"The technology is a process for converting algae and other biomass into liquid fuels similar to petroleum diesel which is better than the bio-diesels in quality and characteristics. The technology is a pyro-catalysis process," said T Raghavendra Rao, director of Sustainable Technologies and Environmental Projects.
"Originally the hydrocarbon oils have been formed over a few million years from algae under the layers of the earth. Now, we are attempting to replicate the natural process using a catalytic process in a much quicker way," Rao told PTI.
The innovation was recently conferred the gold medal at the Innovators' Award established by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin Corporation under its India innovation growth programme.
The new process, according to Rao, is not cumbersome as the conventional one besides it yields more fuel that before. In this method the algae is vapourised in a particular temperature, which is then passed through a catalyst conversion chamber, putting them into a molecular structure that is similar to hydrocarbon fuels.
Through condensation, the vapours become liquid fuel, which is then taken into a distillation column. After undergoing various fractions of middle distillates and diesel fuels, the lighter fuels are separated.
"The liquid fuel will be a mixture of lighter and middle distillate level oils. As the fuel is similar to hydrocarbon fuels, no additives are required and the oil can be used as a direct fuel in stationary engines. It is a much lighter fuel than those produced from oilseeds and thus can be used even in airlines," Rao said.
He rued that although a few Indian organisations have shown their interest in using bio-fuel in past, none have actually pursued it.
The technology minimises use of heterogeneous catalyst like that in the conventional one, he said, adding bio-diesel from this process can be used as a blend to the regular diesel and cannot be used directly as a fuel in engines.
Moreover, due to high viscosity and high pour point, these conventional oils require additives to be added to control various parameters.
Affirming that algae has a potential to become a substantial alternative for petroleum fuel and counter global rise in oil prices, he said "Algae is being projected worldwide as a major source of fuel and even airlines will be using algae-derived fuels in the very near future."
"Algae grows abundantly everywhere and gives the highest yield of oil per hectare compared to other bio-materials like oil seeds of jathropha, sun flower and soy etc," Rao said.
"The process is eco-friendly. There are no emissions from the process. No chemicals are used and hence residual compounds of chemicals are not formed in the process. Even the catalysts used are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. There are no atmospheric emissions as the process is a closed loop process," he said.
The aquatic weed is also source of revenue for many, besides being air purifier.
"Algae does not compete with food security and hence can be grown in areas which are not under cultivation of food grains. It has the capacity to absorb a high quantity of carbon dioxide from the air and hence can be used as an air purifier.
"Thus stagnant and shallow waters, sewage and others can be used to grow algae. Algae can also create employment in rural areas as farmers can take up algae cultivation in areas which are not under cultivation otherwise," Rao said.