Biodiesel Technology Need of the Hour for India

The non-renewability, environmental concerns and health risks related to the fossil fuels has actually led to exploration of alternative sources of energy to replace the standard ones. A promising technology, still in its infancy, that could show us the method to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from grease or animal-fat that might be utilized to run diesel motors. 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 could be utilized in its pure form.

Developed countries specifically United States and European Countries have already made considerable advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually discovered its usage across industries and verticals and could emerge as an ideal cleaner and more affordable alternative to fuel, diesel and fossil fuels. India has actually likewise begun checking out the opportunities to produce and use bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently working in the country where vegetable oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol typically) to produce bio-diesel.

The primary reason for the increasing demand for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net effect on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines similar to regular petroleum diesel and thus can be utilized with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not need any different infrastructure for its storage and can be kept much like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the country, rising petroleum prices and the environmental risks of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has used up initiatives to develop the Bio Diesel Technology in India and set up more oil processing systems. The Government revealed its ‘National Biofuel Policy’ on 12 September 2008 which intends 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 utilized as the pre-dominant basic materials for oil processing and biodiesel production however in India the optimal capacity to produce biodiesels is from Jatropha oil – a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The biggest advantage of using Jatropha as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in huge quantities in wastelands all across India requiring really little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a useful life-span of a number of years. The Jatropha seeds consist of 40% oil and are considered to be an outstanding source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has actually identified 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable for the Jatropha growing in the nation. India now

A research study approximates that even if a blending initiative of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is in 2011-12, India will save around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will generate 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 encourage the growing of Jatropha in India supplying complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other centers. India requires to now enhance its efforts to make the fullest use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the avenues for extracting biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil ought to also be explored. It will not only provide a response to the obstacle of Global Warming but could reduce our reliance on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.