Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Achieves Milestone in Bioethanol Production System Development

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Bioethanol Production Breakthrough

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has recently achieved a significant milestone in the development of a membrane separation dehydration system, known as MMDS® (Mitsubishi Membrane Dehydration System), at its pilot plant located within the Nagasaki Carbon Neutral Park. The plant successfully produced bioethanol with a purity exceeding the domestic fuel standard of 99.5% vol, highlighting the company’s commitment to advancing clean fuel technologies.

The Importance of Bioethanol

Bioethanol is receiving increasing attention as a clean fuel alternative to gasoline and as a raw material for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). To utilize bioethanol effectively as fuel, it is crucial to remove the moisture present in it during the final stage of the production process, a procedure known as dehydration. Conventional methods of dewatering consume considerable energy, raising concerns about operational costs and environmental impact.

Innovative Technology for Efficiency

MHI's MMDS® innovatively enhances the dehydration process by replacing the traditional Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) method with a molecular sieve membrane separation technique. This new process is designed to increase efficiency significantly, leading to a more than 30% reduction in energy consumption. Consequently, MHI aims to deliver lower operational costs and to ensure stable production of bioethanol.

In addition to its efficiency gains, MMDS® allows for the possibility of liquid phase separation, enabling the design of more compact facilities. This improved design is expected to further contribute to the reduction of both the environmental footprint and the physical footprint of bioethanol production facilities.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, MHI plans to accelerate its development efforts by utilizing insights gained from various element tests conducted at the pilot plant. The company is focused on constructing a demonstration plant as part of its strategy to expedite the market introduction of these advanced production technologies.

Commitment to a Sustainable Future

By spearheading the development of high-efficiency bioethanol manufacturing processes that do not depend on hydrogen, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is playing a critical role in establishing and implementing decarbonization technologies. The company is dedicated to contributing to the creation of a sustainable carbon-neutral society where clean, plant-derived fuels like bioethanol can be produced efficiently and effectively.

Upcoming Events

MHI will be participating in INCHEM TOKYO 2025, scheduled from September 17 to 19, at the Tokyo Big Sight, Koto City, Tokyo. Visitors can find MHI at booth number 5-SP03, where the company will showcase its latest innovations in bioethanol production.

For more details about the exhibition, please visit the following URL: INCHEM TOKYO 2025.

Additional Information

For more about Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, please visit their official website: MHI Website. Check out their online magazine, SPECTRA, available in Japanese at SPECTRA Magazine, and follow their official social media on X (formerly Twitter) @MHI_GroupJP andInstagram @mhi_groupjp.