What is Bio Diesel?
The concept dates back to 1885 when Dr. Rudolf Diesel built the first diesel engine with the full intention of running it on vegetative source.
He first displayed his engine at the Paris show of 1900 and astounded everyone when he ran the patented engine on any hydrocarbon fuel available - which included gasoline and peanut oil. In 1912 he stated " … the use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today. But such oils may in the course of time become as important as petroleum and the coal tar products of present time."
Scientists discovered that the viscosity ( thicKness) of vegetable oils could be reduced in a simple chemical process In 1970 and that it could work well as diesel fuel in modern engine.
This fuel is called Bio- Diesel.
Since than the technical developments have largely been completed. Plant oil is highly valued as Bio fuel "Diesel" and transformed into Bio Diesel in most industrialised
Please note !!
* This vegetable oil can be used as it is crushed – ie - unrefined in the engines of cars
* This vegetable oil can be blended with normal diesel and used in cars.
* This vegetable oil can be refined and sold as pure diesel
* Refined it can be exported as a clean fuel to anywhere in the world.
Bio Diesel is asubstitute for, or an additive to, diesel fuel that is derived from the oils and fats of plants, like Sunflower, Canola or Jatropha.
It is an alternative fuel that can be used in diesel engines and provides power similar to conventional diesel fuel.
Bio Diesel is arenewable domestically produced liquid fuel that can help reduce the countries dependence on foreign oil imports.
Recent environmental and economic concerns (Kyoto Protocol) have prompted resurgence in the use of biodiesel throughout the world. In 1991, the European Community, (EC) Proposed a 90% tax reduction for the use of biofuels, including biodiesel.
To day, 21 countries worldwide, produce Biodiesel.
The Advantages of Bio Diesel
Bio Diesel is the most valuable form of renewable energy that can be used directly in any existing, unmodified diesel engine.
Bio Diesel fuel and can be produced from oilseed plants such as rape seeds, sunflower, canola and or JATROPHA CURCAS.
Bio Diesel is environmental friendly and ideal for heavily polluted cities.
Bio Diesel is as biodegradable as salt
Bio Diesel produces 80% less carbon dioxide and 100% less sulfur dioxide emissions. It provides a 90% reduction in cancer risks.
Bio Diesel can be used alone or mixed in any ratio with mineral oil diesel fuel. The preferred ratio if mixture ranges between 5 and 20% (B5 - B20)
Bio Diesel extends the live of diesel engines
Bio Diesel is cheaper then mineral oil diesel
Bio Diesel is conserving natural resources
The Process
The process of converting vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel is called Transesterification and is luckily less complex then it sounds.
Chemically, Transesterification means taking a triglyceride molecule, or a complex fatty acid, neutralizing the free fatty acids, removing the glycerin, and creating an alcohol ester. This is accomplished by mixing methanol with sodium hydroxide to make sodium methoxide. This liquid is then mixed into the vegetable oil. After the mixture has settled, Glycerin is left on the bottom and methyl esters, or biodiesel is left on top and is washed and filtered.
The final product Bio Diesel fuel, when used directly in a Diesel Engine will burn up to 75% cleaner then mineral oil Diesel fuel.
The Technology
Presently, the indigenously designed bio-fuel plant for 250 lt./day is in operation. We have to design and develop bio-fuel plants of 3 to 10 tones per day capacity for installation in different parts of the country. Effective marketing chain needs to be planned for enabling farmers to reap the benefits directly. Bio-fuel mission will provide technological and employment generation focuses for the rural sector. Use of eleven million hectares of wasteland for Jetropha cultivation can lead to generation of minimum twelve million jobs
The Cost
The cost of Bio Diesel is largely dependent on the choice of feedstock and the size of the production facility.
If Jatropha feedstock is used, the fuel will cost depending on the country approximately US $ 0,40 per liter plus tax when applicable.
International Laws and regulation
Several countries have active Biodiesel programmes. Such countries also have given legislative support and have drawn up national polices on biodiesel development. Wide variety of motives for action taken can observe like
Increase of energy supply security
Reduction of dependence on fossil energy forms
Reduction of harmful locally acting emissions.
Protection of soil by biodegradable products
Reduction of health hazard by using non-toxic products.
