Blended Biodiesel

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

As part of efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking to fly an AN-32 transport aircraft modified to operate on 10% blended biodiesel for 200 flight hours in the next six months.

• The global aviation industry, both civil and military, is one of the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases which cause global warming. 
• It is imperative that the industry finds ways to reduce its carbon footprint for global efforts to achieve ‘net zero emissions’ to be successful. 
• The annual fuel consumption of the IAF for 2021-22 was 6.2 lakh kilo litres, which contributed around 15 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide.
• On the civil aviation front, an official from aircraft manufacturer Airbus said it had plans to offer 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) compatibility on its commercial aircraft latest by 2030. The aircraft took flight on biodiesel blended with aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for the first time in December 2018.
• So far, an AN-32 has flown 65 hours with a 10% blend of biofuel and the performance has been very satisfactory.
• A second aircraft, a Dornier, was now undergoing ground tests after it had been cleared by the original manufacturer of the engine, Honeywell, for use of 50% biofuel.

The biofuel was extracted from Jatropha plant seeds using a technology patented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun.

About Ethanol

• Ethanol is one of the principal biofuels. It is naturally produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts or via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration. 
• Ethanol has medical applications as an antiseptic and disinfectant. 
• It is used as a chemical solvent and in the synthesis of organic compounds, apart from being an alternative fuel source.

Ethanol Blended Petrol programme 

• It was launched in 2003 on a pilot basis and has been subsequently extended to 21 states and 4 Union Territories.
• The programme sought to promote the use of alternative and environment friendly fuels and to reduce import dependency for energy requirements.
• The government has been notifying the administered price of ethanol since 2014.
• India has set a target of 10 percent ethanol blending in petrol by 2022.