Page 178 - CW E-Magazine (16-7-2024)

Special Report

oiled biomass; and Table 5: Factors to be considered for project location
 Use of methane gas for the pro- Factor Characteristics
duction of power in captive power Land Coastal area/marshy land/waste land.
plant.
Climate Air temperature affects the water temperature, which should range
Suggested targets for the country between 20-35°C, depending on algae species, for optimal growth.
One million acre for algae cultiva- Input Availability of carbon dioxide from nearby source.
tion in wastelands in different location Economic Preferably rural/low populated area where integrated complex can
in India. Minimum size of individual criteria be set up including cultivation, production and power generation.
algae farm in one location: 1,000-acres.
Table 6: National need for algae project
Input details Parameter Status
Requirement of CO = 126,000-tonnes. Indian imports of crude oil Around 80% national requirement
2
Alcohol (methanol/ethanol) for trans- Indian imports of natural gas Around 50% national requirement
esterifi cation process = 1,050-tonnes. Domestic growth in demand for crude oil 6-7% per annum
Caustic soda (catalyst for transesterifi - and natural gas
cation process) = 338-tonnes.
Indian production of crude oil/natural gas Stagnant
Output details (per annum) Search for alternate source of fuel from Matter of high priority
Algae biomass = 70,000-tonnes. domestic sources
Algae oil/algae biofuel = 20,000-tonnes. nately, algae biofuel can be directly Technology source
Deoiled algae biomass = 50,000-tonnes. sold in the market. As of now, indigenous technology
Glycerine = 2,000-tonnes (taking 10% for the cultivation of algae or extrac-
yield of glycerine per weight of biofuel Methane can be used for power tion of algae bio-oil are not adequate or
produced). generation in captive power plant of capa- proven in commercial scale in India. To
Methane = 7 million m . city 4-MW. The power so produced avoid loss of time, feasibility of acquir-
3
Power generation capacity = 4 MW. can be distributed to the nearby region ing technology from abroad and enter-
depending on the policy of the govern- ing into technical collaboration with
Estimated project cost for an inte- ment. credible international organisations
grated facility based on 1,000-acres = working in the area should be explored.
Rs.150 crore. The remaining algae biomass can
be raw material for the production of Further, India has to take urgent
Product outlets derivative products such as bioethanol steps to develop and optimize the tech-
Algae biofuel can be sold to oil and nutrients, or used as agricultural nology based on Indian conditions. It is
companies for mixing with diesel. Alter- input, or as fuel. a matter of utmost importance.

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178 Chemical Weekly July 16, 2024

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