Biodiesel Scenario In India
As India is deficient in edible oils, non-edible oil is the main choice for producing biodiesel. According to Indian government policy and Indian technology effects. Some development works have been carried out with regards to the production of transesterfied non edible oil and its use in biodiesel by units such as Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Tamilnadu Agriculture University Coimbatore and Kumaraguru College of Technology in association with Pan horti consultants. Coimbatore. Generally a Blend of 5% to 20% is used in India (B5 to B20). Indian Oil Corporation has taken up Research and development work to establish the parameters of the production of tranesterified Jatropha Vegetable oil and use of bio diesel in its R&D center at Faridabad. Research is carried out in Kumaraguru College of Technology for marginally altering the engine parameters to suit the Indian Jatropha seeds and to minimize the cost of transesterification.
Bio Diesel Experiments
Initially 5% of the bio diesel was blended with High-speed diesel and later increased to 20%. The railway and Indian oil corporation has successfully used 10% blended biodiesel fuel in train running between Amritsar and New Delhi in the month of Feb 2003. At Kumaraguru College of Technology an auto rickshaw was run on pure biodiesel (B100) prepared from Jatropha oil.
Conclusion
As a substitute for fast depleting fossil fuel. Bio diesel had come to stay. In future, it should also serve to reduce and maintain the price of automobile fuel. The under exploited and un exploited vegetable oils are good sources of biofuel. Our country is endowed with many such plants. Research is being carried out now to convert vegetable oils into biodiesel through biotechnological processes using biodiesel. With a concentrated and coordinated effort. Wide use of bio diesel in our country is going to be a reality in the days to come.
A national mission on Bio-Diesel has already been proposed by the committee comprising six micro missions covering all aspects of plantation, procurement of seed, extraction of oil, trans-esterification, blending & trade, and research and development. Diesel forms nearly 40% of the energy consumed in the form of hydrocarbon fuels, and its demand is estimated at 40 million tons.
Therefore blending becomes the important National Issue which apart from giving the dividends , it saves the country's exchequer. India has vast stretches of degraded land, mostly in areas with adverse agro- climatic conditions, where species of Jatropha , Mahua etc can be grown easily.
Even 30 million hectares planted for bio- diesel can completely replace the current use of biofuels. The production of Bio fuels will also boost the rural economy which will bring more enthusiasm in more than one billion lives in the area
THE PLANT- PROFILE
1.INTRODUCTION
Jatropha curcus is a drought-resistant perennial, growing well in marginal/poor soil. It is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and lives, producing seeds for 50 years.
Jatropha the wonder plant produces seeds with an oil content of 37%. The oil can be combusted as fuel without being refined. It burns with clear smoke-free flame, tested successfully as fuel for simple diesel engine. The by-products are press cake a good organic fertilizer, oil contains also insecticide.
It is found to be growing in many parts of the country, rugged in nature and can survive with minimum inputs and easy to propagate.
Medically it is used for diseases like cancer, piles, snakebite, paralysis, dropsy etc.
Jatropha grows wild in many areas of India and even thrives on infertile soil. A good crop can be obtained with little effort. Depending on soil quality and rainfall, oil can be extracted from the jatropha nuts after two to five years. The annual nut yield ranges from 0.5 to 12 tons. The kernels consist of oil to about 60 percent; this can be transformed into biodiesel fuel through esterification.
Family: Euphorbiaceae Synonyms: Curcas purgans Medic. Vernacular/common names: English- physic nut, purging nut; Hindi - Ratanjyot Jangli erandi; Malayalam - Katamanak; Tamil - Kattamanakku; Telugu - Pepalam; Kannada - Kadaharalu; Gujarathi - Jepal; Sanskrit - Kanana randa.
Distribution and habitat
It is still uncertain where the centre of origin is, but it is believed to be Mexico and Central America. It has been introduced to Africa and Asia and is now culti-vated world-wide. This highly drought-resistant spe-cies is adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions. The current distribution shows that introduction has been most successful in the drier regions of the tropics with annual rainfall of 300-1000 mm. It occurs mainly at lower altitudes (0-500 m) in areas with average an-nual temperatures well above 20°C but can grow at higher altitudes and tolerates slight frost. It grows on well-drained soils with good aeration and is well adapted to marginal soils with low nutrient content.
