Gadkari says trials of 15% isobutanol blend in diesel are succeeding

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that trials of blending 15 per cent isobutanol with diesel are progressing successfully in the country. He gave the information at a KPMG event, where he laid particular stress on the "waste to wealth" formula.

The claim that blending ethanol in petrol damages vehicle engines has now been put to rest. The Centre has since also taken an important decision on vehicles that run on 100 per cent ethanol. It was in this context that Gadkari announced the diesel trials.

Ethanol is made mainly from broken rice, sugarcane, maize and bamboo, and it brings farmers a direct and substantial financial benefit. Isobutanol can now be produced from sugarcane juice along with ethanol. Diesel vehicle owners are therefore set to get major relief.

According to Gadkari, engines that run on isobutanol have also begun to be made in the country. He said it would prove a good and economical option for diesel users.

He also spoke about aviation fuel. Blending 2 per cent ethanol in aircraft bio-fuel is being discussed across the world, and successful trials are under way in 18 countries.

To deal with the problem of the pollutant carbon dioxide (CO2), Gadkari referred to a new technology. He said a technology to make urea by combining carbon dioxide with hydrogen has been developed. It could save the country the Rs 5.5 to 6 lakh crore it spends on urea imports every year. NTPC has issued a tender for its commercial use.

Dimethyl ether (DME) can also be made from a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Gadkari said that in the United States, 40 per cent DME is blended into LPG. If India adopts the technology, its dependence on LPG imports will fall considerably.

Gadkari said the Centre intends in the long run to save the lakhs of crores of rupees spent on importing petrol, diesel and LPG. It also wants to promote green fuel and bio-fuel in the country.