Fossil Fuel Foundation Worksop
13 July 2016 we participated in a followup workshop on bamboo held by the Fossil Fuel Foundation, the title of this workshop was Bamboo, "The Multi-purpose Biomass Plant of Choice"
A Special thanks to Professor Rosemary Falcon and her team for organising the event.
At its conclusion it was agreed by participants, there is a strong case to be made for considering bamboo as a biomass and phytoremediation resource. It was agreed by participants to form a working group to further facilitate dialogue and implement trials using bamboo. One of the key remaining questions is how different bamboo species will perform in the various climate and bio-zones around the country and its ability to rehabilitate abandoned mine sites while at the same time providing a biomass and utility resource.
As an ambassador for the World Bamboo Organisation I was also delighted by the enthusiasm expressed by Professor Rosemary Falcon to encourage students to look at bamboo as a subject for further research and her willingness to explore ways for students to interact with the broader international bamboo community through the WBO.
Some related research papers of interest: -
Characterization and co-firing potential of a high ash coal with Bambusa balcooa http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016236115000824
Investigation of combustion and co-combustion characteristics of raw and thermal treated bamboo with thermal gravimetric analysis http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040603114002263
In July 2015 we took part in a workshop organised by the Fossil Fuel Foundation to look at the future of independent power generation for coal in Southern Africa. Three of the presentations made were about bamboo.
We are delighted to have been invited to take part in the process of looking for integrated sustainable solutions to our energy needs, and would like give special thanks to Professor Rosemary Falcon who made it all possible.
Professor Rosemary Falcon
Director Technical Events
Fossil Fuel Foundation
and
SARChI Chair of Clean Coal Technology
Clean Coal, Energy and Sustainability Group
Office 515, Fifth Floor, Richard Ward Building
School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Wits 2050, South Africa
Tel (+27) (011) 717 7387 (Wits office) and 011 260-6815 (alternative office)
Cell (+27) 082 451 4753
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In the future we hope to participate in trials plantings of bamboo, for the rehabilitation of exhausted coal fields as a source of biomass to be co-fired in boilers.