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| SNAPSHOTS OF REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT OF BIO-FUEL |
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| EXECUTIVE SUMMARY |
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| Introduction |
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Oil provides energy for 95% of transportation and the demand of transport fuel continues to rise. The requirement of Motor Spirit is expected to grow from little over 7 MMT in 2001 –02 to over 10 MMT in 2006-07 and 12.848 MMT in 2011-12 and that of diesel (HSD) from 39.815 MMT in 2001-02 to 52.324 MMT in 2006-07 and just over 66 MMT in 2011-12. The domestic supply of crude will satisfy only about 22% of the demand and the rest will have to be met from imported crude. Our dependence on import of oil will continue to increase in the foreseeable future. It has been estimated that the demand for crude oil would go up to 85 MMTPA from about 50 MMTPA in 2001-02 while the domestic production will be around 22% of the demand. The crude prices and availability are subject to great volatility depending upon the international situation and, therefore, attempt needs to be made to reduce dependence on imports. |
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In biofuels the country has a ray of hope. Biofuels are renewable liquid fuels coming from biological raw material and have been proved to be good substitutes for oil in the transportation sector. As such biofuels – ethanol and biodiesel- are gaining worldwide acceptance as a solution to environmental problems, energy security, reducing imports, rural employment and improving agricultural economy. |
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Ethanol is used as fuel or as an oxygenate to gasoline. Raw material used for producing ethanol varies from sugar, cereals, sugar beet to molasses in India. Brazil uses ethanol as 100 % fuel in about 20 per cent of vehicles and 25% blend with gasoline in the rest of the vehicles. USA uses 10 % ethanol-gasoline blends whereas a 5% blend is used in Sweden. Australia uses 10% ethanol-gasoline blend. Use of 5% ethanol-gasoline blend is already approved by BIS and is in progressive state of implementation in the country. BIS standards for 10% blend need to be drafted after conducting trials and fixing parameters. |
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Biodiesel is made from virgin or used vegetable oils (both edible & non-edible) and animal fats through trans-esterification and is a diesel substitute and requires very little or no engine modifications up to 20% blend and minor modification for higher percentage blends. The use of biodiesel results in substantial reduction of un-burnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matters. It has almost no sulphur, no aromatics and has about 10 % built in oxygen, which helps it to burn fully. Its higher cetane number improves the combustion. |
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Sunflower and rapeseed are the raw materials used in Europe whereas soyabean is used in USA. Thailand uses palm oil, Ireland uses frying oil and animal fats. It is proposed to use non-edible oil for making biodiesel. |
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| Rationale of Biofuels for Transport in India :- |
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The rationale of taking up a major programme for the production of bio-fuels for blending with gasoline and diesel in our country emanates from a variety of factors. First, there is no alternative to the petroleum based fuels i.e., motor spirit or gasoline and High Speed Diesel (HSD) for the transport sector which is the major consumer of petroleum products. Secondly, biofuels are environmentally superior fuels and their use becomes compelling if the prescribed emission norms are to be achieved. Thirdly, there is need to meet the global environmental concern about climate change, ensure energy security, reduce imports, generate employment for the poor and achieve a number of other objectives of the Tenth Plan. |
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| Automotive Engines :- |
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Automobiles use two groups of engines, based on - |
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Constant pressure cycle which in practice is diesel engine and alternatively called compression ignition engine. The fuel for this kind of engine is diesel a major fraction of crude oil distillation. These are used for all our heavy vehicles in railway transport, in tractors etc. |
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Constant volume cycle which in practice is our gas engines and alternatively called spark ignition engine. The fuel for this kind of engine is gasoline cut of the crude oil. These engines are used for all light vehicles like cars, three wheelers and two wheelers. Gasoline gives the advantage of making possible two stroke engines for motor bikes, scooters etc without the need of cumbersome valve mechanism The advantages are in the form of quick start, fast acceleration, no large quantity of carbon emission, particulate matter (PM). Gasoline has high calorific value of 10000 kcal/kg and all the desirable properties for storage, ignition, combustion and handling. The demand for light vehicles continues to grow faster than for heavy vehicles. |
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From environmental aspects, to achieve Bharat II emission standards, there are problems in using petrol and diesel as fuels. There are strong reasons why substitutes should be found and used for motor spirit/gasoline and diesel. |
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