Bio diesel, ethanol pilot plant in State soon

Bio-fuel will be extracted from sardines, ethanol from cashew apple and coffee pulp, says Bio-fuel development board chief

 Karnataka State Bio Fuel Development Board Executive Chairman Y B Ramakrishna has said that a pilot plant to extract bio diesel from sardine fish oil will be set up in Karnataka. There is a technology to extract bio diesel from sardine fish oil after separating Omega 3 fatty acid from it, in Germany.

Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of a programme organised to inaugurate bio fuel information and, demonstration centre, at NITK in Surathkal on Saturday, he said that a design for the plant with the technology to extract omega 3 fatty acid is ready in Pune.
“We export 20,000 tonnes of sardine fish oil from Karnataka. In Germany, after importing the oil from India, they extract Omega 3 fatty acid and then convert the oil into bio diesel. We did not have any technology to extract Omega 3 fatty acids in India from sardine fish oil so far.”

Similarly, ethanol can be produced from cashew apple and coffee pulp. A pilot plant will set up to produce ethanol too.

“We need to get clearance from Excise department to set up the plant to produce ethanol. All the hurdles will be overcome before setting up the plant,” he added.
Ethanol could be used as a source of energy and Karnataka was third leading producer of ethanol in the country, producing about 135 million litres in a year. This will be increased to 200 million litres in the coming days, he added.

The Board has set up 32 bio fuel information and demonstration centres in Karnataka so far. The centre will also be set up in Chikmagalur in the next 15 to 20 days.

To encourage students to come up with projects on bio fuel, the Board has been supporting with student project programmes. In 2012, engineering college students have prepared 32 projects related to bio fuel. This includes 23 projects prepared by undergradutes. In 2013, the Board will support 100 projects of engineering students as well science post graduation students.

The Board has envisaged ‘Baradu Bangara’ scheme to provide impetus to the bio fuel plantations. Accordingly, 75,000 hectare institutional land and government waste land has been covered so far, he added.