•
Use of Merichem clay testing equipment in the 9
th
hydrodesulfurization process at the Dalin Refinery has enabled fast
implementation of experiments yielding operating reference information.
•
Installation of leak detection instruments and creation of a database at three refineries and one research center in Southern Taiwan.
•
Provided assistance in the form of opinion concerning legal and regulatory revisions, responded to requests for technical
information and implemented staff training in the wake of the Kaohsiung gas explosions.
Green energy R&D
•
Successful development of a solid alkaline catalytic transesterification process enabling long-term bio-diesel production
with a yield rate of 96-99%. This process can tolerate feedstock with high acidity and high moisture content and can reduce
production costs. A patent application has been made.
•
Developed natural gas reforming hydrogen production equipment suitable for 1-5 kW generating units. Researchers are
currently investigating production stability and applying for patents.
•
Developed a microalgae carbon reduction and oil production laboratory culture platform and an outdoor photobioreactor
(PBR) and 'raceway' test facility. The researchers used wall-breaking, oil production and transesterification technology
developed in-house to determine the oil yield of the resulting microalgae, which can also be used as a raw material for
foodstuffs. Patent application procedures are currently underway.
•
In conjunction with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), CPC researchers developed a real-time combustion
efficiency monitoring system employing the chemiluminescence method. This system was used to show that a bio-emulsifier
can enhance the combustion efficiency of fuel oil by 5-8%. Further research will test the effect of transesterification of raw
glycerol and water on combustion efficiency and it is expected that by lessening fuel oil consumption by 5-8% the method
can save energy and reduce carbon emissions.
•
A newly-developed environmentally-friendly no-solvent paint that can reduce VOC emissions by 30%, meeting environmental
protection requirements.
•
A high-reflectivity paint developed using core shell nanoparticles and hollow ceramic powder that can achieve a reflectivity
in the near infrared spectrum of 75% and reduce surface temperature by 4-6°C. Researchers continue to work on improving
the formulation so that surface temperature can be lowered by 8-10°C, with consequent benefits in energy conservation and
reducing carbon emissions.
•
Researchers have developed a high-heat conductivity plastic for LEDs and high-refractive index optical silicone packaging
material. The laboratory has obtained preliminary results, and is currently negotiating cooperative molding and testing by
LED lamp and packaging firms.
•
Research on microalgae genetic improvement technology has used the UV radiation mutation method to develop a
mutant microalgae strain that can help increase oil yield by 20%. This strain can be cultured in seawater, has a high oil yield
and low adhesivity, can be collected by gravity and can be raised outdoors. Because of its high oil yield, it is expected
that it can reduce microalgae biodiesel production costs by 10%. It is hoped that this breakthrough will accelerate the
commercialization of microalgae biodiesel, and a patent application has been made.
•
A project in conjunction with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) developed and tested a microbial strain able
to produce a chemical product – itaconic acid – from crude glycerin. A patent application has been submitted.
•
Using brick particles as a carrier for butyl alcohol-producing bacteria, researchers conducted and completed the process of
continuous fermentation of butyl alcohol bacteria fixed in a column reactor. A patent application is planned.
•
An experimental ton-grade cellulosic alcohol fermentation plant has been constructed and feedstock consisting of Napier
grass fibers has been used for hydrolytic saccharification testing. Enzymes developed in-house will be used in the future to
cut costs and boost capacity; two patent applications have been made.
Development of trial production of new material technology
•
Completed amorphous carbon technology development and the basic design of a batch-level experimental production
facility and installed trial mass production equipment.
•
Developed and designed a mass production process for the purification of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD).
Management and energy research
•
Completed "Oil and gas energy outlook – the view in 2014."
•
Completed "Special report on the oil and gas market, 2014."
•
Established a crude oil price differential structural transformation testing and time series model forecasting system. This
model uses a Bayesian integration module to incorporate the views of experts and international organizations on incidents
that may occur in the future, ensuring that forecasts are considerably more comprehensive.