Botanical Features
It is a small tree or shrub with smooth gray bark, which exudes a whitish colored, watery, latex when cut. Normally, it grows between three and five meters in height, but can attain a height of up to eight or ten meters under favourable conditions.
Leaves
It has large green to pale-green leaves, alternate to sub-opposite, three-to five-lobed with a spiral phyllotaxis.
Flowers
The petiole length ranges between 6-23 mm. The inflorescence is formed in the leaf axil. Flowers are formed terminally, individually, with female flowers usually slightly larger and occurs in the hot seasons. In conditions where continuous growth occurs, an unbalance of pistillate or staminate flower production results in a higher number of female flowers.
Fruits
Fruits are produced in winter when the shrub is leafless, or it may produce several crops during the year if soil moisture is good and temperatures are sufficiently high. Each inflorescence yields a bunch of approximately 10 or more ovoid fruits. A three, bi-valved cocci is formed after the seeds mature and the fleshy exocarp dries.
Seeds
The seeds become mature when the capsule changes from green to yellow, after two to four months
Flowering and fruiting habit
The trees are deciduous, shedding the leaves in the dry season. Flowering occurs during the wet season and two flowering peaks are often seen. In permanently hu-mid regions, flowering occurs throughout the year. The seeds mature about three months after flowering. Early growth is fast and with good rainfall conditions nursery plants may bear fruits after the first rainy season, direct sown plants after the second rainy season. The flowers are pollinated by insects especially honey bees.
Ecological Requirements
Jatropha curcas grows almost anywhere , even on gravelly, sandy and saline soils. It can thrive on the poorest stony soil. It can grow even in the crevices of rocks. The leaves shed during the winter months form mulch around the base of the plant. The organic matter from shed leaves enhance earth-worm activity in the soil around the root-zone of the plants, which improves the fertility of the soil.
Regarding climate, Jatropha curcas is found in the tropics and subtropics and likes heat, although it does well even in lower temperatures and can withstand a light frost. Its water requirement is extremely low and it can stand long periods of drought by shedding most of its leaves to reduce transpiration loss. Jatropha is also suitable for preventing soil erosion and shifting of sand dunes.
Biophysical limits
Altitude: 0-500 m, Mean annual temperature: 20-28 deg. C, Mean annual rainfall: 300-1000 mm or more.
Soil type: Grows on well-drained soils with good aeration and is well adapted to marginal soils with low nutrient content. On heavy soils, root formation is reduced. Jatropha is a highly adaptable species, but its strength as a crop comes from its ability to grow on very poor and dry sites.
BIODIESEL - World Wide Activities
In these years Biodiesel has steadily emerged from a trial production in back-yard type pilot plants to full industrial type production and marketing with wide and increasing acceptance by the Diesel vehicle industry, the fuel trade, and the end-user in a wide variety of market segments. In 21 out of the researched 28 countries Biodiesel was produced and testedwithin the period of the last 6 years.Those activities have led or most probably will lead to commercial projects in countries with different structure e.g. Austria, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy,Malaysia, Nicaragua, Sweden, USA and the INDIA.
Motivational Factors:
The strongest motivation in the past was the concern about the vulnerable sup-ply security of liquid fuels for the transport sector, as experienced world-wide by the oil supply shocks of the 70s and the Gulf war.As this coincided with an expensive agricultural overproduction in Europe, Bio-diesel became the flagship of all non-food projects utilising set-aside land for energy production, which is today the second strongest reason; similarly the surplus in soybeanoil is the driving force in the US. Today however, environmental concerns about global and local pollution have taken the lead as a motivational factor. But with the burden of high unemployment levels, the creation of additional jobs through local production of energy as liquid fuel has gained in weight signifi-cantly.
Raw Materials :
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Oil from rapeseed; sunfloweroil soy -beanoil,
o
palmoil, linseedoil,JATROPHA and karang
Capacity And Production :
In total, 85 Biodiesel production plants were identified, of which there were re-corded a number of pilot plants, over 40 small capacity (mostly farmers? co-operative)plants in the range of 500 - 3.000 tons, and big scale industrial plants in the capacity range of approx. 5.000 - 120.000 tons.
Production capacity rose from 75.000 tons in 1991 to 1,286.OOO tons in 1996,while actual production developed from 10.000 tons to 591.000 tons in the same period.
Quality Management :
The assurance for high quality was a key issue for developing customer confi-dence.
