IIT-KGP researchers develop new technology to manufacture bio-fuel

Kolkata: Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have developed a new technology which will change the way bio-fuel is manufactured by making the process cheaper, quicker and pollution-free.

The 'soil-to-soil' manufacturing technology developed at the P K Sinha Centre for bio-energy at IIT-KGP is in the process of being patented, an IIT-KGP spokesperson said today.

"2g bioethanol can be produced from various naturally available ligno-cellulosic components. But to do so it needs to be treated chemically. Because of chemical treatment the process contributes to polluting the environment," Professor of Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Dr Rintu Banerjee said.

Lignocellulose refers to plant dry matter (biomass).

"We have replaced this chemical treatment with enzymes which degrade the lignin specifically there by making the manufacturing process pollution free," Banerjee said. Lignin is a complex organic polymer deposited in the cell walls of many plants, making them woody.