Posted on: Wednesday, July 21, 2004

EDITORIAL
New charcoal plant a big boon to UH

To many, the world of academia appears to be a near impenetrable world of arcane research and theoretical musing.

Those on campus will be the first to insist this isn't so. That in addition to the very real-world application of teaching and direct instruction, much of the research that takes place has practical, pragmatic and important applications.

One exciting example is the development at UH-Manoa of an innovative machine that quickly and efficiently converts green waste trash into high-quality charcoal.

The plant, developed by professor Michael Antal Jr. and his colleagues, will be finished next year.

In the short term, the plant will be a boon to the university. Trash that today costs as much as $10,000 a year to dispose will now be "flash carbonized" into charcoal that will be sold at a $100,000 annual profit.

Long term, the technology holds great promise for commercial charcoal producers across the United States. But more importantly, it offers hope for developing Asian nations where native forests are being rapidly depleted for charcoal and other forms of energy.

This project is just one example of how advanced research at the University of Hawai'i is producing real-world practical benefits, both at home and abroad.