First Quarter Accomplishment Report

January to March 2011

1. AR/TU 11/01. Utilization of Coconut-Based Biomass for Bio-

Ethanol Production. (N.J. Melencion and L.J. Peamora,
2011-2016).

a. First Generation Ethanol Production From Coconut

Sap and Saps of other palms. (N.J. Melencion and L.J.
Peamora, 2011-2012).
b. Collection and Establishment of Palm Species
Collection with Emphasis for Palm Sugars, starch,
and Bioethanol Production (N.J. Melencion, L.J.
Penamora and E.E. Emmanuel, 2011-2016
c. Utilization Of Coconut-Based Lignocellulosic Biomass
For Ethanol Production (N.J. Melencion and L.J.
Peamora, 2011-2016).

Sub-studies 1a and 1b. Pre-prospection

survey of candidate palms for sweet sap
production was done inside the Center and
towards the Labuan-Patalon-Lower Latap
areas located along the west coast of
Zamboanga City. Among the palms being
considered are Pugahan (Karyota urens)
and Cabo negro (Arenga pinnata) .

Pugahan palms are already very rare in

the area and can only be found growing in
mountainous area, mostly in solitary
nature. Apparently, paguhan are cut for its
hard outer lumber which is used as
handles for axes and as flooring material
for tapahan.

It is apparent that tapping its

inflorescence for sap production is difficult and requires the use of
scaffoldings. Nevertheless, its sap production will be evaluated as a
potential source of sugar for ethanol production.

Cabo negro (Arenga pinnata) or Sugar palm. Cabo negros sap is

very sweet and apparently sweeter than coconut sap. It likewise
produces large volume of sap when its inflorescence is tapped similar
to that of coconut toddy tapping.
Thus, Cabo negro was selected as one of the best candidate palms for
sap-ethanol production which can be intercropped with coconuts.
Products that can be derived from it are sap, sugar, starch (from its
stem, i.e., sago), kaong (from its immature fruits), and probably oil
(from its mature fruits).

From the initial biomass funds (P 465,00) provided in the late

December 2010, several supplies (glassware, pipettors, etc.) for
ethanol laboratory were purchased. Likewise, some of the money was
used to repair the old VLCP laboratory and the construction of a coir
looming machine. However, due to lack of provision for MOOE-
Equipment, some necessary equipment such as Airconditioner for the
laboratory and Freezer for safe depot of pure bacteria culture were not
able to be purchased.

2
 Timber Utilization Division
Second Quarter Accomplishment Report
April to June 2011

2. AR/TU 11/01. Utilization of Coconut-Based Biomass for Bio-

Ethanol Production. (N.J. Melencion and L.J. Peamora,
2011-2016).

1.1 First Generation Ethanol Production From Coconut Sap and Saps of
other palms. (N.J. Melencion and L.J. Peamora, 2011-2012).

Laboratory Establishment

The repainting and refurnishing of the former VLCP laboratory

is now 90% finished. It will soon serve as the CocoEthanol/Biomass
Laboratory. Despite the lacked of equipment outlay, we managed to
fabricate one of the key equipment for ethanol production ethanol
distiller or still. This development enables the project to do
fermentation trials as we can now indirectly measure the outcome of a
particular fermentation trial by way of determining ethanol recovery.

The PCA-ZRC Distiller

The PCA-ZRC Distiller (Photo 1) was fabricated based on a

common pot still/reflux design often used in moonshine alcohol
production. It is easy to maintain, relatively simple to use, and cost
only between P10, 000- P15, 000. It can be heated with any heat
source including farm residues. The PCA-ZRC distiller was first tested
last April 28, 2011 using tuba from coconut. The distillation rate is
about 20.58mL of ethanol per minute or roughly 1.2L of ethanol per
hour. Made from stainless-steel and copper, this equipment can
produce both food grade and fuel grade ethanol (with further
refluxing/stripping of the first distillate to increase ethanol purity).
Depending on how fast it is heated (amount of heat supplied per unit
time), PCA-ZRC Distillers ethanol purity ranges from 50 % (faster
heating) to 75% (slower heating) ethanol by volume. Re-distillation
will increase ethanol purity to 90%, 9-10% short of the required purity

3
for fuel grade ethanol. A better still (Photo 2) that can produces
ethanol with 95% purity is under construction. It based on the Warren
still design similar to the one proposed by the Samar Coco/Nipa
Ethanol Project. The remaining 5% water will be removed using
molecular sieve zeolite 3A.

