1 Biodiesel Technology Need of the Hour For India
Thomas Elsey edited this page 2 months ago


The non-renewability, ecological concerns and health risks associated with the nonrenewable fuel sources has actually caused exploration of alternative sources of energy to replace the standard ones. A promising technology, still in its infancy, that could reveal us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels obtained from vegetable oil or animal-fat that could be utilized to run diesel engines. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, Jatropha and so on can be subjected to to produce biodiesels. It contains no petroleum however can be blended with petroleum diesel for usage or could be utilized in its pure kind.

Developed nations particularly United States and European Countries have actually already made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually found its use throughout industries and verticals and could emerge as an ideal cleaner and less expensive alternative to fuel, diesel and fossil fuels. India has likewise begun checking out the chances to produce and use bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already working in the country where veggie oils are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol normally) to produce bio-diesel.

The main factor for the increasing need for biodiesels is the truth that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net effect on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines similar to normal petroleum diesel and hence can be used with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not need any separate facilities for its storage and can be stored similar to the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the nation, increasing petroleum costs and the environmental dangers of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has actually taken up initiatives to develop the Bio Diesel Technology in India and set up more oil processing systems. The Government announced its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which aims to fulfill 20% of India's diesel need with bio-fuels in the coming years.

Globally, edible vegetable oils like sunflower, soya bean, rape seed, palm oil are utilized as the pre-dominant basic materials for oil processing and biodiesel production however in India the maximum capacity to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The biggest advantage of utilizing Jatropha as a raw material is that this plant can be grown in substantial quantities in wastelands all across India needing very little water in comparison to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life-span of numerous years. The jatropha curcas seeds contain 40% oil and are considered to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has actually recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land appropriate for the jatropha curcas growing in the nation. India now

A research study estimates that even if a blending initiative of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is achieved in 2011-12, India will save around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will produce around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and help in decrease of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The government is taking actions to motivate the cultivation of Jatropha in India supplying complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other centers. India requires to now enhance its efforts to make the fullest usage of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides jatropha curcas, the avenues for drawing out biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil must likewise be explored. It will not just offer a response to the obstacle of Global Warming however could decrease our reliance on foreign oil and add to our own economy.