Will airplanes now fly using the oil left over from frying food, what new technology scientists at MANIT Bhopal have developed?
Bhopal: The edible oil left over from frying puris, pakoras, and samosas will now be used to power airplanes. Scientists at the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) in Bhopal have developed a new technology to convert this waste edible oil into aviation fuel. It is claimed that this technology is more economical and environmentally friendly than the technologies currently available and in use.
Dr. Sumit H Dhavane, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, MANIT, Dr. Ramkishore Anant, Assistant Professor, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, and research scholar Rehan Khan started working on this project two years ago.
MANIT scientists used a special type of catalyst
This was part of research being conducted worldwide to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. To convert used cooking oil into a premium product like aviation fuel, MANIT scientists used a special type of catalyst that breaks down the waste cooking oil into smaller hydrocarbon molecules inside a reactor.
Why is this process considered effective?
During this chemical reaction, the necessary hydrogen is generated and used to make fuel. This makes the entire process self-sufficient. Besides, it also makes this technology simpler and more effective than the currently prevalent hydrocracking process.
Two major benefits
It is said that this has brought two major benefits: first, a significant reduction in production costs, and second, a reduction in dependence on fossil-fuel-based hydrogen, reducing both carbon emissions and environmental damage. This research has been published in an international journal. MANIT has also applied for a patent for its completely indigenous technology. Once the technology is patented, an agreement will be reached on its commercial use.
Even better than the IOC plant
Last year, a major breakthrough was achieved in the field of non-fossil sustainable aviation fuels. Indian Oil Corporation has set up a plant in Panipat that converts waste cooking oil into aviation fuel. MANIT scientists say this is an important step, but their hydrocracking-based process requires external hydrogen, which is obtained from fossil fuels.
This increases carbon emissions, which is bad for the environment. MANIT's new technology allows for in-situ hydrogen production, meaning hydrogen is created during the production process itself.