Tamil Nadu - Thanjavur   

Here's the next bio-diesel from rice bran oil

By G. Srinivasan

THANJAVUR, OCT. 5. The Central Leather Research Institute, (CLRI), Chennai, has taken up a chemical engineering pilot plan for producing 12,000 litres of bio-diesel from rice bran oil, K.C. Velappan, Scientist, Department of Chemical Engineering told The Hindu here today.

The CLRI, under the leadership of T. Ramaswamy, Director, in its research found that bio-diesel produced from rice-bran oil, unlike fuel produced from other sources, was pollution-free and environment-friendly.

Exhaust emission tests showed that emission of smoke is fifty per cent less, carbon monoxide 68 per cent less, carbon dioxide 1.7 per cent lesser and nitrogen oxide 18 per cent less compared to other fuels.

Mr. Velappan said that in Tamil Nadu paddy is cultivated on 2.2 million hectares and at present 80,864 tonnes of rice bran oil is produced.

In Thanjavur district alone paddy is cultivated on 0.19 million hectares and 7,280 tonnes of rice bran oil is produced.

`Two plants feasible'

"If the oil produced in Thanjavur alone is taken into consideration, two bio-diesel plants with a production capacity of 10,000 litres per day could be established here.

Plans are there to put up bio-diesel production units in Thanjavur by the Government," he said. In Tamil Nadu 22 such plant with 10,000 litres production capacity could be established.

Mr. Velappan said if rice mill owners come forward, the CLRI could train them in rice bran oil extraction and bio-diesel production.

The Union Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources is funding for conducting on-road trials using bio-diesel. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation has come froward to provide buses for conducting the trials.

Several engineering colleges such as the Satyabhama Engineering College at Chennai have come forward to run their college buses using bio-diesel, Mr. Velappan said.

The CLRI has conducted molecular tests on the bio-diesel. With respect to engine efficiency, this fuel had shown mechanical, thermal, brake thermal efficiency.

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