The non-renewability, ecological issues and health risks related to the fossil fuels has resulted in exploration of alternative sources of energy to substitute the traditional ones. An appealing technology, still in its infancy, that could show us the method to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels obtained from vegetable oil or animal-fat that could be used to run diesel engines. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, Jatropha etc can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It includes no petroleum however can be blended with petroleum diesel for use or could be utilized in its pure kind.
Developed countries especially United States and European Countries have actually currently made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its use throughout markets and verticals and might become an ideal cleaner and cheaper alternative to petrol, diesel and fossil fuels. India has actually likewise started exploring the opportunities to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently working in the country where vegetable oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol generally) to produce bio-diesel.
The main reason for the increasing demand for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are renewable and carbon-neutral, hence having no net effect on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines much like typical petroleum diesel and for this reason can be used with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not require any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be stored much like the petroleum based fuels.
Considering the growing energy need in the country, rising petroleum costs and the environmental hazards of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has actually used up efforts 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 demand with bio-fuels in the coming years.
Globally, edible vegetable oils like sunflower, soya bean, rape seed, palm oil are used as the pre-dominant raw products for oil processing and biodiesel production but in India the maximum capacity to produce biodiesels is from Jatropha oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The greatest benefit of using jatropha curcas as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in big amounts in wastelands all across India needing extremely little water in contrast to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life expectancy of several years. The Jatropha seeds include 40% oil and are considered to be an outstanding source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has actually recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land ideal for the Jatropha cultivation in the nation. India now
A study estimates that even if a blending effort of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is achieved in 2011-12, India will conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will create around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and assistance in reduction of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The is taking steps to encourage the growing of jatropha curcas in India providing free seeds, subsidized loans and other centers. India requires to now strengthen its efforts to make the maximum use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the opportunities for extracting biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil should likewise be explored. It will not only offer an answer to the obstacle of Global Warming however could decrease our dependence on foreign oil and add to our own economy.
1
Biodiesel Technology Need of the Hour For India
Hubert Tomlin edited this page 2025-01-12 01:00:17 +08:00