Starting from the idea of saving and protecting the environment, through the use of used cooking oil waste; expert Ngo Hoai Nhiem - Cuu Long University, has formed the idea of "Making a recycled stove from waste oil". Currently, Hoai Nhiem is in the process of transforming the idea into a project and selling the product to the market.
 |
| Ngo Hoai Nhiem presented his idea. |
Ideas for the environment
As a young man of the 2k generation, Ngo Hoai Nhiem - a specialist in the Department of Science Management - Cuu Long University, is interested in environmental issues because his workplace is opposite an industrial park. Sharing the reason for the idea, Nhiem said: "Since I was a child, at home, going to the market and going to work, smelling the smell of oil, seeing people using cooking oil over and over again, I have wondered how the waste oil is treated, what are the effects?...".
From that thought, combined with the knowledge he learned from mechanical engineering, learning from colleagues and teachers at school, Nhiem successfully built the idea of "making a stove that recycles waste oil".
Hoai Nhiem shared: “Along with the development of industry and the increase in population, the amount of waste or used grease from food processing factories, from restaurants, hotels, eateries, etc. to households has also increased. This amount of waste cooking oil is collected by private facilities, after being reused many times, it will be discharged into the environment, causing environmental pollution and affecting human health.”
 |
| Concept image of “Recycled cooking stove from waste oil”. |
According to Nhiem’s preliminary survey, in Ho Chi Minh City alone, the amount of waste oil from processing facilities is 4-5 tons/day. Meanwhile, the demand for gas is increasing, from 2022-2024, the demand growth is expected to reach an average of 1.7% per year, meaning that gas demand will be too high to follow the IEA’s roadmap towards achieving net zero emissions globally by 2050.
“The cost of gas is increasing, so the stove recycled from waste oil is a very necessary service device today. Saving costs, improving social life and developing the economy ” - Nhiem shared more.
The new feature of this "recycled stove" is its compact design compared to stoves imported from abroad, but its productivity is guaranteed, it saves installation space and is convenient to move.
Specifically: The structure of the stove is not too complicated, easy to use, and the maintenance process is also convenient. The manufacturing cost is low, saving costs. Besides, the stove operates without causing danger, has abundant fuel sources and does not pollute the environment. According to Nhiem's preliminary estimate, the price of each stove is 600,000 VND, which will save 50% of fuel costs compared to using gas as it is now.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Minh Cu - President of Cuu Long University, said: “The school always allocates funds to encourage scientific research, innovative startups; thanks to that, research projects and creative ideas have increased significantly. In addition, the school also focuses on perfecting and developing curriculum in all training majors. Focusing on research and guiding the right training majors towards startups. Thereby, every year the school has award-winning startup ideas/projects.” |
Expect ideas to come true
It can be seen that the demand and price of gas are increasing, so the idea of “Recycled cooking stove from waste oil” is a very necessary service device today, because it is both economical and environmentally friendly. The problem is that implementing the idea into a product and commercializing that product is a difficult journey.
Hoai Nhiem's wish is to bring the product to the market. In particular, he will sell the details of the assembled stove on-site or instruct customers to assemble it at home. In addition, there will be a form of delivering the stove to home, installing, maintaining and instructing customers on how to use it. At the same time, he will support warranty and online consultation for customers throughout the usage process.
Regarding the economic efficiency of the product, Hoai Nhiem said: "The stove is simple to manufacture and easy to use, saving costs when purchasing the product, can use a lot of fuel sources, so the price is very cheap, saving monthly cooking costs. Because the stove is small in size, easy to assemble and cheap, it can meet the needs of everyone."
Nhiem said: “To form the idea, I received a lot of support and encouragement from the school and colleagues. I will try to turn the idea into reality in the near future.”
It can be said that Hoai Nhiem's idea has shown the benefits of saving and contributing to limiting environmental pollution. The current problem is the difficult path when bringing a new product to the market, replacing the current habit of using gas as fuel. That is not to mention the product must meet the prescribed safety standards, where people must buy waste oil fuel when using the stove? the preservation stage and fire and explosion safety issues, ...
 |
| The Organizing Committee awarded prizes to the winning ideas (Ngo Hoai Nhiem is 3rd from left). |
In reality, startups today have many good ideas, but not many ideas become projects and even fewer ideas are applied into business products. This requires perseverance and determination from the startup; along with the support of the agency or unit where the startup works. Furthermore, startups need practical mechanisms and policies to support ideas into practical products.
At the final round of the 4th Vinh Long Province Startup Ideas and Projects Competition/2023. The Organizing Committee received 90 entries. After the preliminary round, the Organizing Committee selected 8 ideas and 6 projects for the final round. The idea of "Making a recycled stove from waste oil" by Ngo Hoai Nhiem - Cuu Long University, won third prize. According to the jury, the ideas and projects in the competition demonstrated the application of technology; meeting the criteria for community development. |
Article and photos: CAO HUYEN
Source
Comment (0)