Bio Diesel

I was amazed when I first heard that diesel can be produced from plant seeds. Somehow my maturity level has increased after monitoring bio-diesel experiments. But still many people are not aware about bio-diesel preparation and its other benefits to the society.

Bio-diesel is an oil extracted from plant seeds to run diesel engines. It can entirely or with mixture with diesel work as a fuel. As per 2002 statistics, India imported around 90000 crores worth petroleum products. If India can produce bio-diesel for its sufficiency, It can approximately save 7000 crores annually.

Though bio-diesel can be extracted by various means (like soyabeans / sunflower), Jatropha seeds play a significant role in biodiesel preparation. Jatropha plantation and maintanence are very simple. The major advantage of Jatropha is, it can be planted in dry lands or wastelands where water availability is very less. Once in fifteen days watering is enough for these plants to grow. It doesn't maintanence after two years of plantation. India has vast amount of waste lands not fit for afforestation. These lands shall be used for Jatropha cultivation. Jatropha seeds give 60% glycerol as byproduct during its oil extraction. Glycerol is essential for soap manufacturing.

It has been experimented in India for last two to three years and industries are geared up towards bio-diesel engines to make it available to layman soon. All train engines of Indian railways are using bio-diesel as its fuel!