Study on conversion of used cooking oil into biodiesel nearing completion
By Cheneen R. Capon
THE Japanese government is set to make Davao the model city for the biodiesel fuel (BDF) produced from used cooking oil.
Once implemented, Davao will become the first one to use the technology in the Philippines and the first in Asia outside of Japan.
“The technology has not yet replicated in any places in the world. If implemented, it would be the first outside Japan,” Japanese consul and director for Davao Tomoko Dodo said in Thursday’s regular I-Speak forum.
The project is a partnership between the city government of Davao, Japanese government through Japanese International Cooperative Agency (JICA) and private partners like the Biodiesel Japan and MyClimate Japan.
Dodo said Davao City has to start converting used cooking oil into BDF instead of disposing it to bodies of water, especially that it is surrounded with bigger bodies of water that are not just source of livelihood but also sanctuary of different marine animals.
Dodo said just like in Davao, the dumping of used cooking oil into canals and drainages used to be the same problem for Japan.
But, with the conversion of used cooking oil, this helped the Japanese preserve their water systems.
Dodo said the disposal of 500 milliliter (ml) of used cooking oil would need 2.5 million ml of water to be completely washed up.
Aside from this, the conversion of used cooking oil into BDF is not only cheaper but also a more effective mechanism to conserve the deteriorating environment status here brought by the development.
The Japanese official said it would not only help the city conserve its environment and the health of its constituents, but also produces saving for the city government.
MyClimate Japan analyst Shigeto Mizumoto, contracted partner to conduct the feasibility study for the proposed project, said BDF is 50 percent cheaper compared to diesel at only P15 per liter “if it is given to the government for free just like in Japan”.
Mizumoto said used cooking oil can be donated and collected from households, major food establishments, restaurants and hotels.
Preliminary data from the initial study conducted by the MyClimate Japan in the city revealed that ambulant vendors of “kwek-kwek” uses an estimated of two liters per day that automatically went to drainages afterwards.
“Some throw it either to the canal or toilet,” Mizumoto said, adding this would build up and clog the city’s sewerages and drainages causing flooding.
The group intends to finish the feasibility study by March next year.
City assistant administrator lawyer Dwight Tristan Domingo, meanwhile, said that he’s been receiving reports that some major establishments here are selling their used cooking oil to vendors.
“This is already dangerous to the health of consumers because used cooking oil is considered toxic at a certain level,” Domingo said.
The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), he added, had initially disseminated information and conduction education campaign to associations of hotels and restaurants here as well as in 13 barangays where the project will be piloted.
The project will be launched today in Matina Crossing after the barangay was able to present a proposal on how it can properly collect used oil from its household constituents.
“We’re targeting to collect at least 1,000 liters of used cooking oil daily to make the project feasible and sustainable,” Domingo said.
CENRO chief Elisa P. Madrazo said other pilot barangays here are Vicente Hizon, Sr. in Buhangin District, Catalunan Grande in Talomo, 3-A in Poblacion District, Mintal in Tugbok, Centro San Juan in Agdao, 19-B in Poblacion District, Sasa, Buhangin Proper, 76-A Bucana, Matina Aplaya 75-A, Talomo Proper, and Toril Proper.
If all things go well, the plant that would be utilized for the conversion of used cooking into a biodiesel fuel by April next year.
The city government is targeting to get the P4million worth BDF machine, a technology owned by the Biodiesel Japan. The produced BDF will be used to fuel garbage collector trucks.
Ninety percent of the used oil that enter the converting machine turns into BDF, only 10 percent are disposed in a form of water that is ready and safe to be disposed to canal unlike to other non-Japanese technology that converts used oil into fuel.
The Japanese government will be supporting the construction and operation of the BDF plant that will be located in the motor pool of the city government in Maa in two years.
“After that, it has to be sustainable,” Dodo said.
Dodo and Biodiesel Japan general manager Takeshi Kitahama believed that the project’s success would need more than just strong leadership but also cooperation from households.
“Let’s start thinking of the future,” Kitahama said.