Austria developed the first standard ON C 1190 for Biodiesel, followed by others in Czechia, France, Italy, leading into the German DIN E 51606 as the probably most elaborate standard for Fatty-acid-methyl-ester (FAME) to-day.
Marketing Strategy :
Local levels of taxation and national tax exemptions led to different marketing decisions e.g., use as heating oil in Italy, a 5 %-blend to fossil Diesel in France,a 20 %-blend and 100 % neat in the USA and the 100 % use in Austria and Germany targeting the environmentally sensitive areas such as water protection areas or smog-risk cities.
Barriers And Measures For Improvement :
High cost of raw materials is today the strongest barrier and sufficient detaxa-tion of well-founded internalisation of all the external cost (environment, supply security, renewable energy, new jobs, etc.) is seen as an effective tool.
Global Development And Trends :
October 2004 saw the record of US55 for a barrel of oil broken. Of major concern is that this is not just Another 1970s/80s oil crisis, and that the world has moved to a point where oil discoveries are smaller and Failing to match both traditional demand and the energy demands large growing economies such as China and India.
For many governments around the world this has been a clear signal to accelerate the development of Alternative fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, LPG, and CNG that will be needed to bridge the transition to new future fuel technologies over the next 30 years.
Furthermore, there are many other factors, which are driving greater interest in renewable fuel sources.These include future energy security, reductions in vehicle exhaust emissions that create air pollution and pose a direct threat to human health, significant greenhouse benefits compared to petroleum fuels and new economic and jobs growth in regional and rural communities
Motivational factors :
1. Renewable energy :
It appears that the strongest motive for most of the Biodiesel producers is that it is as a renewable form of energy, especially when it has become obvious that fossil resources are finite and supply security of mineral oils is an increasing risk
2. Environmental benefits :
Obviously all the environmental benefits (less greenhouse effect, less local air pollution, less contamination for water and soil, less health risks) are seen as convincing motivational factors with some variation by country.
3. Utilisation of agricultural surpluses :
Increased production of agricultural crops for non-food purposes has offered the opportunity to utilise land, which otherwise would be set-aside as an unex-ploited resource. It is no surprise that this argument it seen as a strong motive in favour of Biodiesel.
4. Creation of a pioneer image:
Developing a new challenging idea and the related positive image can be a strong driving force
5. Scientific interest
For this new research & development field in renewable energy
6. Political reasons
7. State incentives
8.Creating additional employment
9.Reduced import dependency.
Following is a summary of steps being taken by a growing number of governments to promote the development of sustainable renewable fuels worldwide.
United States
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Hawaii has mandated that at least 85% of petrol sold in the state must contain 10% ethanol from April 2006.
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Currently the US has 81 operating ethanol plants, with 11 new plants currently under construction.
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The rapid industry growth is being driven by major oil company demand for ethanol as a replacement for methyl ether (MTBE) as an oxygenate in reformulated fuel in states such as California, which alone has over 25 million cars and light vehicles.
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Both President Bush, and his Democrat opponent, Sen. John Kerry, announced strong support for renewable fuels industry growth in America in their 2004 Presidential election campaigns. The President stated during his election campaign, "I believe in ethanol and I believe in biodiesel." Sen. Kerry planned to create a government/agriculture/industry ‘Clean Fuels Partnership' to meet 20% of U. motor fuel demand from domestically produced renewable transport fuels by 2020.
Brazil
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The success of the government/industry Brazilian Roadshow delegation visit to Queensland has opened up valuable information channels with the ethanol industry in Brazil. This has led to the announcement of a technical feasibility study between a cane growing group QLD and the major Brazilian equipment company, Dedini, on introducing the Brazilian ethanol model into the QLD sugar industry.
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Record high oil prices and Asian demand (China, Japan, and India) for renewable fuels have witnessed record demand for Brazilian ethanol exports. With Brazil producing ethanol at US$ to US$30 per barrel the demand for ethanol as a replacement for oil can only grow.
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In October 2004 the Brazilian parliament mandated a 2% biodiesel blend with diesel fuel, with plans to raise the biodiesel content to 5% in years .
Canada
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The Canadian biofuels industry is poised for significant growth as Ontario moves to join Saskatchewan and Manitoba in implementing a 10% renewable fuels mandate. Other provinces such as British Columbia are supporting ethanol and biodiesel by making them exempt from fuel excise taxes.
