Nitte, December 21: In America the research in biofuel has already in progress and people started using some percentage of ethanol mixed in diesel in their vehicles, said Dr. Sairam Rudrabhatla, Professor of Environmental Engineering, PennState University, Harrisburg, USA. He was inaugurating international seminar on 'Current Scenario in Bio fuels Technology' at NMAM Institute of Technology, NITTE on Tuesday.
“To produce biofuel in large scale, we need to collaborate countries like India where we get enough raw materials and technology experts in biofuel. In this regard, already records are being built up with this institute by the Pennstate University to work together”, he said.
One of the guests of honour, Y B Ramakrishna, Chairman, Karnataka State Bio fuels Development Board, Bangalore said, now a days the whole world is talking of Biofuel because the present rate at which we consume, natural fuel may last only for another 20-30 years and we need to find some alternate resources. In this regard, research and development is required, focusing on quality material and productive plant and advanced conversion technologies.
Talking regarding the research in biofuel, another guest, Dr. Prakash P Kumar, Professor from National University of Singapore said the research and development leads to deliver better products to society and to substitute fossil fuel, even in Singapore also the research activities are in progress in the area of biofuel.
In his presidential speech, Dr S Y Kulkarni said our institute is in a rural sector and being a rural technical institute, we need to do something with environment and the people around it. In this direction, the biofuel plant will help by producing biofuel which is environmental friendly and the generation of the required oil seeds by planting and the collection of raw materials will improve the economy of the farmers around. He also said if we do not think of an alternate for conventional fuel, a day will come to travel in bullock cart.
Dr.S.S.Rao, Principal Scientist, from Sorghum Research, Hyderabad and vice Principal, Dr.Niranjan N.Chiplunkar were on the dais. Dr.C.Vaman Rao, Head of the department of Biotechnology welcome the gathering and gave the introductory remarks. Ms.Savitha compeered the ceremony and Mr.Sandesh, Lecturer in biotechnology proposed the vote of thanks. More than75 delegates from different institutes and research centres were in the seminar.
Thereafter in a press meet Principal Dr S Y Kulkarni said “already we a have a biofuel plant which is producing 10 litres of biofuel a day from nonedible oil seeds and we are using it for our institute generator. We are planning to upgrade it to 1000litres per day. As it requires advanced technology for large scale production, we are planning to sign MoU with two reputed international Universities namely PennState University, Harrisburg, USA and National University of Singapore. For the purpose of establishing large scale production unit, the institute is ready to invest about 5-6 crores”.
Dr.Prakash P.Kumar, said that in Singapore besides oil seeds people started working on extracting biofuel from the outer layer of the trees, coconut and areca nut leaves and many other biological waste by dissociating the cellulose. Being a Manglorean, I am happy to implement such kind of advanced technology even in my native place, he said.
Dr.Sairam Rudrabhatla said PennState University is excited to work with this institute as it has many technology experts in the related area.
Dr.Seetharam Shettigar, Publicity Chairman was also there in the meet.
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