tar was formed as it was exposed to high temperature. The concentrations of all tar major species also increased following the trend of gravimetric tar yield, but the ratio of smaller molecular weight materials increased at extended residence time. This therefore suggests that longer residence time would be preferable as it would allow more time for the reaction of tar vapor to crack into smaller molecular weights and to form more product gases.

Bio-oil Production from Vacuum Pyrolysis of Palm Empty Fruit Bunch: Effect of Operating Conditions and Process Energy Balance

Suneerat Fukuda

Journal of Sustainable Energy and Environment · 2013

This study investigated the effect of temperature, heating rate and particle size on the yields of pyrolysis products from palm empty fruit bunch (EFB). Experiments were carried out in a lab-scale fixed bed pyrolysis system under vacuum condition. Under all conditions studied, the liquid product or known as bio-oil appeared to be dominating. The total liquid (organic + water) yield reached its maximum at 550°C with around two-third being organic and the rest being water. Increasing the particle size generally increased gas yield and decreased liquid yield. However, the catalytic effect of inorganic matters could also have some role during pyrolysis. Higher heating rates increased the yield of organic fraction and overall pyrolysis conversions. The mass and energy balance analysis showed that about two-third of the energy from biomass was concentrated in the liquid product. If not being able to utilize the product char due to the high content of alkalis and only the product gas was used to provide energy for pyrolysis reactions, the net efficiency of the process will largely be affected by the required process energy consumption and the import of external energy may be needed.

Design of a new-generation coal-fired marine steam propulsion plant

Atsuo Fukugaki, Suneerat Fukuda, S. Nakamura, Yuki Sakamoto

OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · 1982

A new-generation coal-fired marine steam propulsion plant, consisting of all-coal fired twin-boiler installations and their associated coal bunkers, daily service hoppers, coal and ash handling systems, ash retention and disposal systems, etc., to drive a main propulsion turbine rated to develop 19,000 shp, was devised for installation in two 74 700-dwt bauxite carriers. Boilers are equipped with a special automatic combustion control system, and coal transfer from the bunkers to daily hoppers is in the dense phase. As part of this project, a training simulator also was devised for training and education of the ship engine room personnel as well as for use in testing of the plant equipment.

STUDY OF TREATMENT OF TANKER DISCHARGED OILY WATER WITH IMPROVED TYPE SLOP TANK

Suneerat Fukuda, Yasuhiko Seike, Makoto Nakajima, H Taniguchi

1976

Although the segregated ballast system adopted at the 1973 Convention of the International Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) is effective in preventing seawater pollution by oil, it is applicable only to tankers built after 1972. Far more practical for a large number of existing tankers is the use of load-on-top (LOP) system with some improvements. This paper describes the development of such an improved LOT system, as well as an improved slop tank which facilitates oil and sludge disposal outboard.