Photo 1. PCA-ZRC portable distiller using LPG

and firewood as fuel respectively.

Photo 2. Warren still.

4
Financial Aspects

Only P465,000 of the approved P930,000 AFMA-RDEB 2010

fund allocation for Coconut Biomass Project was released in December
22, 2010. No equipment outlay, however, was included in the said
fund release. Thus, it was apparent even from the start that purchases
of needed equipment will become a problem. Nevertheless, the
process of purchasing laboratory supplies was immediately started last
January 2011. It took 3 months for the purchasing unit of PCA-ZRC to
produce the first supplies purchased. As of June 6, 2011 the remaining
fund balance is P244, 906.44 after the purchase of several laboratory
supplies and the hiring of two personnel to help in the project.
Additional funds for 2011 amounting to P978,000 were sent last Jun
14, 2011.

Toddy Supply

At present, 10 coconut palms are being toddy-tapped by a

hired toddy-tapper to supply the necessary feedstock for ethanol
production. The hired toddy-tapper has been instructed to use SCNTP
technology. When chemical supplies arrive, experiments will be
conducted to improve the sugar-to-ethanol conversion efficiency in
coconut sap like the use of sodium metabisulfite to prevent
spontaneous fermentation during collection and the introduction of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the collected coconut sap.

As supplementary source of sweet toddy, several Cabo negro

palms inside the Center were identified for toddy-tapping. Cabo negro
inflorescences produces large amount of sweet sap (900 1600
liters/tree/year with sugar content of 15-20%), and if fermented,
about 40, 000 liters bioethanol per hectare per year can be produced
(Widodo, Elita, and Asari, 2010).

5
 Photo 3. Sugar palm bunches are being harvested for seed
production (inside PCA-ZRC).

CocoEthanol Application Studies

Economics

Recovery rate of ethanol from tuba (1 day-old) is about 9% i.e.,

1.4L of cocoethanol (50% ethanol by volume) from 15 liters of tuba. If
the cost of tuba is P6.25/L (P25/gal), the cost of ethanol produce is
P92 /L (including P35 LPG cost) or P67/L if the fuel cost is neglected
(ordinary firewood). The production price is still high at this point.
However, with further refinement of the equipment, procedures
(collection, fermentation, and distillation), the cost of production may
still be lowered.

Vino de Coco

One of the possible and probably the most profitable use of ethanol
is alcoholic beverage as evidenced by the thriving industry in Quezon
and Laguna provinces.

The feasibility of using ethanol produced from distilling tuba was

demonstrated by diluting it with distilled water to 35% ethanol by
volume (70 Proof). The resulting alcoholic beverage was initially
daubed as Vino de Coco. Based on computations in section 4.1, one
liter of 50% (priced at P67/L) will become 1.428L of 35% ethanol by
volume when diluted. Rough estimates of the production price of Vino
de Coco is P46.92/L (excluding bottling and overhead costs)

6
 Photo 4. Vino de Coco (70 Proof). Photo 5. Ethanol being tested as
kerosene substitute.

Other uses

Preparations are being undertaken to test the use of

CocoEthanol on various household fuel requirements. These include the
use of cocoethanol to substitute kerosene in petromax and kerosene
stoves. Initial trials using hydrous ethanol (90% ethanol by volume)
encountered problems of lack of appropriate heat to cause the mantle
to glow in the case of petromax and uneven flame in the kerosene
stove.

Additional trials will be conducted once we can produce

anhydrous ethanol. Likewise, several blend ratios with kerosene will
also be tested in the future.

Exploration of other sources of ethanol

Ethanol from Cocowater

The feasibility of producing ethanol from coconut water was

evaluated upon the suggestion of Mr. Bonifacio B. Pangahas, Chairman
of PRC when he visited the Center last week.

