IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation Ltd) aims to produce LPG from biomass
IOCL is in process of developing LPG from biomass and it will bear fruit in another two to three years.
According to S S V Ramkumar (Director, Research & Development) at Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), IOCL is aiming to ensure that at least 10 % of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) to be produced from biomass, if put in use, this would be cost-effective, adding that IOCL research has shown that LPG can be produced from sources such as biomass, vegetable oil, and glycerol. This would be done with a decision taken by the World LPG Association to have at least 50 % of LPG from biomass, including vegetable waste, by 2040.
While addressing the inauguration of the two-day national LPG Conclave 28th February 2020. S S V Ramkumar added that Indian Oil is in the process of developing LPG from biomass to provide efficient energy, and it will bear positive result in another two to three years. The company wants at least 10-20 % of LPG gas consumption in the country should be from renewable sources in three years.
To scale up the production, IOCL is working on this technology, where biomass can be converted into LPG. The technology to convert vegetable oil, glycerol, or even biomass into LPG is already present but yet to mature.
The potential for LPG being used in commercial and industrial purposes was also discussed. CNG (compressed natural gas) is autogas in the country, which is slightly more efficient than LPG. Promoting LPG as an auto fuel has high potential. The organization has developed a technology to extract auto LPG directly from fossil fuels.
LPG produces less NOX and methane, which makes it a cleaner form of energy. CNG may give 1KM more mileage than LPG per kilogram, but it gives more NOX and methane slip emissions, which are polluting.
According to S N Pandey Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd managing director in his address highlighted that the need and demand for the kerosene had come down due to the availability of alternate fuels, and would not be in use after 2040.
Earlier, addressing the conference, Ram Kumar said the demand for cooking LPG had reached a saturation-level in the nation, and there was the need to find out the areas where the LPG can be utilized, like in autos.
According to SN Pandey, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd, managing director, the demand for kerosene had decreased due to the availability of alternate fuels that produces have less environmental effect. Kerosene would not be in use after 2040.
According to Ratnagiri Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd Chairman B Ashok, there are opportunities in expanding the LPG area, a sector which was growing by 3-4%.
