Proposal to set up a bio-refinery in Imphal has been approved by Manipur government, and chief minister N. Biren Singh is quite optimistic with the new initiative.
The Imphal Bio-Refinery Pvt. Ltd. (IBRPL) is being established in PPP mode – by private promoters with support from the state government of Manipur.
IBRPL, in phase 1, will produce 6 tonnes of Bio-CNG and 38 tonnes of organic manure per day. And the bio-refinery is expected to start production by March 2024.
Manipur is rich in bio-waste in rural area as well as urban areas; a huge amount of energy can be harnessed from organic wastes that are biodegradable like paddy straw, cattle dung, food waste, agricultural waste, waste from trees, dry leaves and green leaves.
The role of biogas in development of rural India as an alternate fuel is important primarily for carbon footprint reduction and climatic conditions.
The overall cost saving by replacing conventional fuel with indigenous fuel has been evaluated to highlight the importance of bio-degradable waste utilization and management of domestic waste with carbon footprint reduction.
Like other sources of renewable energy, solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, biogas, the present focus in global energy scenario is to bring upon the awareness and importance of Bio Compressed Natural Gas (Bio-CNG), which is more refined form of biogas and contributes cleaner and greener environment.
To make India developed country, present state of Rural India should be changed. This can be done by increasing energy supply consumption (per capita).
The main focus of the project is to bring Bio-CNG fuel as the main source of energy for Rural India, as it would be cost effective and easily available.
Biogas is one of the best alternative renewable energy sources in India. To enhance the quality of biogas in respect to calorific value, it is being compressed, after removing carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and moisture with reduced carbon footprint.
Bio-CNG is a clean, low carbon technology for efficient management and conversion of fermentable organic wastes into clean cheap and versatile fuel and organic manure.
Potential of Bio-CNG is not being utilized and commercialized so far, which could provide three-in-one solution of gaseous fuel generation like fuel gas and electricity, proper bio-degradable waste management and organic manure production for the development of Manipur.
By replacing conventional fuel with Bio-CNG, there would be reduction about 75% in carbon monoxide, 60% in organic gas, 85% in nitrogen oxides and 20% in carbon oxide.
Vickramjeet Maitei is Chairman of Imphal Bio Refinery Pvt. Ltd, Manipur. A Mechanical Engineer with nearly 30 years of experience in Oil & Gas industry in India and aboard (Qatar, UAE, Algeria, Iraq and Russia).
