Civil engineering alumnus promotes environmental sustainability in Thailand

A love for food, people and the environment inspired Thanapong “Jack” Duangmanee to pursue a career in environmental engineering.

Duangmanee began his studies in food technology at Chulaohngkorn University, Thailand. During his time there, he took an environmental engineering class that introduced him to practices that environmental engineers could implement to improve the quality of life for people and the environment. One method in particular, converting animal waste into a clean burning fuel for cooking, would later become a major part of his career.

After earning his bachelor’s in food technology in 1997, he shifted his focus toward environmental engineering and applied to universities across the United States for graduate school. Duangmanee chose to enroll at Iowa State University because of the state’s agriculture-based economy and culture.

“Iowa had all the right conditions,” he said. “And ISU was the best option because my professor, Dr. Shihwu Sung, was one of the most famous professors in the field of biogas production from animal manure.”

Biogas is a gaseous fuel created from the fermentation of organic matter. Duangmanee assisted Sung, professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering at ISU, with a research project to repair a biogas digester that converted swine manure into biogas.

For the research project, Duangmanee says he had to diagnose a digester that was not producing the projected amounts of biogas. He discovered that the manure caused the problem because it was left outside for too long before it was processed.

He graduated from ISU with his master’s in civil engineering in 2002, and he earned his Ph.D. with a double major in civil engineering and biorenewables resources and technology in 2009.

Since 2010, Duangmanee returned to Thailand, where he has found his fit in environmental engineering. He now works as an environmental engineer for the Mae Fah Luang Foundation Under Royal Patronage. His connection with the foundation goes back to when he was younger. Duangmanee often visited the foundation’s Doi Tung Development Project in northern Thailand to see his friend, who was the son of one of its founding members.

“I have always been inspired by the work of the foundation and thought that one day I would like to be a part of it in some ways,” Duangmanee said.

He said the Doi Tung Development Project is one of the foundation’s flagship projects. Within the past 25 years, it has reduced opium farming and deforestation while the foundation has provided the people living in this area with alternative legitimate livelihood opportunities, including coffee, macadamia nut, mulberry paper, woven handicrafts and ceramics production, as well as tourism.

The project now emphasizes long-term sustainability by placing importance on clean production processes to ensure and improve the health of the workers, nearby communities and the surrounding environment.

This is where Duangmanee applies his skills as an environmental engineer. In addition to Doi Tung Development Project, he is currently working on an international extension project that promotes the use of small-scale biogas digester systems in Yenan Chaung, Myanmar.

Many of the rural residents in Yenan Chaung raise cattle; on average 10 cattle per family. They also harvest the surrounding forests for firewood to cook their meals. Duangmanee says the smoke produced from using wood as a fuel source for cooking has raised a number of health concerns.

A biogas digester offers a clean burning fuel for cooking that uses manure from cattle. Duangmanee says the new system helps villagers reduce deforestation and improve their environmental health.

“When the biogas system was set up, the villagers tried it out with much excitement and appreciation,” he adds. “I felt very rewarded to be able to bring them this technology to make their lives a little better.”

Duangmanee is also developing a community-based battery charging station and solar-powered refrigerating systems to store anti-snake venom serum for another sustainability project in the same area.