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Biofuels for Energy Sustainability: Biodiesel and CBG Show the Way
Growing climate disruptions have taken the world by a storm, quite literally, in the recent years. Apart from this massively rising threat, we are witnessing soaring prices of energy due to the recent geopolitical upheaval caused by the Russia-Ukraine, which has shaken up the world. This is causing nations all across the globe to take a fresh look at their energy policies and future path.
The greatest challenge to treading a path of sustainability in this fast-paced, ever-changing economy is often a lack of due consideration for renewables. Simultaneously, the issues caused by the predominantly used traditional fuels cry out for the need for sources of energy that have a quicker turnaround time, inexhaustible supply, and a greener footprint on the earth.
Nearly three-quarters of all climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions come from the production of energy, primarily the combustion of fossil fuels. This has deeply concerning consequences, as more than 500,000 people die every year from air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels and agro-waste biomass. This use of non-renewable carbon-based fuels is the single most significant cause of global warming.
Therefore, renewable technologies and biodegradable energy sources need to play a far more significant role in the global energy mix.
In comparison, biodiesel has several advantages over diesel:
Biodiesel can be described as a “carbon neutral” energy source, in theory, because when the oil crop grows, it absorbs the CO2 it releases upon combustion. However, in actual practice, biodiesel is still an energy source with low net CO2 emissions, even after considering the intermediate steps. This means that in practical terms biodiesel has a far less net climate impact and is a sustainable fuel for the long term.
The path-breaking invention of biodiesel by Rudolph Diesel in 1890 was a simple yet complex science of using pure vegetable oil in diesel engines for agriculture due to the unavailability of petroleum diesel. This made way for research conducted in Belgium in the 1930s that converted vegetable oils into compounds called fatty acid methyl esters, and thus led to the onset of journey to create modern biodiesel. Biodiesel is a fatty acid esters, which are derived using either methanol or ethanol as the alcohol component in a process called esterification, to produce biodiesel. Thus, triglycerides present in various oils undergo a reaction with methanol to produce Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) or with ethanol to form Fatty Acid Ethyl Ester (FAEE), in the presence of a catalyst (often sodium or potassium hydroxide). Glycerol is the main byproduct of the transesterification process.
If one is looking for a “clean energy source” then biodiesel is a worthy candidate as a replacement for fossil fuel. It helps the environment by cutting down on harmful gases like carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide.
Also, biodiesel has a higher cetane number (an indicator of combustibility) than diesel, making it a better fuel option. Furthermore, its high flash point allows it to be clearly labelled as a safe good, making it much easier and safer to transport than diesel. Biodiesel is made up of high unsaturated fatty acid esters, giving it a thick consistency. Its lubrication reduces wear and tear and improves durability of injection pump, cylinder, and engine connecting rod. Due to its identical combustion performance to diesel, biodiesel can be directly used in standard diesel engines.
Despite modest progress in the spread of biodiesel, efforts have been made to encourage the manufacture of the biodiesel from spent cooking oil, and Letters of Intent (LOIs) have been given in this regard for an estimated 28 TMT of production capacity.
In accordance with the National Policy on Biofuels, BPCL has taken up the blending of 7% biodiesel in HSD at specific places. For the fiscal year 2021–22, BPCL mixed 960 KL of B–7 biodiesel at a 0.005% blending ratio. A total of nine Expressions of Interest (EOIs) with a combined capacity of 138 TPD (tons per day) have been issued by BPCL, which has also begun generating biodiesel from used cooking oil. As of March 2022, four LOIs with a combined production capacity of 85 TPD have been granted.
Another important biofuel pertinent to this discussion is the Compressed Bio Gas (CBG).
To decarbonize transportation, the Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) program has been undertaken by using biomass waste/biomass sources such as agricultural residue, sugarcane press mud, municipal solid waste, and so on as feedstock for producing CBG. For a total anticipated CBG production capacity of 417 TMT per year, BPCL has issued 299 letters of intent.
The biodiesel push and the CBG program offer increased energy independence, lower energy costs, and lower pollution, while also boosting rural economy.
The world is moving decisively towards sustainable energy. As this movement picks momentum, biodiesel and CBG will have an even greater and more decisive role to play in this green shift.
Saurabh Jain, Chief Manager (PR and Brand)