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New Delhi, Jun 15: The automobile giant Daimler has estimated that the cost of bio-fuel production from Jatropha Curcus at Rs 30,000 per hectare, without involving any element of subsidy. It has tested the use of 100% bio-fuel in trial runs of 5,900 km across the country, including high altitudes in the Mercedes-Benz C Class C 220 CDI.
According to a project agreement signed with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Daimler initiated Jatropha Curcus plantation in 10-hectare land in Bhavnagar in Gujarat and in 20-hectare land near Gopalpur in Orissa. Along with Daimler, the project partners were the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, MB India, Hohenheim University, and DAG (R&D). Speaking to FE, the head of corporate affairs of Mercedes-Benz India, Subhas Kadlaskar said, "The entire cost of bio-fuel production from farming to transesterification of Jatropha oil to bio-fuel would work out to Rs 30,000 per hectare. We had cultivated Jatropha on eroded soils."
He said Jatropha can grow on poor degraded soils and ensure a reasonable production of seeds with very little inputs. Time taken for nut yield is between two to five years based on soil and rainfall conditions. The seed kernels contain about 60% oil. Jatropha plantation can give results for 30 years. Another plant that closely demonstrates similar aspects is Pongamia.
According to the field trials, the seed yield was 2 to 3.2 tonne per hectare. It can be raised to 4 tonne per hectare, said Kadlaskar. He did not deny that Jatropha causes soil acidity and pest problems. In some cases nutrient consumption may be more. The oil cake after treatment can be used as an organic fertiliser
The trial run with 100% bio-fuel showed complete consumption, low particulate emissions, complete engine performance, comparable mileage. It met the Euro III emission standard. Though hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions were comparable to that of fossil diesel, carbon monoxide emissionswere observed to increase. Storage stability of the bio-diesel needs further study. Power loss was observed at high altitude (Khardung La in Ladakh 18380 ft) which was due to scarcity of oxygen.
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