Dehradun-based Indian Institute of Petroleum has successfully finished a pilot test to convert used cooking oil into bio-aviation turbine fuel (Bio-ATF), which can be blended with conventional ATF and used as aircraft fuel.
About:
The chemical composition of the used cooking oil is identical to other plant-based oils that have been converted to Bio-ATF. The pilot test has proven that it is very similar to Bio-ATF derived from jatropha oil.
The Institute collected used cooking oil from caterers and hotels in Dehradun for the pilot, which has now set the platform for commercial use of the technology. The Bio-ATF derived from used cooking oil is yet to be tested on a flight.
Significance:
Reducing the re-use of cooking oil in the food industry will have positive public health outcomes and its conversion into Bio-ATF will help the aviation sector reduce its carbon footprint.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the civil aviation sector consume about 100 crore litres and 900 crore litres of ATF per annum, suggesting a huge potential market for Bio-ATF.
Repurpose Cooking Oil (RUCO)initiative:
The test assumes importance as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched the Repurpose Cooking Oil (RUCO)initiative to collect and convert used cooking oil into bio-fuel.
As many as 64 companies in 101 locations across the country have been identified for the purpose by FSSAI. By 2020, it should be possible to recover about 220 crore litres of used cooking oil for conversion into bio-fuel.
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