As much as we love cars and the pleasure involved in driving them and feeling the thrill of owning one, let’s take some time off to think about pollution, mother earth and the future. No automobile enthusiast wants to hear these dreaded words. But lets face it (not like we have a choice), the number of vehicles on the road has quadrupled over the past 25 years and we are not doing anything to counter the disastrous effects of fossil fuel emissions. Or are we?
Okay, even though you might agree with what is happening around, in terms of global warming and never before seen climatic conditions, not many actually care about the environment. We all have to be honest here and even though mindsets are changing and awareness is being spread, large-scale changes and results are a far cry. Awareness is slowly taking shape, which is excellent. Ozone layers and climatic changes are in conversation circles. Wow! Sadly this is not enough though. The rate of progress in terms of awareness, enlightenment, change and results is not even in the same speed lane as the level of depreciation of atmospheric and habitable living conditions. I can paste pictures of the holes in the ozone layer, UV ray affected people, surreal climates and temperature fluctuations and the works. But is it going to make you walk to work, or pedal to the nearest store or carpool? No its not. Maybe a few but that’s not enough. Those few will do a lot of good to the environment. Bless them all!
Realistically, we are not going to cycle to work or carpool. The car crazy people are on the rise and so is the pocket size. Multiple cars! Fuel-sucking and insanely low mileage SUVs and sports cars! Did I mention the most dreaded words for a car enthusiast? Let me correct that, the phrase would be – no more fuel! What do we do now? Cycle, walk anyone? Did I hear anyone say electric or hybrid? Hybrid would no longer apply, as there is no more fuel. Electric is all right but battery powered cars are for remote controlled vehicles that would thrill the common 7 year old to bits (his first taste of car power) or for the blessed environmentalists that we spoke about earlier!
Enter Bio-Diesel. Okay, I agree not very grand an entry. Everyone has heard about it! But have you heard of Jatropha curcus? This magic green house produce bears seeds that yields diesel when crushed. The process is much more laborious than summarized in the previous sentence. But is it not music to the ears to the car freak! Trust me; this is not some gardening experiment in my backyard. It has been huge success in Europe and all the big car players (Daimler-Chrysler included) are dwelling into it and investing in it. Never before imagined situation of a plant generating driving force for a car! India is doing a great deal in getting this idea up and running. And up and running it is with the help of SRIPHL – Society for Rural Initiatives for Promotion of Herbals, which is based in Churu, Rajasthan – are the countrywide and brace yourself, worldwide promoter of jatropha! They have successfully designed, developed and implemented a process for the growth of Jatropha curcus. It’s based on the ‘Soil to Oil’ program being promoted by the government. This is a non-profit, non-government initiative brought about by a group of forward thinking botanists, scientists, farmers and agriculturists. Many such initiatives have recently cropped up in South India as well. The reason for such rapid strides lies in the personality of the plant itself. It does not need super fertile or rich soil nor does it need lot of moisture. It is categorized as a perennial drought-resistant small tree or shrub. The seeds yield up to 35% of oil, which can be used as diesel fuel without any refining.
The smoke-free oil has been tested and its combustibility is same as that of normal diesel fuel. This might be the answer for all the fuel needs!
Right now the Bio-Diesel is indicated as ‘Bxx’, where ‘xx’ indicates the percentage of Bio-Diesel mixed in the fuel. Thus as research and development is taking its course, this fuel is currently mixed with standard diesel. So if you notice B20, or B40, this indicates 20% and 40% of Bio-Diesel in the sample. We are successfully heading towards a stage where it would B100! Most importantly unlike other fuels there is little or no change required for the moving parts of the car! It completely fits the bill as a substitute. 31% to 37% of oil can be extracted from a single Jatropha seed. Startling!
Even though all this seems progressive, revolutionary, practical and realistic, all at the same time, human factors are hampering its journey. We are all well aware of the huge moneys involve in crude oil production and the export-import business. Prices per barrel have skyrocketed and so have the demands. Clearly, whenever large currencies and powerful nations are involved, alternative methods devised to combat such hindrances are always put on the back burner and neglected. But with this back burner status comes a drive and knowledge, which cannot be ignored. The European market is budding with Bio-Diesel expansion and propagation. If the idea could be propagated a little more westwards, things could take better shape. Asia (Philippines in particular) is also taking huge strides forward. Of course, India with its diverse and strong Agri-Chain knowledge can add a lot of value to this industry as a whole. Everything seems to be going from fiction to non-fiction, movies to reality and concepts to retail sales. Bio-Diesel is not far behind. With patience comes sustenance and strength.
If you still not convinced about this concept, kindly consider what Rudolf Diesel himself said in 1912 - “The use of plant oil as fuel may seem insignificant today. But such products can in time become just as important as kerosene and these coal-tar-products of today.â€