7
 Coconut water was collected
from mature coconuts. Mother liquor
or natural tuba yeast cells were
collected from 1-day old tuba that
settles at the bottom of the
container. Incorporation of tungog
(tangal) and pH adjustment were
the additional treatments used.
Photo 6. Coconut water (~2-3% fermentable sugar) from
matured coconuts collected for fermentation
As expected, only a small and subsequent distillation at PCA-ZRC.

amount of ethanol can be recovered from fermented coconut water,

ranging from 0.43% to 0.98% (Table 1). These results are consistent
with the theoretical ethanol potential of coconut water of roughly
1.28% (one half of the total fermentable sugar present). Total sugars
in coconut water from mature nuts averages only about 2.56%
(Banzon and Velasco 1982 citing Sison, 1977). The difference of 0.30
(a very small amount) between the theoretical and actual recovery
values can be attributed to the incomplete fermentation of available
sugars and the losses during distillation. Adding molasses or
concentrating the sugar content in coconut water by reverse osmosis
was proposed by Banzon and Velasco (1982). However, such processes
require additional cost and the resulting product may not be worth the
effort and the money invested.

Table 1. Preliminary trials on the potential of coconut water from matured nuts as a
feedstock

Amount Fermentation ETOH Recovery ETOH

Trial Treatments
Fermented Time (days) mL (%) Purity

*
1 15L 1 w/tungog, pH adjtd to 4.3 66 0.43 not tested
*
2 15L 2 WITHOUT Tungog 120 0.77 not tested
*
3 15L 2 with 25g tungog 150 0.98 not tested
*
3 15L 2 with 25g tungog 130 0.84 not tested
*
3 15L 3 with 25g tungog 116 0.68 not tested
not enough samples to test purity of distillates using existing hydrometer.
*

8
1.2 Collection and Establishment of Energy Crops Cultivated
With Coconuts for Bioethanol Production (N.J. Melencion,
L.J. Penamora and E.E. Emmanuel, 2011-2016

Preliminary preparations were undertaken to establish a

collection of energy crops that can be cultivated with coconuts in
order to quickly evaluate its potential and to produce proof-of-
concept often required by funding institutions.

Sugar palm/Cabo negro (Arenga pinnata)

Cabo negro palm is endemic

to the Philippines and in other
countries in Southeast Asia.
Agroforestry database (Orwa et
al.2009) describes cabo negro as a
monoecious palm (separate male and
female flowers) with solitary,
unbranched trunk (30-40cm in
diameter). Its height reaches to
about 15-20m. Its leaves are pinnate,
and leaf sheaths with numerous black
hairs cover the stem. Flowering Photo 7. Kaong fruits at PCA-ZRC.
occurs as early as 5-6 years to as late as 10-12 years old, starting
from the top and ends near the base of the trunk. The flowering
stage covers a 4-6 year period. Cabo negro reaches maturity at 15
years old. Although rarely cultivated, immature fruits are
harvested from the wild for its seeds and processed for culinary
condiments known as kaong. It is classified as non-timber forest
products and is sporadically found in clusters along riverbanks and
in log-over areas.

Cabo negro tolerates low lighting conditions and may be a

good intercrop under coconuts. To evaluate its feasibility, a total
of 500 cabo negro wildlings (Photo 5, left side) and were put in

9
polybags at the nursery last April, 2010. High mortality rates,
however, were observed after 2 months in the nursery (Photo 8,
right side). Transplanting stress and fungi infestation were
speculated to be the cause of high mortality rate. To avoid such
problem, matured cabo negro seeds were collected and will soon
be germinated directly in prepared polybags.

Photo 8. Transplanted sugar palm wildlings polybagged for

nursery care, newly transplanted (left) and after 2
months (right).

Petroleum nut tree or Hanga (Pittosporum resineferum)

Arrangement has been made for the Department of

Agriculture - La Paz Experiment Station in La Paz, Zamboanga City
for them to provide PCA-ZRC with grafted Petroleum nut tree at
P15 piece (Photo 9).

Photo 9. Petroleum nut tree or Hanga (Pittosporum

resineferum) at DA Experimental Station, La Paz,
Zamboanga City.

10
Ycon (Smallanthus sochitolius)

Ycon (Smallanthus sochitolius) is an exotic plant from

Peru. It produces tuber roots that have a lot of stored sugars
which can be fermented to ethanol. Arrangement has been made
for a joint study with DA La Paz Experimental Station to plant
yacon under coconuts (Photo 10).

