Thai researchers turn food waste into biochar
A team of researchers from the King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) has devised a technique for turning two types of food waste into fuel comparable to low-grade coal, the Thai media has reported.
Food waste - Illustrative image (Photo: technologyreview.com)Specifically, the technique turned bread leftovers, vegetable leftovers and fruit peel into a so-called “biochar” which is a charcoal-like product that contains no petroleum. It is made by heating biomass.
Dr Trairat Muangthong-on, head of the team, said the technique can be applied to reduce the disposal cost of food waste while also generating a low-cost fuel for industries.
Trairat said the breakthrough can be also adopted by government agencies in their push for sustainability.
The United Nations Environment Programme reported that in 2019 there was over 931 million tonnes of food waste around the world. The Thai Pollution Control Department revealed that there were 9.68 million tonnes of food waste in the country in 2022.
Trairat said his team will next research how to turn other types of food waste into biochar and try applying the technique with waste at factories making sugar from sugarcane and at animal food factories./.
You should also see
Airports to offer 9,000 domestic flights during upcoming holidays
Vietnamese airlines are expected to operate 9,000 flights on domestic routes to meet the travel demand during the upcoming National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1) holidays, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).
See more
World
Indonesia's first thermal power plant stops operating
Indonesia's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) has held a press conference to inform about the country’s progress in the early decommissioning of the Cirebon-1 thermal power plant.
World
Thai central bank intervenes to stabilise currency
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) said it has intervened in currency markets at times to ease any excessive moves in the THB, adding that the current policy rate is robust and conducive to economic recovery, reported the Bangkok Post.
World
Vietnam appeals for maximum self-restraint, end to hostilities in Middle East
A representative of Vietnam appealed to all the parties concerned to exercise maximum self-restraint and to end hostilities, while addressing a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on the Middle East and Palestine situation on March 25.
World
Indonesia’s coffee exports surpass imports
Indonesia’s coffee exports have surpassed imports for 47 consecutive months since May 2020, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has reported.
World
Thailand expects wave of tourists during Golden Week
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that about 996,000 foreign tourists will visit the Southeast Asian country between April 26 and May 5, known as the Golden Week holidays in Japan, during which Chinese tourists also prefer to travel overseas.
