November 8, 2002	Friday	Ramazan 2,1423

BANGKOK, Nov 7: Thai researchers have succeeded in developing bio-fuel Ethanol to meet the standard specification of fuel for small plane, said director of the National Metal and Materials Technology Centre (Mtec).

Paritad Bhandhubanyong, on Wednesday said the researcher team of Mtec in collaboration with Kasetsart University and King Mongkut Institute of Technology North Bangkok has conducted a research work and test to develop Ethanol for small plane since April. The result came out with successful conclusion that Ethanol, known as plant alcohol, when blended with gasoline could be used to replace oils for the planes without any effect on the engines.

The development of bio-fuel for plane is one project in a series of research work and tests of Ethanol as alternative automotive fuels. The success in developing ethanol for small plane would be presented in the international seminar on “Envisioning the Future of Alcohol Fuels” which will be take place in Phu Ket next week. Paritad said that the first small plane using Ethanol would be demonstrated at the seminar.

Paritad said he wanted to promote the Ethanol as alternative fuel for small plants using for government works such as making artificial rain, spraying pesticide.

He said that the United States is now using the Ethanol as fuel for small planes while Germany and Sweden are on the way developing the appropriate formula for their planes. — The Nation/Asia News Network