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Journal of Asia Pacific Studies ( 2010) Vol 1, No 2, 101-131
Effect of Gasohol Production on the
Sugarcane Industry in Thailand
Wanida Norasethasopon, Mahanakorn University of Technology
(Bangkok, Thailand) 1
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of
gasohol production on sugarcane planting in Thailand. Pure ethanol of
99.5 percent concentration is used to replace MTBE (Methyl Tertiary
Butyl Ether), which is normally used to increase octane number of
gasoline, to blend with gasoline at the rate of 10 percent to produce
Octane 95 gasohol. There are several types of raw materials used in
ethanol production such as sugarcane, molasses, cassava, sweet potato,
rice, corn, wheat, sweet sorghum, etc. The popular raw materials used in
ethanol production in Thailand are molasses and cassava. Molasses are a
by-product of sugar production process. They are the sugarcane residues
that can no longer be extracted for more sugar. In many countries
including Thailand, molasses are used as raw material to produce ethanol
(1 ton of molasses can produce 260 liters of ethanol) used in gasohol
production. In this research, the researcher found that the problem of
excess supply and low price of sugarcane can be solved if gasohol E20 or
higher was used to replace the Octane 91 gasoline and Octane 95
gasoline.
Keywords: Gasohol, Gasoline, Alcohol, Ethanol, Surgarcane
1. Introduction
Gasohol is a synthetic fuel which made up of the 10
percent or more of alcohol mixed with gasoline. The oil crisis
of the 1970’s led to an intensified search for alternative
1 The author wishes to express her appreciation to Department of Mechanical
Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology
Ladkrabang, Thailand, for their support and assistance in many details of gasohol and
other alternative fuel for this problem investigation. The author would like to thank
Assoc. Prof. Somchai Norasethasopon, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty
of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand, for
giving her valuable discussion and comment.
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