Biodiesel EVEN BETTER

A new analysis shows that the energy balance of biodiesel is a positive ratio of 3.5-to-1. For every unit of fossil energy needed to produce the fuel over its life cycle, the return is 3.5 units of energy, according to new research conducted at the University of Idaho in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The announcement of the increase up from 3.2 was made today at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Orlando.

The Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and USDA had produced the first comprehensive life cycle inventory for biodiesel in 1998. That landmark research found a 3.2 energy balance for biodiesel, while petroleum diesel yielded 0.83 units of energy per unit of fossil energy consumed. The many changes that have occurred in the U.S. biodiesel and agricultural industries since the 1990s prompted researchers at the University of Idaho to update the study in cooperation with the USDA. Both the 1998 and 2007 study are based on biodiesel production from soybeans, which according to U.S. Census data is responsible for more than 80 percent of 2007 estimated biodiesel production. Biodiesels energy balance improved in the 2007 study even though the new analysis is more comprehensive than previous work, and even extends to the energy required to manufacture the farm machinery used to produce soybeans.

"The bottom line is that the energy balance of biodiesel has definitely improved in the last decade," says University of Idaho Department Head of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Jon Van Gerpen. "The increase in soybean yields and a decrease in herbicide use greatly contributed to the increased energy balance. Meanwhile, energy used for crushing soybeans is significantly lower than what was reported in the NREL study.

Some More Interesting facts

The biodiesel has many positive attributes and they are being summarized as:

i. It is plant-derived, not petroleum-derived, and as such its combustion eliminates life cycle carbon-dioxide emissions, a “greenhouse” gas since carbon dioxide emitted during combustion is recycled in the photosynthesis process occurring in the plants used as raw materials for biodiesel production.

ii. It can be domestically produced, offering the possibility of reducing petroleum imports.

iii. The higher Cetane number of biodiesel compared to fossil diesel indicates the potential for higher engine performance.

iv. It is biodegradable

v. Relative to conventional diesel fuel, biodiesel reduces emission of particulate matter by 40%, unburned hydrocarbons by 68%, carbon monoxide by 44%, sulphates by 100%, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) by 80%, and carcinogenic nitrated PAHs by 90%, on average. The use of biodiesel complements the working of the catalyst or and can help a current Euro-I vehicles attain the Euro-III standards, thus significantly reducing the environmental pollution.

vi. The superior lubricating property of biodiesel increases the engine efficiency.

vii. The higher flash point of biodiesel makes it safe to store.

viii. The biodiesel molecules are simple hydrocarbon chains, containing no sulphur which is concern in crude oil derived petroleum products.

ix. Biodiesel contains higher amount of oxygen (up to 10%), which ensures complete combustion of hydrocarbons.

x. Use of biodiesel will lead to increased energy independence as well as increased economic activity from fuel production and utilization.

xi. Generation of new employment opportunities in cultivation, processing and production of biodiesel.

xii. Addition to the renewable energy options for decentralized distributed generation (DDG) of electricity and for motive power applications (water pumping, milling, etc.) in energy deficient rural India

xiii. Greening of wastelands and regeneration of degraded forest-lands, thereby helping in eco restoration and preventing further land degradation

xiv. Empowerment of village community through enhanced livelihood opportunities

Focusing attention on research and development of alternate fuels.,!

India’s petroleum situation in the past several years has led to focusing attention on research and development of alternate fuels. Use of fossil fuels at a much more rapid rate than can be sustained by nature has led to degradation of environment and fast depletion in their reserves. There is strong environmental pressure to eliminate or at least greatly reduce these emissions on one hand and substitution of petroleum fuels to control the burgeoning import bill on other. Serious research is underway in India to search for renewable, environmentally friendly alternative sources of energy. Biodiesel which is produced by transesterification of triglycerides with methanol has become increasingly important for a country like India. The major benefit of biodiesel production is that there is no need to follow the uni-focal approach of concentrating and utilizing the same vegetable oil in each and every corner of the globe. Each country or region can proceed in the production/utilization of particular oil, depending upon the climate and economy. In developed countries, most of the biodiesel are produced from variety of edible oil like soybean oil, rapeseed oil, canola oil or sunflower oil. However demand of edible oil being higher than its domestic production, there is no possibility of diverting this oil for production of biodiesel in India.

There are many plant species such as Jatropha curcas (Ratan Jyot), Pongamia pinnata (Karanja), Mesua ferrea (Nahar) etc. which bear seeds rich in oil. Around 450 such species are found in our country, but Jatropha and Karanja and Nahar are the three species which are abundantly found in NE region of India. North eastern part of India has a great potential of producing biodiesel from these species. Utilization of biodiesel in diesel engine and farm machinery has enormous potential for rural development in terms of employment opportunity for youth and infrastructure development in NE region. The by-product of the oil extraction from seeds and biodiesel production process could also be utilized for organic fertilizer, biogas production and for soap making.

In India, biodiesel production from variety of non edible oils have been pursued by many organization and the demonstration phase of national mission on bio-diesel has already been launched on April 28, 2006 by Ministry of Rural Development at New Delhi. During this phase the promotion of Jatropha cultivation and setting up demonstration oil extraction and transesterification facilities shall be taken up along with dissemination of information.

Why Jatropha?

Jatropha Curcas is resistant to drought and can be planted even in the desert climates, and it thrives on any type of soil, grows almost anywhere; in sandy, gravelly and saline soils. Jatropha needs minimal input or management. Jatropha has no inspect pests it is not browsed by cattle or sheep. Jatropha Curcas can survive long periods of drought. Jatropha Propagation is easy. Jatropha Curcas growth is rapid; forms a thick live hedge after only a month's planting. Jatropha Curcas starts yielding from the second year onwards and continues for 40 years.

The Meal after extraction an excellent organic manure (38%Protien N:P:K ration 2.7:1.2:1). Jatropha Curcas quickly establishes itself and will produce seeds round the year if irrigated. Other than extracting Bio diesel from Jatropha Curcas plant, the leaf and the bark are used for various other industrial and pharmaceutical uses. Localized production and availability of quality fuel restoration of degraded land over a period of time.

Approximately 31 to 37 % of oil extracted from the Jatropha Curcas seed. It can be used for any diesel engine without modification.