JohnyBear, Debra

English

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository
Media Relations Administrative Offices
7-5-2007
Biodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNH
Debra JohnyBear
UNH Media Relations
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/news
This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has
been accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more
information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.
Recommended Citation
JohnyBear, Debra, "Biodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNH" (2007). UNH Today. 812.
https://scholars.unh.edu/news/812
9/11/17, 12(20 PMBiodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNH
Page 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2007/july/dj05egypt.cfm.html
 
Biodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNH
Contact:  Debra JohnyBear 
603-862-3102
UNH College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
July 5, 2007
DURHAM, N.H. – During this season of reunions, the reunion is especially sweet when
discovering your acquaintances are excelling in what they do. Consider the bonus of
networking their progress with that of your own. The possibilities are far-reaching and in this
story span from Durham to Cairo, Egypt. From June 25-29, six researchers from the National
Research Center (NRC) in Cairo met with UNH chemical engineering professor Ihab Farag in
his biodiesel lab reuniting in their effort to introduce biodiesel technology into Egypt. NRC is
one of the largest and most credible research centers in the Middle East.
In 2004 Farag, director and founder of the UNH Biodiesel Group, was awarded a three-year
grant from the US-Egypt Science and Technology Program (part of U.S. Agency for
International Development). The grant/project involved working with NRC on introducing
biodiesel, a renewable and environmentally friendly fuel alternative to petroleum diesel into
Egypt. The project focuses on the technical and economic feasibility of producing biodiesel
from a non-edible plant (Jatropha) that can be grown in poor or damaged soil in Egypt, and
the possibility of expanding this into large scale production. The main benefits of this are:
- Greening the desert, by growing Jatropha in desert area
- Utilizing municipal wastewater. Jatropha is being irrigated by municipal wastewater
- Production of local home-grown fuel (biodiesel) that can be used locally or exported
- Creating jobs that benefit local and rural economy
Professors Nahed Attia, Hammam El Abd, Guzine ElDiwani, Salwa Ismail Hawash, and Shadia
Ragheb Tawfik are each members of the chemical engineering and pilot plant unit of NRC, and
Ferial Zaher is of the NRC Oil and Fat department. They have been proactive in working with
UNH on introducing the biodiesel technology into Egypt. With exception of Attia (who is
equivalent to an assistant professor), they all have more than 20 years of experience in
research, student supervision and project execution, and working with local industry.
Egyptian project director ElDiwani said, “This is my second trip to UNH. Two years ago UNH
biodiesel research was still in the lab-scale stage. Today the Biodiesel Lab reflects Dr. Farag’s
biodiesel achievements which are in synch with the increasing interest in the U.S. and
worldwide. Dr. Farag’s high-bay biodiesel lab is now equipped with an excellent pilot-scale
facility to process biodiesel from waste vegetable oil. Realizing the importance of biodiesel
feedstock Dr. Farag is conducting pioneering research on the production of biodiesel from
algae. One of the highlights of this trip was touring campus in the biodiesel-powered Wildcat
bus. Another was witnessing democracy in action while at the State House. Both the House
9/11/17, 12(20 PMBiodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNH
Page 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2007/july/dj05egypt.cfm.html
and the Senate were in session.”
Dr. Tawfik said, “It has indeed been a productive and rewarding visit. We have been
acknowledged by the Senate, welcomed by the Honorable Governor Lynch, and additionally
welcomed by both UNH’s outgoing interim president Bonnie Newman and new president Mark
Huddelson. We have met with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Boston to learn
about environmental issues, as well as with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental
Services and Air Resources Division. Likewise we visited the International Trade Resource
Center and Pease Development Center in Newington. In all, good relations have been made in
our struggle for alternative energy sources and a greener world. Relations which we hope, in
time, will only become stronger.”
DOWNLOADABLE HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS:
http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/egyptians_bus.jpg
One of the highlights of this trip was touring campus in the biodiesel powered Wildcat bus. L-
R, UNH Chemical Engineering professor, Ihab Farag, Egyptian renewable fuel researchers: Drs.
Guzine ElDiwani, Salwa Ismail Hawash, and Hammam El Abd.
http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/egyptians_GovLynch.jpg
Pictured with Governor Lynch, Wednesday, June 27, from left to right are: NH DES Tim Drew,
Egyptian delegates, Drs. Nahed Attia, Salwa Hawash, and Guzine ElDiwani, Governor John
Lynch, Egyptian delegates, Drs. Shadia Tawfik,Ferial Zaher, Hammam ElAbd, and UNH
chemical engineering professor Ihab Farag.
http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/egyptian_researchers.jpg
Monday, June 25, learning about environmental issues and biodiesel regulations from a
Federal perspective from the Environmental Protection Agency in Boston. L-R, Egyptian
delegates: Drs. Nahed Attia, Shadia Ragheb Tawfik,Salwa Ismail Hawash, Ferial Zaher and
Guzine ElDiwani.
http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/egyptians_lab.jpg
Friday, June 29, Physics laboratory manager Mike Briggs shows how the high-bay Biodiesel
Lab is now equipped with an excellent pilot-scale facility to process biodiesel from waste
vegetable oil. L-R, Mike Briggs, Egyptian researchers: Drs. Shadia Ragheb Tawfik, Ferial Zaher
and Hamman El Abd.


Biodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNH

UNH Scholars' Repository

University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryMedia Relations Administrative Offices7-5-2007Biodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNHDebra JohnyBearUNH Media RelationsFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationJohnyBear, Debra, "Biodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNH" (2007). UNH Today. 812.https://scholars.unh.edu/news/8129/11/17, 12(20 PMBiodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNHPage 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2007/july/dj05egypt.cfm.html Biodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNHContact:  Debra JohnyBear 603-862-3102UNH College of Engineering and Physical SciencesJuly 5, 2007DURHAM, N.H. – During this season of reunions, the reunion is especially sweet whendiscovering your acquaintances are excelling in what they do. Consider the bonus ofnetworking their progress with that of your own. The possibilities are far-reaching and in thisstory span from Durham to Cairo, Egypt. From June 25-29, six researchers from the NationalResearch Center (NRC) in Cairo met with UNH chemical engineering professor Ihab Farag inhis biodiesel lab reuniting in their effort to introduce biodiesel technology into Egypt. NRC isone of the largest and most credible research centers in the Middle East.In 2004 Farag, director and founder of the UNH Biodiesel Group, was awarded a three-yeargrant from the US-Egypt Science and Technology Program (part of U.S. Agency forInternational Development). The grant/project involved working with NRC on introducingbiodiesel, a renewable and environmentally friendly fuel alternative to petroleum diesel intoEgypt. The project focuses on the technical and economic feasibility of producing biodieselfrom a non-edible plant (Jatropha) that can be grown in poor or damaged soil in Egypt, andthe possibility of expanding this into large scale production. The main benefits of this are:- Greening the desert, by growing Jatropha in desert area- Utilizing municipal wastewater. Jatropha is being irrigated by municipal wastewater- Production of local home-grown fuel (biodiesel) that can be used locally or exported- Creating jobs that benefit local and rural economyProfessors Nahed Attia, Hammam El Abd, Guzine ElDiwani, Salwa Ismail Hawash, and ShadiaRagheb Tawfik are each members of the chemical engineering and pilot plant unit of NRC, andFerial Zaher is of the NRC Oil and Fat department. They have been proactive in working withUNH on introducing the biodiesel technology into Egypt. With exception of Attia (who isequivalent to an assistant professor), they all have more than 20 years of experience inresearch, student supervision and project execution, and working with local industry.Egyptian project director ElDiwani said, “This is my second trip to UNH. Two years ago UNHbiodiesel research was still in the lab-scale stage. Today the Biodiesel Lab reflects Dr. Farag’sbiodiesel achievements which are in synch with the increasing interest in the U.S. andworldwide. Dr. Farag’s high-bay biodiesel lab is now equipped with an excellent pilot-scalefacility to process biodiesel from waste vegetable oil. Realizing the importance of biodieselfeedstock Dr. Farag is conducting pioneering research on the production of biodiesel fromalgae. One of the highlights of this trip was touring campus in the biodiesel-powered Wildcatbus. Another was witnessing democracy in action while at the State House. Both the House9/11/17, 12(20 PMBiodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNHPage 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2007/july/dj05egypt.cfm.htmland the Senate were in session.”Dr. Tawfik said, “It has indeed been a productive and rewarding visit. We have beenacknowledged by the Senate, welcomed by the Honorable Governor Lynch, and additionallywelcomed by both UNH’s outgoing interim president Bonnie Newman and new president MarkHuddelson. We have met with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Boston to learnabout environmental issues, as well as with the New Hampshire Department of EnvironmentalServices and Air Resources Division. Likewise we visited the International Trade ResourceCenter and Pease Development Center in Newington. In all, good relations have been made inour struggle for alternative energy sources and a greener world. Relations which we hope, intime, will only become stronger.”DOWNLOADABLE HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS:http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/egyptians_bus.jpgOne of the highlights of this trip was touring campus in the biodiesel powered Wildcat bus. L-R, UNH Chemical Engineering professor, Ihab Farag, Egyptian renewable fuel researchers: Drs.Guzine ElDiwani, Salwa Ismail Hawash, and Hammam El Abd.http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/egyptians_GovLynch.jpgPictured with Governor Lynch, Wednesday, June 27, from left to right are: NH DES Tim Drew,Egyptian delegates, Drs. Nahed Attia, Salwa Hawash, and Guzine ElDiwani, Governor JohnLynch, Egyptian delegates, Drs. Shadia Tawfik,Ferial Zaher, Hammam ElAbd, and UNHchemical engineering professor Ihab Farag.http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/egyptian_researchers.jpgMonday, June 25, learning about environmental issues and biodiesel regulations from aFederal perspective from the Environmental Protection Agency in Boston. L-R, Egyptiandelegates: Drs. Nahed Attia, Shadia Ragheb Tawfik,Salwa Ismail Hawash, Ferial Zaher andGuzine ElDiwani.http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/egyptians_lab.jpgFriday, June 29, Physics laboratory manager Mike Briggs shows how the high-bay BiodieselLab is now equipped with an excellent pilot-scale facility to process biodiesel from wastevegetable oil. L-R, Mike Briggs, Egyptian researchers: Drs. Shadia Ragheb Tawfik, Ferial Zaherand Hamman El Abd.

https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1811&amp;context=news

Biodiesel Researchers From Egypt Visit UNH

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

University of New Hampshire

UNH Scholars' Repository