Researchers at Baylor University, Texas have been working with academics from Papua New Guinea to make biofuel from coconut oil. The technology looks to centre around a device which separates coconut milk from the oil as it crushes individual coconuts and is part of Baylor's Appropriate Technology program. It is being spearheaded in Papua New Guinea by Dr John Pumwa.
This looks to be a good use of a non food crop which can benefit the developing world. The idea came to Pumwa after he had seen coconuts, which are often grown for fibre not milk rotting on the ground because the price of coconut fibre was too low to make harvesting viable. Two products from the same crop are better than one.
This looks to be a good use of a non food crop which can benefit the developing world. The idea came to Pumwa after he had seen coconuts, which are often grown for fibre not milk rotting on the ground because the price of coconut fibre was too low to make harvesting viable. Two products from the same crop are better than one.
Comments (3)
Another classic F4F (food for fuels) case?
At least in India, coconut-derived products are used as animal feed , cooking oil, etc.
What might be feasible in Papua New Guinea might not work for the rest of the world.
A note about the economics: When crude prices start to go up again, expect the commodity market to come back in full swing. Then, the prices for coconuts/coconut oil will bounce back.
Posted by Pradeep | January 9, 2009 5:51 PM
Posted on January 9, 2009 17:51
Thai Green Curry
Indian Korma curry
Coconut yogurt
Ice creams
Bounty Bar
Is this not food?
Posted by John Blackthorne | January 11, 2009 2:02 AM
Posted on January 11, 2009 02:02
To Mr.
Simon Robinson
http://www.icis.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/43588
Hello Simon
I just came across this website and it is nice to see things are moving toward biofuels. However we know that biofuels do not, at least to my knowledge, produce so much power for an engine.
I have developed and patented (patent pending) a system to make biofuel more consistent and wish to find a partner to develop this product for the industry. Product must be tested for large amounts during development.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Sincerely,
Jorge Oyanedel
e-mail: psilog@aesculapius.com
Phone: 34 607500677
Posted by Jorge Oyanedel | January 11, 2009 11:21 AM
Posted on January 11, 2009 11:21