The non-renewability, ecological concerns and health dangers related to the nonrenewable fuel sources has actually resulted in expedition of alternative sources of energy to replace the traditional ones. An appealing technology, still in its infancy, that could show us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from vegetable oil or animal-fat that might be used to run diesel engines. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, Jatropha and so on 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 used in its pure type.
Developed countries especially United States and European Countries have currently made significant advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its usage throughout industries and verticals and could emerge as an ideal cleaner and less expensive option to fuel, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has also begun exploring the chances to produce and use . A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently working in the nation where vegetable oils are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol generally) to produce bio-diesel.
The primary reason for the increasing need for biodiesels is the truth that biodiesels are eco-friendly 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 need any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be kept much like the petroleum based fuels.
Considering the growing energy demand in the country, rising petroleum rates and the ecological risks of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has taken up initiatives to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and set up more oil processing units. The Government revealed its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which intends to meet 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 raw materials for oil processing and biodiesel production but 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 most significant benefit of using jatropha curcas as a raw product is that this plant can be grown in huge amounts in wastelands all throughout India requiring really little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful lifespan of several years. The jatropha curcas seeds contain 40% oil and are considered to be an exceptional source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has determined 400,000 square kilometres of land appropriate for the jatropha curcas growing in the country. India now
A study approximates that even if a blending effort of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is attained in 2011-12, India will conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will create around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and aid in reduction of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The government is taking steps to motivate the growing of jatropha curcas in India supplying free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India needs to now enhance its efforts to make the fullest use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the opportunities for drawing out biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil must likewise be checked out. It will not only provide a response to the challenge of Global Warming but might reduce our reliance on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.
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Biodiesel Technology Need of the Hour For India
Kam Hickey edited this page 2025-01-12 05:03:42 +00:00