2006-07 - Kerala Forest Research Institute

Annual report 2006-07Kerala Forest Research Instituteacetone fraction. The results obtained show thatUraria hamosa has no significant antioxidantactivity compared to Pseudarthria viscida. Eventhough the same chemical profiles were obtainedin P. viscida and U. hamosa, only the formerexhibited significant antioxidant properties.....................................................................................................................................................................................Appropriate technology for production ofcharcoal and activated carbon frombambooInvestigator(s): Dhamodaran,T.K., Thulasidas, P.K., Gnanaharan, R.Objectives• To characterize the nature of the resourceby investigating their properties.• To investigate the different methods ofproduction of charcoal from bamboo inorder to identify an appropriate methodsuitable for local conditions.• To assess the yield and quality of charcoalproduced from bamboo.• To develop a suitable method for thepro-duction of activated carbon frombamboo• To prepare a Handbook on bamboocharcoal and its potential applications.Date of Commencement : 2003 AprilDate of Completion : 2007 MarchBudget: Rs. 8.98 lakhsSponsoring Agency : KFRI Plan GrantsThe effect of the method of production andthe carbonization temperature on the yield andquality (volatile matter content, ash content andfixed carbon content) of bamboo charcoalwere evaluated and compared with woodcharcoal from different sources. The resultswere tested in a commercial pilot plant. Theyield and quality bamboo charcoal werecomparable with that of wood charcoal. Atemperature of 400 º C in the self-firing systemwas ideal for the commercial scale productionof bamboo charcoal in retorts. Bamboocharcoal had a pH of 9-10. A pilot plant forcharcoal making and a fluidized bed reactor(FBR) for activation of the charcoal installedat Perambra, Kozhikode for another projectwas used to test the potential of bamboo forcharcoal and activated carbon.Standardization of bamboo cultivationpract-ices for homesteads of KeralaInvestigator(s): Nandakumar, U.N., ThomasP. Thomas, Unni, K.K.Objectives• To standardize the bamboo cultivationpractices for homesteads of Kerala• To work out cost of cultivation and rateof culm production under different siteconditions, cultivation practices andmana-gement regimes.Date of Commencement : 2003 AprilDate of Completion : 2008 MarchBudget: Rs. 23.5 lakhsSponsoring Agency : KFRI PlanGrantsThirty species of bamboos suitable for homesteadsof Kerala were identified. A clusterdifferent ‘Kudumbasree’ units of PanancherryPanchayat was assigned the work ofestablishment of bamboo nursery for supplyingplanting stock to homesteads, provideassistance for bamboo planting and maintenance,harvesting and marketing of bamboo.The cluster along with its labour bank was alsoequipped to undertake other activities such aspaddy cultivation, animal husbandry andfloriculture, management of coconut gardens,rubber estates, vegetable farming, nursery andcomposting.32