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Biodiesel

Renewable & eco-friendly substitute for petro-diesel fuel

Biodiesel is a renewable, environment-friendly substitute for petro-diesel fuel. It is derived from the Jatropha Curcas plant, a hardy, wild oilseed perennial plant. 

This plant's cultivation conditions last are favorable in Pakistan, and the biodiesel derived can reap benefits in the form of economic, environmental, mechanical, and national security.

PSO focuses on using this plant as feedstock and utilizing the country’s marginal land for cultivation. This would create employment opportunities and contribute to the nation's development.

In addition, as a focal member of the AEDB Biodiesel Advisory Committee, PSO believes biofuels will contribute to road transportation and power generation fuels. This will lead to a reduction in carbon emissions.

What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a renewable, environment-friendly substitute for petro-diesel fuel. It is produced from edible and non-edible oils and animal fats. Usually, biodiesel blends can be used in diesel engines without any alteration.

Sources of Biodiesel

Edible Oil Sources

  • Sunflower
  • Soybean (USA)
  • Corn
  • Rapeseed

Non-Edible Oil Sources

  • Pongamia (Sukh Chein)
  • Jojoba
  • Castro
  • Jatropha

PSO’s Initiative

PSO’s ultimate goal is to blend 10% of the country’s total petro-diesel consumption (8 million tonnes) with Biodiesel, in line with GOP’s directives. As a result, “10 % of Pakistan's diesel and furnace oil (i.e., 0.8 million tons of diesel and 0.72 million tons of Furnace Oil) is switched to Biodiesel. To achieve this target, land requirement will be 1.06 Million Acres.”

PSO’s Focus

  • Utilization of the country’s ample marginal/barren land
  • Avoidance of competition with food crops
  • Use of non-edible plant seeds as feedstock
  • Selecting plants that need less water
  • Utilize organic fertilizers & minimize the usage of chemicals

Jatropha Curcas

A potential source of Biodiesel. PSO has selected Jatropha Curcas as a prospective plant candidate for bio-diesel because of its unique characteristics

Why Jatropha Curcas?

PSO has selected Jatropha Curcas as a prospective plant candidate for biodiesel because of its unique characteristics

  • Non-edible.
  • Easy to establish, grows relatively quickly, and requires less water.
  • The seed contains 32-35 % Oil.
  • Being rich in nitrogen, the seed cake is an excellent source of organic manure.
  • Various parts of the plant have medicinal value.
  • It can withstand poor soil quality, sustain an arid environment and grow in saline conditions.
  • It can withstand severe heat. Likes heating and does well in warmer areas.
  • Require less water to grow.
  • Like all trees, Jatropha removes carbon from the atmosphere, stores it in the woody tissues, and assists in the build-up of soil carbon. It is thus environment friendly. Some sources have found that a Jatropha tree absorbs 8 kg of CO2 yearly.
  • It has the desired physio-chemical and performance characteristic comparable to petrodiesel. In addition, Jatropha oil has a higher cetane number (51) than other oils, which is equivalent to diesel (46 to 50), makes it an ideal alternative fuel, and requires no modification in the engine up to a specific mix ratio.

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