Photo 10. Ycon (Smallanthus sochitolius) at the DA

Experimental Station, La Paz, Zamboanga

11
 Timber Utilization Division
Third Quarter Accomplishment Report
July to September 2011

3. AR/TU 11/01. Utilization of Coconut-Based Biomass for Bio-

Ethanol Production. (N.J. Melencion and L.J. Peamora,
2011-2016).

1.1 First Generation Ethanol Production From Coconut Sap and Saps of
other palms. (N.J. Melencion and L.J. Peamora, 2011-2012).

Laboratory Establishment

The re-painting of the main laboratory is already complete

while the floor tiles installation and finishing is 95% complete.
Likewise, the locally-fabricated fume hood is almost complete
excepting the finishing touches.

A better distiller (Photo 1)

capable of extracting 95% ethanol
(v/v) distillate from tuba was
fabricated locally and was shown
during the 2011 PCA CocoWeek
Celebration in Mandaluyong City
last August 25-28, 2011. This new
distiller is based on the Charles
803 design (with modifications)
and is capable of continuous
distillation. To better test its
capability and to determine its
suitability as the main distiller for
a barangay-based fuel ethanol
production system, we are now
waiting for PCA-ZRC Photo 1. PCA-Fabricated continuous
distiller.
managements approval to use the
25% PCA tuba production share PCA-ZRC is getting from its contract

12
with a cooperative enterprise named PCA-ZRC Multi-Purpose
Cooperative so that we can perform continuous 8-hour experimental
trials.

Boiler Construction

A new boiler system was designed and is now under

construction to indirectly heat the fermented coconut sap for
distillation. Incorporating a water-jacketed stove design (Photo 2) will
enable a better heat utilization thus minimizing fuel needs. Likewise, a
smoke condenser will be incorporated in the said boiler system to
produce wood vinegar while distilling ethanol at the same time.

Photo 2. Stainless-steel water-jacketed boiler under construction.

Toddy Supply

A total of one thousand three hundred and sixty four liters

(1,364) of tuba were collected from 8 coconut palms from July to
September 2011. Toddy-tapping activities were done in accordance
with the SCNTP technology to ensure minimal reduction of nuts.

13
Fermentation Trials

Chemicals purchased for the fermentation experiments arrived

just recently. We well soon perform trials to improve the sugar-to-
ethanol conversion efficiency of coconut sap during collection process.
This will be achieved by incorporating sodium metabisulfite during
collection to prevent spontaneous fermentation and the introduction of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the collected coconut sap in the
laboratory.

Economics of Ethanol Production and Other By-products

Recovery rate of ethanol from tuba for this quarter is 4.0% at

95% ethanol purity (v/v). In a liter of tuba, only 38 mL of pure ethanol
can be extracted. Thus, one liter of absolute ethanol requires 6.58
gallons of tuba. Without counting labor during distillation and pegging
the price of tuba at P 22.50 per gallon, the cost of producing ethanol
from tuba is P148.05. However, since wastes during distillation can still
be made into vinegar (from the remaining unfermented sugar and
minute ethanol residues), one can still sell 5 gallons of vinegar from
toddy wastes. This will lower the production price of pure coco ethanol
(excepting the cost of distillation) to P 35.55 per liter assuming we can
sell all the vinegar at the price of P22.50 per gallon.

14
Exploration of other sources of ethanol

2. AR/TU 11/01-1. Collection and Establishment of Energy Crops

Cultivated With Coconuts for Bioethanol Production (N.J.
Melencion, L.J. Penamora, 2011-2016)

Sugar palm/Cabo negro (Arenga pinnata)

Photo 3. 42-week old kabo negro planting materials.

After 42 weeks in the nursery, only 106 of the 500 wildlings

survive. Due to high mortality, it is suggested that collection of cabo
negro wildlings should be done carefully from the wild using spades so
as not to disturb the root systems thereby increasing their survival
rate in the nursery.

15
Petroleum nut tree or Hanga (Pittosporum resineferum)

The Department of Agriculture - La Paz Experiment Station

in La Paz, Zamboanga City provided the project with 100 marcoted
hanga planting materials (Photos 4 and 5). However, after 7
weeks in the nursery, a large number of planting materials died
for some undetermined cause. The appearance of new leaf shoots
of some planting materials (Photo 5 inset), however, is a good
indication that hanga can be grown in low altitudes but have very
high rate of mortality (50%) in the nursery.

