RD&D Thrust areas & Major activities for 11th Plan
1. Bio-energy
It is proposed to take up focused RD&D projects in the area of bio-energy resource identification and biomass conversion to energy through combustion, pyrolysation, atmospheric and high pressure gasification, plasma,bio-methanation and Biogas.
(i) Bio-energy Resource
Resource Atlas for Bio-energy covering crop residues, forest residues, MSW, industrial wastes etc.
(ii) Biomass Conversion
a) Development of MW-scale fluidized bed biomass gasifiers, hot gas clean up system and optimum integration of the system following the principles of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC).
b) Development of poly-generation facilities for the production of liquid fuels, variety of chemicals and hydrogen in addition to power production through IGCC route and establishing the concept of a Bio-refinery.
c) Raising efficiency of atmospheric gasification to 25-30% along with cooling systems, complete tar decomposition and safe disposal of wastes in commercial production.
d) Raising system efficiency of small (upto 1 MW) combustion and turbine technologies to 20% plus.
e) Design and Development of high rate anaerobic co-digestion systems for biogas/ synthetic gas production.
f) Development of gasifier systems based on charcoal / pyrolysed biomass.
g) Design and development of systems for their coupling with Stirling engine and turbines.
h) Development of efficient kilns/ systems for charcoal production/ pyrolysation of biomass
i) Laying down standards for various bio-energy components, products and systems.
(iii) Bio-energy Utilization
a) Design and development of engines, Stirling engine and micro-turbine for biogas/ producer gas/ bio-syngas.
b) Design and development of direct gas fired absorptive chillers, driers, stoves, etc., and improvement in biomass furnaces, boilers etc.
c) Improved design and development of processes/ de-watering device for drying of digested slurry.
d) Improving/ upgrading biogas and syngas quality.
e) Improved design and development of Pelletisation/ Briquetting technology for RDF.
f) Development of driers for MSW and industrial wastes.
g) Design and development of equipment for waste segregation.
2. Bio-Fuels
a) Develop technology for production of ethanol from sweet sorghum and sugar beet.
b) Developed technology for production of ethanol from ligno-cellulosic materials such as rice straw and other agricultural and forestry residues.
c) Study petrol engine performance using more than 10% blend of ethanol with petrol and undertaking engine modifications including emission studies with different levels of ethanol blend with petrol.
d) Study physico-chemical properties of all potential non-edible oils for production of bio-diesel for application in transport, stationary and other applications.
e) Developing efficient chemical/catalyst conversion processes.
f) Development of bio-catalyst and heterogeneous catalyst for production of bio-diesel.
g) Alternate use of bio products.
h) Data generation and production of bio-diesel from all possible feed-stocks.
i) Response of different available additives and their dosages on the bio-diesel.
j) Effect of bio-diesel on corrosion.
k) Stability of bio-diesel.
l) Engine performance and emissions based on different feed-stock based bio-diesels.
m) Toxicological studies and test to check adulteration.
n) Engine modifications for using more than 20% bio-diesel as blend with diesel.
o) Design and development bio-liquid fuel engines for stationery, portable and transport applications.
p) Development of second-generation bio-liquid fuels and related applications.
q) Response of different available additives and their dosages on the bio-diesel.
3. Bio-Gas
i) Studies in the field of micro-biology, bio-chemistry and engineering for increasing the biogas yield by at least a factor of two, especially at low and high temperatures;
ii) Reduction in the capital cost of biogas plants; development of materials and techniques, which are amenable for local level fabrication to reduce the time of installation;
iii) Diversification of feed stocks to utilise alternate biomass wastes along with cattle dung for setting up household biogas plants;
iv) Methods for sustaining biogas production during winter months;
v) Value added products using biogas slurry manure;
vi) Development of biogas micro turbines and engines;
vii) Cleaning and bottling of biogas for ease of transportation and usages;
viii) Local power grids compatible with dual fuel engines and gas engines/turbines;
ix) Corrosion resistant paints and sealants for biogas plant components;
x) Portable biogas lantern;
xi) Incorporation of advanced bio-reactor techniques in institutional biogas plants based on cattle dung for improving efficiency;
xii) Removal of hydrogen sulphide from biogas produced in Night soil based biogas plants;
xiii) Additional treatment methods for effluent from Night soil based biogas plants;
xiv) Field trials, demonstration of new models and products, preparation of standards specifications on design and appliances.
xv) On-site waste water treatment for small and medium communities (500-5000 peoples).
