Bio-methane in pipeline as new choice for motorists

       PTT Plc plans to introduce compressed bio-methane gas,(CBG) a new renewable fuel for vehicles, by late next year.
       CBG will provide an alternative to existing natural gas for motorists.
       PTT, the sole local distributor of NGV (natural gas for vehicles), has been researching biogas for vehicles since last year, said Songkiert Tansamrit, executive vice-president of the PTT Research and Technology Institute.
       The aim is to serve demand for gas in the transport sector instead of investing in expensive NGV facilities.
       CBG has been used for generating electricity but biogas in transport will be a first for Thailand, and is in line with the government's push to develop alternative fuels.
       Unlike NGV, which PTT launched in 2001, CBG is made from a process that converts waste from ethanol, palm oil and tapioca starch into methane gas,then refines it for use in car engines.
       PTT will use waste water from Ubon Agro Energy Co, a cassava processor in in Ubon Ratchathani. The waste water can produce up to 1,600 tonnes of raw biogas per month.
       The raw biogas is then sent to a PTT gas treatment unit to remove any carbon dioxide. From there it is sent to a PTTowned compressor unit and is finally distributed by trucks to a substation located 30 kilometres from its main station at Ubon Ratchathani.
       PTT is now preparing to call an auction for the quality treatment technology.When the technology is acquired, Thailand can expect to see CBG for use in vehicles around mid- to late 2010.
       Average CNG usage is now 3,750 tonnes per day, and is expected to increase to 8,200 in 2013.
       "There shouldn't be any problem [for future usage]. CBG is an alternative fuel that provides another choice rather than ethanol and diesel," said Dr Songkiert.
       CBG is considered neutral as it neither increases nor decreases carbon dioxide emissions.
       PTT is looking at nine more plants to source raw biogas, five of which produce tapioca starch, one ethanol and the rest palm oil. While some already have biogas plants, PTT will ask them to use biomass instead, said Dr Songkiert.
       PTT shares closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 260 baht,up 7 baht, in trade worth 5.46 billion.