KKU promotes “Green Innovation: ‘Charcoal Briquettes from Sugarcane Leaves’ as a New Alternative for Farming Communities, Reducing Open Burning”
Khon Kaen University, through the Academic Service Office, in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, organized the project “Creating a Model Community to Increase the Value of Products from Sugarcane Leaves and Bagasse Ashes” in Kut Kwang Subdistrict, Nong Ruea District, Khon Kaen Province to solve air pollution problems and generate additional income for farmers by transforming agricultural waste that is often burned in the fields into valuable products. From Problems to Innovations: Sustainable Community Development Concepts Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chuchai Kamonlert, Director of the Academic Service Office, Khon Kaen University, said that this project responds to Khon Kaen University’s strategy to strengthen communities. It received budget support from the university’s Innovation and Sustainable Society Division and cooperation from the Mitr Phol Group (Mit Phu Wiang Sugar Factory) in inviting sugarcane farmers to join the project. “In addition to generating additional income for farmers, this project also helps reduce environmental problems from burning sugarcane before cutting and selling, which is a major cause of PM 2.5. Farmers will see the importance of not burning and using sugarcane leaves in the production process to produce quality charcoal briquettes that can be used for a long time and do not pollute the environment,” added Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chuchai. “Technology developed by a professional research team” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kittipong Lalun, a lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, who is responsible for developing the technology for producing compressed charcoal from bagasse ash and sugarcane leaves, revealed that the research team has expertise in compressed charcoal for over 18 years. They previously developed compressed charcoal from cassava roots and materials from pruning in the garden. “Currently, there is a trend to reduce the burning of sugarcane leaves. Therefore, our team sees the potential of sugarcane leaves with a suitable heat value for converting into compressed charcoal for household use or commercial heating, including developing into biochar for soil improvement,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kittipong explained. The environmentally friendly production process […]
