Power Plant Engineering

2.22.6 BIO FUEL TECHNOLOGY
Conservation of imported petroleum products and environmental pollution are the two important
issues of concern today in the country. Thus, there is a need to search for alternate fuels to petrol and
diesel for use in automobiles and diesel engines. Ethanol, currently used mainly as a raw material for
chemical industries, in medicines and for potable purposes, is being increasingly looked upon as a
potential fuel for powering automobiles. When used in blends with gasoline, ehanol enhances the com-
bustion of gasoline due to oxygen molecules resulting in a more efficient burn and reduced emissions.
Other potential bio fuels are edible and non-edible oils such as Jatropha curcas, Karanje, honge, etc.
Recent developments taken place world over have made the use of ethanol petrol blend and biodiesel
interesting new alternatives for conventional, unmodified diesel vehicles.
Development of technology for the production of ethanol from different routes, converting dif-
ferent non-edible oils to bio-diesel, developing kits/modified engines capable of using biofuels with
10% and more blends are some of the attempts being made by the Ministry to reduce the use of imported
petroleum products in automobiles. Recently a policy analytical study has been carried out by the Min-
istry for drafting a long-term policy on biofuels. A shot loan scheme based on interest subsidies has been
introduced during the current financial year for the producers of ethanol and other biofuels and the
manufacturers of modified engines and kits enable to use biofuels. A research and development project
has been sanctioned to Andhra University to develop aqua-porthole and develop the specifications of
the engines enable to use the fuel thus developed. Efforts are being made to take up a demonstration
project on the trial run of diesel vehicles with bio-diesel in collaboration with some oil company and
manufacturers of diesel vehicles followed by launching of a Technology Mission on biofuels.