Photo 4. Part of the 100 pieces of Petroleum nut tree or Hanga

(Pittosporum resineferum) planting materials from DA
Experimental Station, La Paz, Zamboanga City.

16
Photo 5. Hanga planting material after 7 weeks in the nursery. Most
survivor plants now have new leaf shoots (inset).

17
 4th Quarter Accomplishment Report
October to December 2011

4. AR/TU 11/01. Utilization of Coconut-Based Biomass for Bio-

Ethanol Production. (N.J. Melencion and L.J. Peamora,
2011-2016).

1.1 First Generation Ethanol Production From Coconut Sap and Saps of
other palms. (N.J. Melencion and L.J. Peamora, 2011-2012).

Photo 1. Ceremonial Ribbon-Cutting of the Coconut-Based

Biomass and Biofuels Laboratory at the former Village-
Level Coconut Processing building.

Laboratory Establishment

The Coconut-Based Biomass and Biofuels Laboratory (CB3L)

was inaugurated and blessed last December 19, 2011. The occasion
was graced by no less the Deputy Administrator of the Research and
Development Branch (RDEB) Carlos B. Carpio.

18
 The new CB3 Laboratory is capable of distilling ethanol from
fermented inflorescence saps from coconuts and sugar palms locally
known as cabonegro or kaong (Arenga pinnata) and from worths of
other feedstocks. (tuba). Ethanol distillation is achieved by boiling
tuba indirectly using steam generated from locally-designed and
fabricated boiler (Photo 3). Evaporated ethanol is condensed in the
distilling column. This distilling column is based on Charles 803 still
fabricated and modified by TUD personnel. The said still is capable of

Photo 2. Inside view of the CB3 Laboratory showing basic facilities for
ethanol distillation.

continuous distillation producing

very high quality ethanol distillate
(95% purity (v/v)). To test its
capability and to determine its
suitability as the main distiller for
a barangay-based fuel ethanol
production system (Illustration 1),
we are now waiting for PCA-ZRC
managements approval for us to
utilize the PCA-ZRC produced tuba
for fermentation and continuous
distillation trials.
Cartoon 1. Barangay-based ethanol
production system using
simple and continuous

19
 Ethanol from coconut-based cellulosic biomass feedstocks is the
ultimate product to be generated from CB3L once equipment needed in
biological and chemical experiments will be secured through outside
funding or by locally-fabricating equipment from PCA-AFMA-BIOMASS
funds (i.e. those that can be fabricated locally).

Photo 4. Discussion on Solid and liquid Biofuels.

Photo 5. Planting of Other Energy Crops .

20
2. AR/TU 11/01-1. Collection and Establishment of Energy Crops
Cultivated With Coconuts for Bioethanol Production (N.J.
Melencion, L.J. Penamora, 2011-2016)

A total of 57 Sugar palm/Cabo negro and 30 Petroleum nut tree

or Hanga (Pittosporum resineferum) were planted during the quarter near
the CB3 Laboratory.

Farmer 1
Tuba production &
Distillation to 75%
Ethanol by volume

Farmer 2
Farmer 5
Tuba production
Tuba production & Distillation to
& Distillation to 75% Ethanol by
75% Ethanol by volume
volume
Barangay
SCFO Ethanol
Buying Station

(Re-distillation to
99% ethanol by
volume)

Farmer 4 Farmer 3
Tuba production & Tuba production &
Distillation to 75% Distillation to 75%
Ethanol by volume Ethanol by volume

BUYER
Anhydrous/Fuel
Grade Ethanol
(99 % Ethanol by
volume)

21
 Timber Utilization Division
Monthly Accomplishment Report
March 2012

TIMBER /BIOMASS UTILIZATION PROGRAM

5. AR/TU 11/01. Utilization of Coconut-Based Biomass for Bio-

Ethanol Production. (N.J. Melencion and L.J. Peamora,
2011-2016).

1.1 First Generation Ethanol Production From Coconut Sap and Saps of
other palms. (N.J. Melencion and L.J. Peamora, 2011-2012).

The newly fabricated

stainless steel indirectly-heated
tuba boiler was installed this
month to increase the
distillation capacity from 16L
capacity 75L capacity. Distilling
rate was recorded to produce
3.2L of ethanol at 92% (v/v)
purity in every 5 hours. Two
more 75L boilers are under construction to further increase the
distillation capacity of the Coconut-Based Biomass and Biofuels
Laboratory (CBBL). Average recovery was recorded to be 4.4% with
average alcohol content of 91.3 % (v/v).

