IIT scientists do wonders again. A group of scientists from the IIT, Jodhpur have devised a new way of making Diesel from algae. The IIT scientists have used a host of couple of catalysts for the production process of diesel.
Dr Rakesh Kumar Sharma, head of chemistry department at the IIT said, “We have developed a catalyst using sand, nickel and cobalt to convert algae oil into diesel.”
What is Biofuel?
Biofuel is the fuel which is prepared from natural sources. Biofuel is the future oil for the entire planet.
Oil extracted from algae can be used as diesel after further processing. The oil will be converted into diesel by using sand in Rajasthan.
“What we have developed is low cost because sand is abundant and nickel and cobalt are cheap metals. We have shown at the laboratory level that the cost of bio-diesel produced using this technology will be half the current price of the fuel,” the scientist said.
What is Algae?
Algae is found excessively in waste water and wasteland. It has today become the most powerful source of renewable energy.
What makes this process different from the already existent methods to extract out diesel oil from algae.
Advantage over other countries
A few European countries use rhodim and other precious metals which is responsible for escalalting the cost of processing diesel from algae. This increases the cost of processing.
Funding of the Project
The diesel project taken up by the IIT scientists has been funded by the department of biotechnology at IIT.
Testimonials and appreciation from World over
“We have shown the way forward to low-cost biofuel. Some European companies have shown interest in the technology,” Dr Sharma said.
