The non-renewability, environmental concerns and health threats related to the fossil fuels has resulted in expedition of alternative sources of energy to substitute the traditional ones. A promising technology, still in its infancy, that could reveal us the method to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from vegetable oil or animal-fat that could 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 includes no petroleum however can be blended with petroleum diesel for use or could be utilized in its pure type.
Developed countries especially United States and European Countries have currently made considerable advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its usage across industries and verticals and might become a perfect cleaner and cheaper option to petrol, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has likewise started checking out the opportunities to produce and use bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently working in the nation where veggie oils are reacted 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 renewable and carbon-neutral, thus having no net effect on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines similar to regular petroleum diesel and hence can be utilized with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not need any different facilities for its storage and can be stored just like the petroleum based fuels.
Considering the growing energy demand in the country, increasing petroleum costs and the environmental threats of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has taken up efforts to develop 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 satisfy 20% of India's diesel demand with bio-fuels in the coming years.
Globally, edible veggie oils like sunflower, soya bean, rape seed, palm oil are used as the products for oil processing and biodiesel production but in India the maximum potential to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The biggest benefit of utilizing jatropha curcas as a raw material is that this plant can be grown in big amounts in wastelands all throughout India needing very little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a useful life expectancy of a number of years. The Jatropha seeds include 40% oil and are considered to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has determined 400,000 square kilometres of land ideal for the Jatropha cultivation in the country. India now
A study estimates that even if a blending effort of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is accomplished 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 federal government is taking steps to motivate the cultivation of jatropha curcas in India supplying complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India requires to now reinforce its efforts to make the max use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides jatropha curcas, the avenues for drawing out biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil should likewise be explored. It will not only offer an answer to the difficulty of Global Warming however could decrease our reliance on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.
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Biodiesel Technology Need of the Hour For India
Isabell Dulaney edited this page 2025-01-13 21:43:17 +00:00