The non-renewability, ecological issues and health hazards related to the nonrenewable fuel sources has actually led to exploration of alternative sources of energy to substitute the conventional ones. A promising innovation, 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 could be utilized to run diesel motors. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, Jatropha etc can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It includes no petroleum however can be blended with petroleum diesel for usage or could be utilized in its pure type.
Developed countries specifically United States and European Countries have currently made significant advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have found its use throughout industries and verticals and might become a perfect cleaner and more affordable alternative to fuel, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has actually also begun checking out the chances to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already operating in the nation where vegetable oils are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol normally) to produce bio-diesel.
The main factor for the increasing demand for biodiesels is the reality that biodiesels are renewable and carbon-neutral, thus having no net influence on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines much like typical petroleum diesel and thus can be utilized with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not require 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 prices and the ecological hazards of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has used up initiatives to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and set up more oil processing systems. The Government announced its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which intends to meet 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 pre-dominant raw 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 benefit of using Jatropha as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in substantial quantities in wastelands all across India needing very little water in contrast to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life expectancy of a number of decades. The Jatropha seeds contain 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 suitable for the Jatropha growing in the country. India now
A study estimates that even if a mixing effort of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is accomplished in 2011-12, India will save around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will create around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and assistance in reduction of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The federal government is taking steps to encourage the growing of Jatropha in India providing totally free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India requires to now enhance its efforts to make the fullest use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the opportunities for extracting biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil need to also be explored. It will not only provide a response to the challenge of Global Warming however could decrease our dependence on foreign oil and add to our own economy.
