ID :
175672
Fri, 04/15/2011 - 16:31
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/175672
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Sago and nipa palm trees can be processed into ethanol
BANGKOK, April 15 (TNA) - A research in Thailand has found that more plants—which produce flour and sweetness--can now be processed into ethanol in addition to sugarcane and cassava, the main raw materials for the production of the renewable energy currently.
Thawarat Sutabut, Deputy Director-General of the Thai Ministry of Energy's Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, spoke of the new development on Friday, saying that the plants include sago and nipa palm trees which grow well in southern Thailand, namely Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Pattani and Narathiwat Provinces.
Thawarat noted that Kansai Electric Power Co., a Japanese electricity producer, appeared to be interested in nipa palm trees; so the Japanese company and the Marine and Coastal Resources Institute of Thailand's Prince of Songkla University are joining hands to improve the quality of sugar from nipa palm trees to suit ethanol production; while the UN Food and Agriculture Organization also expressed its interest in studying the possibility of ethanol production with sago flour.
There are two kinds of sago palm trees, those with red and white tops; while nipa palm trees grow well on seacoasts and in mangrove forests. Sago and nipa palm leaves are also raw materials for wickerwork and roofing and they help keep ecological balance and rehabilitate soil.
Thawarat said that another study--conducted by his department and relevant agencies--also found that sweet sorghum should be another plant with high potential for ethanol production. The senior Thai official acknowledged that the sweet sorghum plant can be grown between the cultivation seasons of sugarcane and cassava and should support ethanol production in the future.(TNA)
Thawarat Sutabut, Deputy Director-General of the Thai Ministry of Energy's Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, spoke of the new development on Friday, saying that the plants include sago and nipa palm trees which grow well in southern Thailand, namely Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Pattani and Narathiwat Provinces.
Thawarat noted that Kansai Electric Power Co., a Japanese electricity producer, appeared to be interested in nipa palm trees; so the Japanese company and the Marine and Coastal Resources Institute of Thailand's Prince of Songkla University are joining hands to improve the quality of sugar from nipa palm trees to suit ethanol production; while the UN Food and Agriculture Organization also expressed its interest in studying the possibility of ethanol production with sago flour.
There are two kinds of sago palm trees, those with red and white tops; while nipa palm trees grow well on seacoasts and in mangrove forests. Sago and nipa palm leaves are also raw materials for wickerwork and roofing and they help keep ecological balance and rehabilitate soil.
Thawarat said that another study--conducted by his department and relevant agencies--also found that sweet sorghum should be another plant with high potential for ethanol production. The senior Thai official acknowledged that the sweet sorghum plant can be grown between the cultivation seasons of sugarcane and cassava and should support ethanol production in the future.(TNA)
