Biodiesel Technology Need of the Hour for India

The non-renewability, environmental issues and health hazards associated with the fossil fuels has resulted in expedition 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 originated from veggie 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 might be utilized in its pure type.

Developed countries especially United States and have actually currently made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its use across markets and verticals and could become a perfect cleaner and more affordable alternative to gas, diesel and fossil fuels. India has actually also begun exploring the chances to produce and use bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already functioning in the nation where veggie oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol usually) to produce bio-diesel.

The main factor for the increasing demand for biodiesels is the truth that biodiesels are eco-friendly and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net effect on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines much like normal 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 similar to the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy need in the nation, rising petroleum costs and the ecological dangers of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has actually used up initiatives to develop the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established more oil processing units. The Government revealed 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 basic materials for oil processing and biodiesel production however in India the maximum potential to produce biodiesels is from Jatropha oil – a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The most significant advantage of using Jatropha as a raw product is that this plant can be grown in big quantities in wastelands all throughout India requiring extremely little water in comparison to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a useful lifespan of several years. The Jatropha seeds contain 40% oil and are thought about to be an exceptional source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has determined 400,000 square kilometres of land ideal for the Jatropha growing in the nation. India now

A study estimates that even if a blending effort of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is achieved in 2011-12, India will conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will produce 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 motivate the cultivation of Jatropha in India offering totally free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India requires to now reinforce its efforts to make the fullest usage of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the avenues for drawing out biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil ought to also be checked out. It will not just offer an answer to the obstacle of Global Warming however might reduce our dependence on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.