Biodiesel Technology Need of the Hour for India

The non-renewability, ecological issues and health threats associated with the fossil fuels has resulted in expedition of alternative sources of energy to replace the standard ones. A promising innovation, still in its infancy, that might show us the method to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from vegetable oil or animal-fat that might be utilized 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 contains no petroleum but can be blended with petroleum diesel for use or might be utilized in its pure type.

Developed nations specifically United States and European Countries have currently made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its use throughout markets and verticals and could emerge as an ideal cleaner and more affordable alternative to fuel, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has actually likewise begun checking out the chances to produce and use bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently working in the nation where veggie oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol typically) to produce bio-diesel.

The main factor for the increasing need for biodiesels is the truth that biodiesels are eco-friendly and carbon-neutral, hence having no net impact on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines similar to normal petroleum diesel and for this reason can be utilized with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not need any separate facilities for its storage and can be stored just like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy need in the country, rising petroleum rates and the ecological threats of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has actually taken up initiatives to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established more oil processing units. The Government revealed its ‘National Biofuel Policy’ on 12 September 2008 which intends to satisfy 20% of India’s diesel need with bio-fuels in the coming years.

Globally, edible veggie 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 oil – a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The biggest benefit of using Jatropha as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in substantial amounts in wastelands all across India needing very little water in contrast to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a useful life-span of a number of decades. The Jatropha seeds consist of 40% oil and are considered to be an exceptional source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land ideal for the Jatropha cultivation in the nation. India now

A research study approximates that even if a mixing effort of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is accomplished in 2011-12, India will conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will generate around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and aid in decrease of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The government is taking actions to encourage the cultivation of Jatropha in India offering complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India needs to now enhance its efforts to make the maximum use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the opportunities for drawing out biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, oil and palm oil ought to also be checked out. It will not only provide an answer to the challenge of Global Warming however could decrease our dependence on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.