Producing Fuel From Black Soap

[Jai Dee]

Producing fuel from black soap demonstrations

Sa Kaeo Province is educating local agriculturists in producing fuel from black soap, in an attempt to lower down to import of fuel from other countries.

Due to the current oil price hike, many countries across the world have become more alert in energy conservation, and they are also seeking alternative energy. For Thailand, one of the alternatives is to produce fuel from the seeds of black soap, and this could help Thailand to reduce the import of foreign oil considerably.

Black soap has similar characteristics as diesel, and it can be easily grown in a short period of time. The oil-processing operation is also easy. However, black soap has a dangerous substance, and people have to know the right way of this process, to ensure its safety and quality. Thus, its supply would meet the consumers’ demand and the investment would be more sensible.

The province of Sa Kaeo has then set up a project to teach this production technique to the farmers in Tambon Nong Waeng in Wattana Nakhon District. Experts from the Ministry of Science and Technology and Science have given lectures and demonstrated the black soap conversion to fuel production process.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 September 2006

[astral]

When my son washes his hands the soap gets black.

Will that be of any help?

[Khutan]

Sorry, what is black soap ?

[richard10365]

Sorry, what is black soap ?

I was tempted to say something racial but decided not to.

[mangapoon]

"Black soap" is a tree producing some fruits which can be used as a substitute to oil.

[Conan]

Why dont they just add ethanol from cane sugar to the petrol?

It's cheap and effective and improves the octane rating, regardless of what the petrol companies say it is good for the engine and the environment.

[Jai Dee]

Physic Nut – An Oil Plant of High Potential (09/08/2005)

As oil prices soar with no end in sight, an oil plant has been mentioned as a new hope in Thailand. It is known as sabu dam, literally “black soap,” grown in abundance in all parts of the country, with different local names. In the North, it is known as ma hung hua, in the Northeast, ma yao or si lod, and in the South, ma ko.

Sabu dam is in fact a foreign plant, brought into Siam in the late Ayutthaya Period by Portuguese merchants for soap making. It is commonly known as physic nut or purging nut, a shrub of Euphorbiaceae family, of the species Jatropha curcas. It has large, lobbed leaves, yellow flowers, and oval seeds. Its special qualities have been recognized in various regions of the world. In Nepal, the purgative seed oil is taken to stop bleeding and aid healing, and is applied externally to treat burns, herpes, eczema, and ringworm.

South American tribes use the fruit as contraceptives and the leaf as a fever wash. In Ghana, all parts of the shrub are used for medicinal purposes, while the leaf yields red, green, and indelible black dyes. The seed oil is used as lamp fuel and to make soap. A fully-grown plant stands up to seven meters, and remains productive for not less than 20 years.

Oil obtained from crushed seeds has long served as fuel for motors of farm tools and machines, without alterations or additives. The Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has experimented with the plant and the seed oil since 2001. Farmers have shown interest in cultivating physic nuts, but remain doubtful of the market for the seed oil.

China’s Sun Yat Sen Research Institute has approached the Thai government to set up a physic nut plantation, and a biodiesel plant in Thailand. It is currently seeking an appropriate site for the pilot project, expected to start operating soon.

From The Government Public Relations Department Website.

[Crossy]

Why dont they just add ethanol from cane sugar to the petrol?

It's cheap and effective and improves the octane rating, regardless of what the petrol companies say it is good for the engine and the environment.

They already do, it's called Gasohol 95, and it is most definately NOT good for my engine!!

Real 95 will not be available soon, have a look in the motoring forum

Besides, this thread is concerned with a DIESEL substitute, can't put alcohol in diesel.

Edited September 13, 2006 by Crossy