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Canada aims to have a 10% ethanol blend in 35% of all petrol sold by 2010.
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The worlds first commercially produced ultra low carbon ethanol fuel from wheat straw, is being used in a 10,000-km coast-to-coast clean vehicle promotional tour supported by GM Canada and Chevrolet. The tour will end in October.
Japan
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The current oil price crisis has intensified Japanese interest in introducing fuel ethanol into their transport fleet. The tempo of negotiations with Brazil has increased, with a visit by Japan's Prime Minister to a major ethanol plant in Brazil.
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Initial reluctance by oil companies in Japan to take up ethanol was reflected in a Nippon Oil statement announcing that six refineries were expected to commence blending, storage, distribution and sales trials of ethanol this year. A prolonged international oil price crisis is expected to bring this timetable forward.
European Union
The EU has approved a Directive that stipulates that the energy-based share of biofuels should be 2% by the end of 2005, increasing 0.75% per year until it reaches 5.75% by the end of 2010. Biodiesel production is experiencing higher growth in Europe than ethanol.
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The EU Commission is introducing UK Treasury measure to reduce or exempt rates of fuel excise on ethanol and biodiesel used for road transport between 2005 and 2010.
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Germany has commenced construction of a 260 million-litre ethanol plant that is due to come on line later this year.
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Spain, Germany and Sweden offer generous incentives to promote biofuels use, and Germany alone will produce 1 billion litres of biodiesel in 2004.
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Sweden has mandated a 5% renewable fuels target.
China
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In early 2003 China eclipsed Japan as the largest user of oil in Asia, relegating Japan to the position of fourth largest user of oil after the United States, Europe and China. The International Energy Agency anticipates that the surge in Chinese demand for oil will continue into the future.
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Although China is the third largest ethanol producer in the world (over 3 BL per year), it is considered inevitable that Chinese demand for fuel ethanol for transport use will also drive higher import levels in the future, along with higher investment in energy agriculture capacity in producer countries.
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The Chinese Government is supporting the use of ethanol in the transport sector in 8 provinces in the north of China.
Thailand
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The Thai Government recently approved the construction of 8 ethanol plants and is currently considering the approval of a further 12 plants using sugarcane and cassava.
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In Thailand two national oil companies and Royal Dutch Shell are expected to commence sales of E10 at service stations in the near future.
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The Petroleum Authority of Thailand has announced that it will follow the lead of the U.S. in phasing out MTBE in petrol during 2004-2006.
South Korea
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As a major producer of MTBE fuel in Asia, South Korea is reluctant to ban MTBE, and is continuing scientific research to assist it in determining the future of MTBE production in Korea.
Columbia
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Columbia has announced investment of US$200 million to build eight ethanol plants in the country as part of a national program to introduce a 10% ethanol blend in motor fuels.
Mexico
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Mexico has initiated negotiations with Brazil on the introduction of ethanol to deal with the severe air pollution problems in its major cities.
Czech Republic
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The Czech Republic has announced reductions in fuel excise levied on biodiesel blend fuel to promote the use of environmentally friendly renewable fuels.
United Kingdom
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Scotland's first biodiesel plant (50 million litres per year) is expected to commence commercial production at Newarthill in early 2005.
South Africa
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The Treasury in South Africa has proposed tax incentives for biofuels production to attract investment, and expand the renewable energy/fuels sector.
Australia
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The Federal Election campaign saw the Labor Party move back to a bipartisan policy on ethanol andbiodiesel, with the claim that their policy was identical to that of the Government.
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Against the background of the current oil crisis the industry will be seeking to encourage the Government to extend the biofuels production target beyond the modest 350 million litres originally set under the $50 million grants scheme promised in 2001.
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No ethanol or biodiesel project in Round One was successful in securing oil company off-take agreements. Current indications are that none of the projects under Round Two have secured contracts. The challenge for the Government is whether the major oil companies will again be permitted exercise a de facto veto over projects in Round Two. If this is the case it will be further evidence that Australian oil company policy towards renewable fuels remains completely at odds with that of their parent companies in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere.
World Bank
The Chief Scientist of the World Bank has stated the global challenge is to produce energy from fossil fuels more efficiently, without emitting CO2 in the air, and also produce energy from renewable fuel technologies.
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