| Varsity adopts biodiesel-B100 | | | |
Bangkok University of Rangsit Campus is serving as a model for a green campus they have termed as biodiesel-B100 to fuel the university’s transportation needs.
The campus is also expected to act as a demonstration center for the production of biodiesel from used cooking oil and palm oil from the nearby communities.
The university, with the close cooperation of the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) and the Department of Naval Dockyard, early this month set up a system with a maximum capacity to produce 400 liters of biodiesel a day
However, at the intitial stage, it would produce just 100 liters of B100 each day to fuel nine public buses running inside the 441-rai campus. Boonrod Vuthisatkul, vice president of the Rangsit Campus, explained that the university has turned to the more environmentally-friendly fuel because of the rocketing price of other fuels and to fight global warming.
“The fuel price crisis and rising concern over climate change have forced us to do something good for a better environment and lowering our production costs. Biodiesel is the perfect replacement for them,” said Mr. Boonrod.
Currently, the university is buying used vegetable and palm oil at 16 baht a liter of biodiesel out of 100 liters of used cooking oil.
Sountaree Ratapasakorn, a lecturer at the Engineering Faculty who was in charge of the biodiesel project, said the university was confident in the effectiveness of B100 as the Department of Naval Dockyard had previously used it in various types of vehicles, including pick-up trucks, with no engine problems.
“We want to promote public understanding about biodiesel. It is safe for the engine and helps improve the environment by releasing less carbon dioxide emissions into the air. Moreover, we can save heavily on fuel costs as well,” said Ms. Sountaree.
The university will used the biodiesel production system it has loaned from MTEC for another six months before installing its own equipment.
Yongyuth Yuthawong, science and technology minister, expressed his support to the university over the project, saying that it would also help improve the country’s economic health. The Ministry of Energy has forecast that the consumption of fuel this year would go up by 3.2% for benzene or an increase of 7,215 million liters a year from 2006 to 7,483 million liters. Diesel consumption is expected to rise by 2.4% from last year. The use of biodiesel is expected to rise to 1,677 million liters a day, compared to only 0.117 liters last year.
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น