Research and Development on Biodiesel Technology
Current research on ethanol technologies is related to various processes, including
increasing efficiency in farming methods of raw materials and ethanol production process,
ethanol and research on impact from using ethanol in automobile, as well as ethanol
promotion. From a review of the research on biomass energy during 1996-2012, it is found
that there are 278 pieces of research related to biodiesel. There are 3 main institutions that
conduct research on biodiesel. Prince of Songkla University, which is located close
to the source of oil palm in the South of Thailand, has the highest number of research.
Chulalongkorn University and Kasetsart University are the other 2 institutions with a high
number of research. The research and development on biodiesel can be divided into 4 groups.
Group 1 : research on the potential of raw materials focuses on the overall potential
of materials which can be used to produce biodiesel such as research on area’s potential
for plantation, logistic management for raw material collection for biodiesel production,
and efficiency improvement of raw material production such as genetic improvement.
Moreover, an analysis on new materials with potential for new generation of biodiesel is also
undertaken, such as Jatrophacurcas and algae.
Group 2 : research on biodiesel production technology focuses on improving
production process and increasing efficiency in biodiesel production from various materials.
Group 3 : research on the use of biodiesel in automobile focuses on the impact
on the engine from using a mixture of biodiesel and diesel in various ratios, as well as
supporting biodiesel use in agricultural machines and other vehicles, such as fishing boats.
Group 4 : research on economics and environmental impact of biodiesel production
focuses on the cost and environmental impact, especially from the pollution created from
biodiesel production from various materials and technologies. This includes ways to reduce
cost and impact from biodiesel production.
Most researches in Thailand fall under Group 1 and 2, as studies focus on identifying
potential of raw materials in producing biodiesel, and on efficiency improvement for
biodiesel production process from various materials, especially non-food materials.
Meanwhile, researches that fall under Group 3 and 4 have a comparatively low proportion,
especially the research on production cost and environmental impact throughout the
production life cycle of biodiesel from various materials.