Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has successfully achieved over 99.5 vol% ethanol purity at its pilot plant for membrane dehydration systems (MMDS®: Mitsubishi Membrane Dehydration System), located at the Nagasaki Carbon Neutral Park within the Nagasaki District Research & Innovation Center. This level of purity meets domestic fuel standards, according to the press release.
Bioethanol is increasingly recognized as a clean alternative to gasoline and a key feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). However, to be viable as a fuel, the bioethanol must undergo dehydration to remove moisture during the final production stage—a process that typically requires a large amount of energy.
The MMDS® system developed by MHI aims to optimize this process by replacing conventional dehydration methods with a molecular sieve separation technique. This innovation enables high-efficiency production, reduces energy consumption by more than 30%, lowers operational costs, and ensures more stable output. Moreover, because MMDS® performs separation in the liquid phase, it allows for more compact equipment design.
Building on the results of various component tests conducted at the pilot facility, MHI now plans to accelerate development toward the construction of a demonstration plant to facilitate early commercialization.
MHI remains focused on developing and commercializing efficient manufacturing processes for hydrogen-free bioethanol—a clean, plant-derived fuel. These initiatives support the company’s broader mission to advance decarbonization technologies and contribute to the creation of a sustainable, carbon-neutral society.
