BIODIESEL FROM ACID OIL, A WASTE BY-PRODUCT OF VEGETABLE OIL REFINERIES: AN ECONOMIC RESOURCE FOR BIODIESEL ACTIVITIES

Combating the menace of Global warming has become a challenging task of present times. Biofuels development holds promise as they are considered eco-friendly renewable and widespread. Bioethanol and Biodiesel have been projected as an alternative to Petrol and Diesel. Feedstock availability and production costs are the key drivers toward sustainable and commercial production and implementation of biofuels. Our energy security will remain vulnerable until economic resources are identified and appropriate processes are developed. A strong focus on technology development is imperative for the adaptation of second/third generation of advanced biofuels utilizing domestic feedstocks including agricultural residues/ industrial wastes that otherwise are simply burnt/ thrown out…

Acid oil has been identified as an economic resource as it is readily available in large quantities at most vegetable oil refineries, about 1060 vegetable oil refineries in India process about 25 Million Tons of vegetable oils and generates about 4-4.2 Million Tons of acid oil at their sites which are considered as unwanted and are disposed of at 40-42000 Rs. /ton. As acid oil contains free fatty acids and moisture contents far excess than permissible limits conventional trans-esterification process cannot be employed. A new type of ED3R esterification process developed at the R& D center produces Biodiesel of International specifications. The process is economically viable, simple, and be easily scaled up as per the needs.

ED3R process consists of an esterification unit, methanol recovery enrichment, and recycling unit which are chronologically arranged and operated. Methanol is continuously fed to the esterification vessel and the methanol-water vapor mixture produced is continuously taken out.

The mixture is fed to a recovery unit where methanol is enriched recovered recycled and reused.

At the forefront of this transformative endeavor is GoGreen BioEnergy India Pvt Ltd, the organization responsible for the pioneering development and implementation of the ED3R process. Spearheaded by visionary leaders such as BM Kulkarni and Madhu HN, with Naveen Pawar as the CEO, GoGreen BioEnergy India Pvt Ltd continues to drive innovation and sustainability in the biofuels industry.

As the world seeks cleaner and greener energy solutions, the utilization of acid oil for biodiesel production showcases how waste materials can be transformed into valuable economic resources. By tapping into the potential of acid oil through the ED3R process, India and the global community take a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting energy security, and fostering a sustainable future. As GoGreen BioEnergy India Pvt Ltd leads the charge, their commitment to developing green energy solutions, and social media presence, including Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp Web: https://gogreenbioenergy.com, ensure that their transformative efforts continue to inspire and influence the bioenergy landscape positively.

Country needs increased production of Biofuels

Country needs increased production of Biofuels

Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from molasses, corn, rice, and other agriculture-based feedstocks which can be blended and used in conventional petrol. The country has done well in Ethanol blending in the petrol scheme, which has reduced substantial carbon emissions, which has also helped in reduction of carbon footprints as well as emission of greenhouse gases and saved more than INR 40,000 crores of forex reserve for the country. Usage of Ethanol blended petrol has many environment friendly benefits. Similarly, Biodiesel is an alternative for conventional diesel derived from waste fats and oils and OMCs have floated tenders to blend biodiesel in the diesel.

Vasanth JB, energy sector analyst said that the country needs more biodiesel and ethanol which are sustainable green fuels and can be directly used as an alternative for the conventional diesel and petrol.

All over the world, the sources of traditional energy and fossil fuels are slowly moving towards extinction, so renewable forms of energy are emerging as suitable alternatives. Vasanth JB added that it is very important to bring Ethanol as well as Biodiesel in more circulation to save the environment and to reduce the carbon footprint.

Oil and coal are being heavily used in the energy sector since the Industrial Revolution. The problem is that these fuels are limited and are being depleted at a rapid rate. Adding to this, these fuels derived from fossil fuels tend to contribute to greenhouse gases, which can have detrimental effects on the environment.  Bio-Diesel is an important alternative green energy fuel, because it does not take thousands of years to manufacture but can be produced on a human-controlled scale. Biodiesel can be manufactured from a wide range of organic waste fats and oils, and it is a cost-effective alternative for conventional diesel derived from petroleum. India has launched the ethanol blending program as well as biodiesel blending program which is a great step towards a greener future. Challenge in front of is now, is to scale up the production of biofuels

Vasanth also commented that India’s Ethanol production, as well as blending ratio in petrol, have increased significantly over the years, and this is a boost to the Indian sugar industry as well as the agricultural sector. Sugar industry is benefited because a significant number of Ethanol manufacturers in India use Molasses as the primary feedstock. Increase in production and blending of Ethanol as well as Biodiesel can reduce the country’s dependency on imported crude oil.

Pan Oleo Energy plans IPO by 2025

Pan Oleo Energy plans IPO by 2025

Pan Oleo Energy Limited, one of the key players in the Indian Biofuel ecosystem is likely to float Initial Public Offering (IPO) by mid 2025, a decision which was taken by the company’s board of directors and management, in their top level executive meeting.

Headquartered in Chennai, Pan Oleo Energy has versatile infrastructure and industrial unit capacity to manufacture large volumes of Biodiesel and to cater to the ever growing biofuel demand of the Indian Market. Apart from the Biodiesel production, the company also specializes in production of large scale industrial chemicals, solvents and its own line of FMCG products.

Mr.Vasanth JB, the Chief Operating Officer of Pan Oleo Energy stated that “Our initial plan of action is to ramp up production capacity in our existing units and to rapidly scale up our operations with 7 Biodiesel plants across South India, in order to cater and supply to the growing demand of Biodiesel. We are working towards a goals of reducing the carbon footprints, driving up the renewable energy sector in India and moving the country towards a sustainable and greener future ”

Mr.Vasanth also added that the management board of the company came out with this well planned and strategized IPO decision after rounds of internal discussions, as well as discussions with analysts and consultants. We have shown significant market penetration despite the tough times that the Biodiesel and the Chemical industries have due to the global pandemic and we are forecasting a dramatic growth in our sales by the end of 2022, he announced.

Biodiesel is a clean-burning and renewable fuel generally produced in large quantities from vegetable oil/ fats and animal fats. Biodiesel is utilized on a large scale in many of the industries including transportation, mining, power generation, automotive, railway, marine and so on as an alternative for conventional diesel. Biodiesel is also helping India to diminish the dependency on foreign oil reserves as it is being produced domestically. Biodiesel can also be utilized in diesel engines at any proportions with simple or literally no modifications, according to various official sources. There are rising concerns about greenhouse gas emissions resulting in the use of renewable and clean, greener sources of energy. Hence, biodiesel fuels are rapidly replacing conventional fossil fuels across the globe. The government in many different countries is also backing eco-friendly alternatives such as biodiesel. In India, the government has encouraged the OMCs to procure standard Biodiesel and encouraged blending of Biodiesel in order to reduce dependence on foriegn oil reserves.

Pan Oleo Energy has played a pivotal role in manufacturing and supplying Biodiesel and Industrial chemicals all over South India. Apart from this, sources close to the company have confirmed that the company is planning on diversifying its operations in other verticals and is also planning on entering into the North Indian biofuel market and biofuel export market. The company has also had a rise in supply of industrial chemicals and solvents to the B2B market over the past few years and is planning on ramping up the operations in the Chemical sector.