BIOENERGY RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AT NAST FOR EVIDENCE BASED POLICY

FORMULATION

July25, 2013

Rabindra Prasad Dhakal, Dr. Eng.

Senior Scientist

Bioenergy Laboratory

Faculty of Technology

Nepal Academy of Science and Technology

National Workshop on “Standards and Testing of Cookstoves in Nepal”

Contents

1. NAST Objectives

2. Bioenergy Research activities Brief activities on Bioenergy Possible avenues on bioenergy sectors way forward Challenges

Roles & Responsibilities

Think Tank- Contribute to national development through Science and Technology using its experts.

Innovator- Conduct timely demanded research in science and technology.

Catalyst - Recognize the contribution of the expert and motivate them.

Facilitator- Inspire the young scientists through research fund and grants, formulate the policy on S&T.

Natural Product Chemistry

Environment

OBJECTIVE 1 Active Research in Science and Technology

Biotechnology

Energy EngineeringMaterial Science Information center

Working for the people Working with the people

• Recognition of talents• Research Grants• Support to the professional

societies• Fellowships• Building science awareness

OBJECTIVE 2Recognition of Scientists and Work

OBJECTIVE 3Modernization of Indigenous

Technologies

• Data collection of indigenous technologies• modernization of technology to enhance the energy

efficiencies• formulating the policies for preservation of traditional

entities

Bioenergy

Biomass and Biofuel

Technology

Solar EnergyPhotovoltaic

System

Wind EnergyWind Mapping

OBJECTIVE 4Research on Appropriate Technologies

Wind tower installedin Dang

Solar panel installed in Bode for water pumping

Design and fabrication of ICS

Bioenergy Technology

Biomass Research

Biobriquetting TechnologyClean Cooking solution

Biochar as organic fertilizer

Biofuel Research

BDF from jatropa oil and

waste cooking oil Microalgae

using novel catalysts.

Policy Intervention:

Government is about to formulate the biomass policy excluding the biofuel policy(?)

Technological intervention is sought on

Biobriqette substandard quality

Biochar No initiation at all

ICS Improved CS are to be

improved

biofuel Perform the viability tests to

assure the government

Biofuel Research

Our activities: Biodiesel Fuel (BDF) production from

Jatropha oil, waste cooking oil on dolomite based catalyst for transesterification.

Developing our own reactor system suitable for Nepal aiming to contribute local economy.

Our Aim:o Make prototype refinery producing

100L/dayo Cost and benefit analysis of biodiesel

productiono Establishment of quality testing laboratoryo Help to formulate the policy on Biofuel

Novelties:

Feedstocks: The jatropha could be planted in wide region of the country with minimal input

Catalyst: The homely available catalyst. 5,000 billion tones of dolomite deposition is expected in Nepal.

Processing technology: use of KOH was avoided. Storage problem could be mitigated in great extent.

Jatr

oph

a O

il (

x106

t/y)

Waste Cooking Oil BDF (x104

t/y)

Compensating the petro-diesel import expenditure

Compensating the total petroleum import expenditure

We have envisaged that 1.9M hectare land could be used for jatropha production to produce 3.8 MillionTons Biodiesel to make the fuel exporting country.

Biofuel Potential: Oil Crisis to Oil Exporting Country

Policy:

Basket Fund: 1% Tax on diesel for promotion of jatropha crops.

To avoid food crisis issue: no subsidy or hike the tax for energy cropped land.

Ratio of constituents on current BHB

A plausible example of Ratio of constituents on proposed BHB for improvement

The Materials, BHB, currently available in the Market

The Materials, BHB, expected in looks with technological modified form.

Fig. Plausible Technological Transformation of existing composition and materials.

Biobriquette: dire need of technological Intervention

Benefit of Biochar: think for adoption

Outputs Thermal efficiency Emission Level in real time Total emission of CO, CO2

and PM

Through

Water Boiling Test

Recent shifts on ICS at NAST

Dedicated Equipments at NAST

Ultimate analyzer: CHN/O analyzer

Gas analyzer: Temp., Cox, Nox, PM for vehicles, stoves

Programmable muffle for proximate analysis

Real time testing of efficiency, Cox and PM

S.N TPMS (IS1001)

Time to boil(mins)

Burning Rate (g/min)

Thermal Efficiency

(%)

1 Cold Start 39 32.3 15

2 Hot Start 25 42 17

3 Simmering x 52 12

WBT

S.N Rocket Stove

S(IS1001)

Time to boil(mins)

Burning Rate

(g/min)

Thermal Efficiency

(%)

1 Cold Start 21 16 20

2 Hot Start 17 15 22

3 Simmering x x x

Efficiency Tests of Stoves

Way forward:

For the sustainable development, technological paradigm should be uphold: shouldn’t get confused with technology and devices.

Research and innovation should go together with testing for technological shifts.

The other IAP culprit, the materials, should be simultaneously studied.

Expected Outcome

We could assist on ambitious target of distributing 3 millions ICS in the country.

Quality of ICS could be maintained through involvement of different organizations.

Collaboration of probable institutions to make research and service together.

PEMS at NAST and LEMS at CRT will help to elevate the level of confidence among the scientist and general public about efficiency and emission level of the stoves tested.

Challenges

Chances of possible data manipulation: We need to be cautious,

Manufacturer Vs propublic

Subsidy issues: Uniformity and justifiable

room for sustainability in long run

Globalization may threat local manufacturer: need to be properly address.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR

ATTENTION