124
C. Li et al.
Bunge has a high economic yield per unit area or large biomass. It is economically
feasible to use such woody plants as biodiesel raw material.
Under the current economic and resource conditions, the development of biodiesel
raw material forests should make full use of China’s mountain resources by cultivating woody oil plants on a large-scale. This is the path China may have to choose in
pursuit of biodiesel development.
4.5 Conclusion
Some experts from the industry have pointed out that as the amount of processed
biodiesel continues to grow in China, it may have gasoline and kerosene surplus
for export by 2005, while the demand for diesel will remain huge. By 2005, it is
expected that the diesel production gap may reach 600 to 2400 kt. By 2010, the
expected demand for diesel may exceed 100 Mt, a 24% increase compared to 2005;
by 2015, the expected market demand may reach 130 Mt.
Therefore, research, development, and production of biodiesel are of strategic
importance to energy supply and adjustment of energy structure in China.
The cost of biodiesel is an important factor in choosing appropriate raw materials.
As to the selection and utilization of biodiesel raw material plants, comprehensive
area-specific evaluations should be conducted, taking into consideration oil content,
oils and fats composition, and conversion rate in the transesterification reaction.
To construct a framework for the sustainable development of biodiesel in China, a
two-step process should be taken based on the analysis below
(1) Short-term goal
Given that the oversupply of agricultural products and surplus labor force will continue to exist for some time in China, it may consider growing annual oil crops
including rape plant and soybean in remote rural areas. The harvested crops can
be used as biodiesel raw material. On the one hand, this will help sell excessive
agricultural products. On the other hand, this will draw attention to promote the
development of key technologies for biodiesel development, in order to establish an
R&D and marketing system for biodiesel.
(2) Medium- and long-term goal
In the meantime, China should take the initiative to establish large-scale woody
plants bases in different areas for biodiesel raw materials. This is because the use of
annual plants will push up the cost of biodiesel raw material and affect negatively the
industrial development. Additionally, it is unrealistic to scale down the use of edible
oil plants. For subtropical areas in South Asia, plants that can be harvested in one to
three years, such as Euphorbia tirucalli and Jatropha curcas L., are preferred. In the
Yangtze River region, plants that can be harvested in five to seven years, including
Cornus wilsoniana Wanger, Vernicid fordii, Camellia oleifera Abel, and Pistacia
chinensis Bunge are a better choice.
C. Li et al.
Bunge has a high economic yield per unit area or large biomass. It is economically
feasible to use such woody plants as biodiesel raw material.
Under the current economic and resource conditions, the development of biodiesel
raw material forests should make full use of China’s mountain resources by cultivating woody oil plants on a large-scale. This is the path China may have to choose in
pursuit of biodiesel development.
4.5 Conclusion
Some experts from the industry have pointed out that as the amount of processed
biodiesel continues to grow in China, it may have gasoline and kerosene surplus
for export by 2005, while the demand for diesel will remain huge. By 2005, it is
expected that the diesel production gap may reach 600 to 2400 kt. By 2010, the
expected demand for diesel may exceed 100 Mt, a 24% increase compared to 2005;
by 2015, the expected market demand may reach 130 Mt.
Therefore, research, development, and production of biodiesel are of strategic
importance to energy supply and adjustment of energy structure in China.
The cost of biodiesel is an important factor in choosing appropriate raw materials.
As to the selection and utilization of biodiesel raw material plants, comprehensive
area-specific evaluations should be conducted, taking into consideration oil content,
oils and fats composition, and conversion rate in the transesterification reaction.
To construct a framework for the sustainable development of biodiesel in China, a
two-step process should be taken based on the analysis below
(1) Short-term goal
Given that the oversupply of agricultural products and surplus labor force will continue to exist for some time in China, it may consider growing annual oil crops
including rape plant and soybean in remote rural areas. The harvested crops can
be used as biodiesel raw material. On the one hand, this will help sell excessive
agricultural products. On the other hand, this will draw attention to promote the
development of key technologies for biodiesel development, in order to establish an
R&D and marketing system for biodiesel.
(2) Medium- and long-term goal
In the meantime, China should take the initiative to establish large-scale woody
plants bases in different areas for biodiesel raw materials. This is because the use of
annual plants will push up the cost of biodiesel raw material and affect negatively the
industrial development. Additionally, it is unrealistic to scale down the use of edible
oil plants. For subtropical areas in South Asia, plants that can be harvested in one to
three years, such as Euphorbia tirucalli and Jatropha curcas L., are preferred. In the
Yangtze River region, plants that can be harvested in five to seven years, including
Cornus wilsoniana Wanger, Vernicid fordii, Camellia oleifera Abel, and Pistacia
chinensis Bunge are a better choice.