2 months ago
1
At a clip erstwhile planetary geopolitical uncertainties proceed to hit Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply, scientists astatine the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Hyderabad, person achieved a breakthrough that could reshape however India thinks astir fuel. LPG cylinders could perchance beryllium replaced by Dimethyl Ether (DME).
Led by researchers Sounak Roy, caput of Research and Innovation astatine BITS Pilani, on with Satyapaul A. Singh and retired prof B.M. Reddy, the improvement is arsenic overmuch astir process innovation arsenic it is astir the outcome.
The innovation demonstrates a technological way to person simulated flue state (a byproduct of combustion from powerfulness plants) into DME, utilizing laboratory-synthesised bifunctional materials with hydrogen state produced via electrolysis of water.
In the laboratory, the squad utilized a high-pressure reactor to support a precocious Gas Hourly Space Velocity (GHSV), mimicking the exhaust watercourse of a powerfulness plant, and screened the catalytic materials for single-step conversion. Reaction parameters specified arsenic temperature, pressure, and provender ratio were besides optimised to execute a precocious DME-to-methanol ratio.
Researchers accidental that DME burns cleanly, emits acold less pollutants specified arsenic soot and sulfur oxides compared to accepted LPG, and offers akin thermal efficiency. Additionally, arsenic an alternate substance aimed astatine reducing India’s dependence connected imported LPG, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) successful precocious 2024 established standards for blending up to 20% DME with LPG to make a cleaner and much cost-effective cooking fuel.
These scientists besides said that the process ensures superior CO₂ conversion and single-step DME production, integrated CO₂ seizure from powerfulness works flue gas, and economical and concern worth instauration by producing and utilizing hydrogen derived from renewable energy.
The three-year project, which commenced successful 2022 with an outlay of astir ₹44.69 lakh, was supported by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
