Production of Bio-Diesel Fuel from Soybean Oil in Brazil

Global Environment Centre Foundation(GEC)

Reports of CDM/JI Feasibility Studies

Title of the researchProduction of Bio-Diesel Fuel from Soybean Oil in Brazil
FYFY 2005
Main research orgnisationNippon Mining Research & Technology Co., Ltd.
Research partner(s)Sumitomo Corporation, Petrobras
Location of the projectBrazil (Uberlandia, Minas Gerais)
Summary of the research report (PDF)Summary
Description of the projectThe purpose of this project is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated through combustion of the petro-diesel fuel. Using bio-diesel fuel (BDF) produced by the project as an alternate of petro-diesel fuel for transportation in Brazil, is expected to reduce the amount of petro-diesel fuel consumption.
The BDF we use is produced from soybean oil in the BDF production plant located in Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
GHGCO2
Sector of the projectBiomass Utilisation
CDM/JICDM
Duration of the project activity/ crediting period2008 - 2017 (Construction:2007 - 2008)(Commencement of commercial operation:mid.2008 - )
Baseline methodology/additionalityBased on the assumption that "Generalized baseline methodology for transportation Bio-Fuel production project with Life-Cycle Assessment" (NM129 -> AM00xx) is approved as a baseline methodology, the methodology is applied to the project.
After studying and confirming that the project meets the applicability conditions of the methodology, we also divided the project's life-cycle into the three stages shown below. We reviewed each stage, and arrived at the conclusion that the baseline scenario option "continuation of the existing practice" met all the applicability conditions on all the stages. To put it plainly, the baseline scenario is the state that the automobiles using BDF in the project scenario is using fossil fuels. Therefore, the emission from the baseline scenario is expected to be larger than that from the project scenario, and this proves the additionality of the project.
Stage 1: Biomass (soybean) supply
Stage 2: BDF production (from soybean oil), and
Stage 3: BDF consumption
Estimation of GHG emissionsLet ERy denote emissions reductions by the project in a year (y). The ERy when BDF production is 100,000[t/yr] is calculated as follows:
ERy = BEy-PEy-Ly
=2.85 x 105 [tCO2/yr]-15,150[tCO2/yr]-0[tCO2/yr]
=2.70 x 105 [tCO2/yr]
Here, BEy (Baseline Emissions) = 2.85 x 105 [tCO2/yr],
PEy (Project Emissions) = 15,150 [tCO2/yr], and
Ly (Leakage) = 0
Monitoring methodologyThe project is monitored using the monitoring methodology. B, P, and L represent the parameters required to calculate baseline emissions, project emissions, and leakage respectively.

ID number
Data variable
Source of data
Data unit
Measured (m), calculated (c), estimated (e)
Recording frequency
Proportion of data to be monitored
How will the data be achieved
B1.

BFy

Annual BDF consumption or salesGJ/yrmdaily100%Electronic
B2.

BFvoly

BFy volumeVolumeterm3/yrmdaily100%Electronic
B3.

Densityy

BDF densityDensimeterton/m3mmonthlySamplingElectronic
B4.

HVy

BDF calorific valueGJ/tonmmonthlySamplingElectronic
B5.

COEFFF

LCACO2 emission factor of diesel oil replaced by BDFBDF purchaser, statistical data, scientific literatures, etc.tCO2/GJcAt the beginning of each crediting period100%Electronic
B6.

BF[produced]VOLy

BDF productionVolumeterm3cdaily100%Electronic
P1. FFBFPoil,yFuel oil used for generating steam supplied to BDF production plantIntegrating flowmeterklmdaily100%Electronic
P2.

COEFFF oil

LCA CO2 emission factor of fuel oilBDF purchaser or statistical datatCO2/klcAt the beginning of each crediting period100%Electronic
P3.

BFmassy

Annual BDF salesScaletmdaily100%Electronic
P4.

COEFFS

CO2 emission factor of methanol in BDFtCO2/t-BDFcOnce at the creation of PDD100%Electronic
P5.

PETransp1y

CO2 emissions caused by BDF transportation from BDF production facilities to distribution facilitiestCO2/yrcmonthly100%Electronic
P6.

MLTransp1,y

BDF transportation distance from BDF production facilities to distribution facilitiesForwarder's receipts or odometer recordskmmMonthly (during transportation)100%Electronic
P7.

COEFTRmode 1

CO2 emission factor for BDF transportation (by diesel truck)Statistical datakgCO2/kmcOnce at the creation of PDD100%Electronic
L1.

EL y

Electrical energy consumed in accepting soybeans and in producing BDF in the facilitiesWattmeterMwhmmonthly100%Electronic
L2.

COEFELy

CO2 emission factor coefficient for electrical powerStatistical datatCO2/MWhc/eyearly100%Electronic
L3.

Lossy

Loss in electricity transmission gridStatistical dataNo unitc/eyearly100%Electronic
Environmental impactTo construct BDF production plant, we have to go through procedures required by the laws of Minas Gerais where the plant is to be installed. It isassumed that BDF production is classified to the 4th grade of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which is a rather simple EIA.
Glycerin produced as a by-product is utilized as raw material of soap and shampoo. Therefore, environmental impact by the by-product is assumed to be small. Wastewater from the BDF production plant is discharged after it is treated in the water treatment facility to meet the wastewater quality standard and to lessen environmental impact.
Issues and tasks for project implementationThis project is funded by Petrobras, Sumitomo Corporation, and Sumitomo Corporation do Brasil S.A. using their own funds, and the use of public funds are not planned.
From the results of investment analysis, it is assumed that the credit price 8.0 US$/t- CO2 is required to make the project profitable. Further cost reductions in both construction and operation are required.