High Fuel Cost Inspires an Innovation in Welding Technology

Third-year students at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi built a welding machine that uses biogas instead of regular fuel to power the engine.

“When welding takes place in the field, one problem that will occur is the cost of fuel, because today’s portable welding machines require at least a 5.6 horsepower engine. Moreover, welding usually takes place at construction sites, which have no electricity, making portability a necessity.

“In order to save the fuel cost, using an alternative fuel is a sound option. For Thailand, studies show that biogas can be produced domestically and stored for future usage,” said one of the students who worked on this project. The team consisted of Santi Looklim, Chanin Torpongkon, and Benjarak Nakrueang, third-year students majoring technical education, working under the guidance of Ajarn Chairat Hongtong.

“The welding industry is growing fast in the areas of equipment and welders’ technical skill. Today, many welding work takes place in the field, and this means the machine must be equipped with a fuel-powered motor in order to allow portability.

“However, higher benzene prices in Thailand have become a major problem that needs to be tackled, and that’s why we decided to build a machine that uses biogas,” said the team representative.

The biogas-powered welding machine consists of a 5.6hp motor, a reducer, pipe valves, gas pipes, vacuum pipes, and a gas tank. Initial studies reveal that the biogas-powered machine is a viable option. It consumes 0.3 kilograms of biogas per welding operation; and 1.5 kilograms of biogas can weld five times, using seven wires per operation and costing 0.254 baht per kilogram. The fuel consumption rate is 0.019 baht per wire, with an average penetration rate of 0.75 millimeter.

The machine can receive up to 105amp of electric current. No porosity, slag inclusion, undercut, and overlap values were reported.

For more information, contact Ajarn Chairat at 086 511 5857.