The ten (10) kilograms of Zeolite 3A molecular sieve we ordered

from China arrived late this month and we have started to dehydrate
our 95% cocoethanol (v./v.) stock to produce anhydrous ethanol
(99.9%, v/v). Initial trials confirm the ethanol absorption capacity of
zeolite 3A at 20%. Finally, CBBL was able to produce anhydrous
ethanol (99.5% v/v) with the use of zeolite molecular sieve. With this
development, may we request PCA management to provide us a
vehicle and/or motorcycle with a four-stoke gasoline engine for us to

22
 do engine performance trials using different ethanol-gasoline ratios
akin to the earlier Coconut Methyl Ester (CME) program of PCA.
Formal request to this effect will be made soon.

We are still waiting for the

outcome to our long standing
request from PCA-ZRC
management (made last 2011)
for additional coconut palms to
be toddy-tapped so that we can
determine the optimal number
palms (sensitivity analysis)
required for this micro-distillation setup to be economically profitable.
In the meantime, the project started to toddy-tapped two sugar-palm
(Arenga pinnata) spathes in March 2012. Data on sap production are
currently being collected.

2. AR/TU 11/01-1. Collection and Establishment of Energy Crops

Cultivated With Coconuts for Bioethanol Production (N.J.
Melencion, L.J. Penamora, 2011-2016)

A total of 235 sugar palm planting materials are being maintained

at the nursery. It will be transplanted as soon as PCA-ZRC
management decides where to establish a hectare of sugar palm for
yield (sap and fruits) studies.

Timber Utilization Division

Monthly Accomplishment Report
April 2012

TIMBER /BIOMASS UTILIZATION PROGRAM

1. AR/TU 11/01. Utilization of Coconut-Based Biomass for Bio-

Ethanol Production. (N.J. Melencion and L.J. Peamora,
2011-2016).

23
1.1 First Generation Ethanol Production From Coconut Sap and Saps of
other palms. (N.J. Melencion and L.J. Peamora, 2011-2012).

Dehydration trials with ethanol (95% purity v/v) using Zeolite

3A were conducted during the month of April. Zeolite beads were
placed inside the newly fabricated stainless steel tube and liquid
ethanol were poured into the tube. Ethanol recovered at the bottom of
the zeolite column has a purity of 99% v/v. The degree of
dehydration, however, is dependent on the availability of water
bonding sites of zeolite beads. It was observed that zeolite beads can
only be used one time
only to produce 99%
ethanol after which
zeolite beads needs to
be regenerated by
heating at 230 0C.

Zeolite
regeneration trials will
be done as soon the
Biomass lab will be able
Photo 1. Stainless steel zeolite dehydration column (far
to retrieve the TUD right).
electric oven loaned to BGD.
Miscibility trials were
likewise conducted. Results showed
hydrous ethanol (99% purity) is
completely miscible with gasoline.
With this development, the
Biomass Lab conducted preliminary
trials of cocoethanol-gasoline mix
using an old two-stroke Yamaha
DT motorcycle.

24 Photo 2. E50 fuel mix using anhydrous

ethanol (left) and
hydrous ethanol (right).
 Two fuel mix ratios were tested- E37 and E50. The motorcycle
ran on both fuel mixes. E50 fuel blend, however, requires adjustment
of the air-fuel ratio in the carburetor. Likewise, minor clogging of fuel
lines was observed when E50 were left in the tank overnight. This in a
known phenomenon and is attributed to the dissolved rusts in the tank
(ethanol is a good solvent) and the slow erosion of the nitrile rubber
hose in the fuel line. These problems can be solved by replacing the
nitrile rubber with Viton tubing.
Future plans will include testing of cocoethanol fuel with newer
engines which are already designed to accept higher ethanol fuel
blends.

25
2. AR/TU 11/01-1. Collection and Establishment of Energy Crops
Cultivated With Coconuts for Bioethanol Production (N.J.
Melencion, L.J. Penamora, 2011-2016)

Photo 4. Petroleum nut tree

5 months after planting at
PCA-ZRC.

26