Technology Forum Highlights

Technology Lecture Series
Lecture on Bio-fuels, Jatropha Moringga, Bio-gas Technology, and Climate Change/Global Warming
(July 29, 2008 SMED Center, Tacloban City)


Highlight of the Activity:

Participants

A total of 69 participants coming from different sectors attended the forum.The floowing are the number of participants from each sector:

Micro, Small, & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) - 3
National Government Agencies - 10
NGOs- 2
SUCs- 54
DOST-8 Staff - 6

TOTAL - 75

Technologies presented and the resource persons:

1. Bio-Fuels: Jatropha Moringga - Dr. Roberto Guarte, VP for Admin., VSU
2. Biogas Technology - Engr. David L. Herrera, SRS II, ITDI, DOST
3. Climate Change/Global Warming - Ms. Maribel B. Munsayac, OIC, Chief Admin. & Finance Division Chief, EEIS, DENR-EMB
4. TAPI Programs - Mr. Edgar I. Garcia, Chief, ODD, TAPI

Presentations:

1. Bio-Fuels: Jatropha Moringga

• The potential of Jathropha and moringga as source of biofuels;
• Sources of fuels;
• Conventional energy sources;
• Fossil fuel tower;
• Problems on fossil fuels;
• Renewable energy sources;
• Philippines energy plan;
• Biofuels:
• Benefits of biofuels;
• Fossils fuels vs. biofuels;
• Biofules process;

• Ethanol production;
• Ethanol process & feedstock;
• Properties of fuels;
• Biodiesel production:
• Feedstock for biodiesel
• Principle of biodiesel production;
• Transesterification reaction;
• Biodiesel production;
• Properties of fuels;
• Biodiesel and fuel specification;
• Jatropha as potential sources of biofuel;
• Origin;
• Eco-physical requirements;
• Planting and fruiting;
• Irrigation and weeding;
• Harvesting and germination;
• Plantation requirement;
• Jatropha oil requirement;
• Researches at VSU;
• Jatrpha research at VSU;
• Intercropping;
• Existing jatropha plantation;
• Traditional uses;
• Industrial uses;
• New special uses;
• Moringa as potential sources of biofuel:
• Origin and common name;
• Climate and soil requirement;
• Harvesting and processing;
• Oil extraction;
• Uses of Moringa;
• Issues on biodiesel production;
• Recommendations

2. Biogas Technology

• Overview of biogas technology;
• All about biogas technology;
• Objectives of biogas technology;
• Overall biogas technology application;
• Integrated approach for biogas technology;
• Role of biogas on countryside development;
• What is biogas:
• Characteristics of biogas;
• Common uses of biogas;
• Stages in biogas digestion;
• Definition of methanogenic bacteria;
• Methanization;
• What is a biogas digester;
• Types of biogas digester:
• Nepalis modified Indian design;
• Indian Gobar Digester;
• Completely Mixed Industrial Digester;
• Chinese design – variable pressure;
• Chinese design – fixed pressure;
• Flexible Bag Digester;
• Horizontal Continuous Fed Biogas Digester;
• Drum type Biogas Digester;
• Pilot Residential Biogas Digester;
• School Digester;
• Substrate for biogas production;
• Typical mixing ratios;
• Structure of biogas digester;
• ITDI Portable Biogas Digesters:
• Portable Digester Type I;
• Portable Digester Type II;
• Portable Digester Type III;
• Biogas Digester Design and Construction;
• Digester’s Design Criteria;
• Digester’s dimension;
• Start-up, Operation, and Maintenance of a Biogas Digester;
• Construction profile;
• Rate of Return of Investment;
• Biogas Costing;
• Guide values for Gas Generation;
• Factors that Influenced Biogas Digestion;
• Constraint/Problems Encountered;

3. Climate Change/Global Warming:
4. TAPI Programs

Major Issues/Concerns:

The issues and concerns taken up during the one-on-one consultation and open forum are as follows:

1. Mr. Reynaldo Ecleo of HICPPALC, Hernani, Eastern Samar inquired regarding vermi-composting and the use of trichoderma. Ms. Marilyn O. Radam, DOST-8, Sr SRS, discouraged them to use of trichoderma because of the need for the laboratory where culture of the organisms are undertaken. Ms. Radam informed the group the DOST is willing to provide information materials so they will have other options for organic fertilizer production, in order for them to decide which is adaptable in their area.
2. The Bayanihan, an association from Guiuan, E. Samar asked guidance on how to avail the SETUP Program. Ms. Mae Anne D. Reyes, DOST-8 Supervising SRS assisted the group and provided information.
3. On the Low Sugar, Low Fat Ice Cream, one of the participants lamented that maybe the technology is not appropriate in Borongan, Eastern Samar because of the frequent brown out.

Clinical Forms were distributed to the participants where technical problems on his/her firm are enumerated. These forms were collected and given to resource persons for the one-on-one consultation which followed later.