GWE RAPTOR waste-to-energy technology receives IChemE accolade

Chok Chai Starch converts a waste product called “wet pulp” from the processing of cassava roots into biogas (methane) green energy, utilising GWE’s RAPTOR™ system at their tapioca starch plant in Uthai Thani, Thailand.

Chok Chai Starch’s Thermophilic RAPTOR™ – the world’s first plant to incorporate the thermophilic biological digestion process for cassava pulp – not only greatly reduces leftover pulp, but boosts the plant’s existing biogas production to replace fossil fuels and to generate electricity.

The RAPTOR™ system greatly reduces an environmental pollution issue by processing and converting to useful green energy the leftover fresh pulp, which starts to ferment once stored. The rotting organic material can generate considerable odour and release heavily polluted wastewater leaching out of mountainous pulp piles.

The energy category of the IChemE Global awards in which the Chok Chai installation is a finalist recognises innovation in renewable energy, alternative energy sources, efficient energy use, or the development of energy production methods that reduce energy and water intensity.

“Advanced anaerobic technology such as that installed at Chok Chai Starch is also strongly applicable to any factory or process with one or more digestible solid waste streams.” says Global Water Engineering CEO Mr Jean Pierre Ombregt, who has been a world leader in clean water and green energy solutions for more than 35 years.

“It is an important achievement to attain this sort of recognition on a global scale, because these technologies are not only helping production efficiencies, but they are achieving more positive environmental outcomes as well,” said Mr Ombregt.

“Such plants – including breweries, fruit, food waste, agro industries, and energy crops including corn – can easily use this technology to generate energy. It opens the door to environmental and production efficiency gains globally,” he said.

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) is the global professional membership organisation founded in 1922 as a professional institution for chemical and process engineers, IChemE has grown to its current status of over 40,000 members across 120 countries, with offices in Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK..