https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/bio-fuel-to-lead-the-way-in-clean-energy-in-india/articleshow/61800534.cms
Bio-fuel to lead the way in clean energy in India
Arpita Sharad | TNN | Nov 25, 2017, 23:42 IST
Aurangabad: A city-based business has now joined the country's select
few firms manufacturing biodiesel, a recognised diesel replacement made
from recycled fatty acids that are generated from organic resources.
The fuel known by its scientific name methyl ester can be a game-changer
for utilizing agriculture by-products, reducing cost of running diesel
engines and decreasing dependability on fossil fuels.
According to a biodiesel manufacturer's director Nachiket Muley, "Six
months ago, Aurangabad city was consuming an impressive one lakh litres
of biodiesel a month blended with diesel.
The manufacturing process of biodiesel or greenfuel includes converting
oils and fats into chemicals called long chain mono-alkyl esters which
are also referred to as fatty acid methyl or ethyl esters.
"Recycled or fresh vegetable oils and animal fats are used to produce
this greenfuel," Muley said.
Considering the density, viscosity, calorific value of biodiesel and
diesel, the best way to use the greenfuel is to use it in blend with
diesel in a 20:80 ratio.
Muley added, "Biodiesel is indigenously produced and reduces the
requirement of petrol and diesel import, engineer-turned entrepreneur."
Biodiesel's molecular structure causes the liquid to be more viscous and
dense consequently working as a better lubricant. Hence, a vehicle
running on biodiesel will give better performance. The fuel has oxygen
molecules as it is produced from plants which allows complete combustion
and thereby causing less sulphur dioxide and particulate matter in
emission. A mixture of 20% biodiesel with 80% petro-diesel reduces air
pollutants by at least 20% - 40%, according to a CPCB report.
Debashree Chakraborty in her report for Central Pollution Control Board
lists non-edible oils obtained from plant species such as Jatropha
curcas (Ratanjyot), Pongamia pinnata (Karanj), rubber, sugarcane and
algae as the main source of biodiesel in India. Rapeseed, sunflower,
soybean, castor and maize are also used for making the greenfuel.
Muley is trying to increase awareness about the fuel and reach out to
farmers in rural areas.
"The use of biodiesel ensures that the farmers' produce is used in the
manufacturing the fuel forming a complete cycle of the economy," Muley
explains.