https://www.channelstv.com/2016/12/27/varsity-don-urges-fg-to-implement-biofuel-policy/
Varsity Don Urges FG To Implement Biofuel Policy
Updated December 27, 2016
biofuelThe Nigerian government has been asked to implement the biofuel
policy with full commitment to prevent total dependence on refined
petroleum products.
A professor of Renewable Energy (Mechanical Engineering), at the Osun
State University in Osogbo, Professor Oguntola Alamu, made the demand on
Tuesday while delivering the 10th inaugural lecture of the university
with the theme: “Sourcing Renewable Fuel for Diesel Engines”.
Professor Alamu tasked government on encouraging aggressive use of
domestic, renewable energy option in order to reduce the impact of the
importation of fuel on the economy.
Professor Alamu, who was a Vice-Chancellor of the university, urged the
Federal Government to engage in massive oil crops plantation that would
be dedicated primarily for the production of biofuel.
Renewable Fuel For Diesel Engine
He emphasised the need to embrace the renewable energy-options such as
Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) as alternative to refined petroleum product so as
to reduce the nation’s reliance on single-commodity economy and further
strengthen the nation’s energy security.
He added that biodiesel was quickly becoming one of the fastest growing
alternative fuels in the world and that this was with environmental
benefits, including lower emissions, unlike petroleum that has high
emissions profile.
Alamu said that in sourcing for the renewable fuel for diesel engine, he
collaborated with other researcher and processed PKO biodiesel as
alternative to petrol.
“Biodiesel from coconut oil and a few non-edible oil crops such as
castor oil was also processed, optimised and characterised as diesel fuel.
“Fuel properties of the biodiesel produced were tested following the
ASTM standards while engine performance test was conducted on diesel
engine to obtain results for torque and power at various engine speeds.
Generally, results obtained were found to be in good agreement and
within limits set by a number of International Standards for biodiesel.
“The results will, no doubt, contribute to baseline data needed for
future replacement of conventional diesel with renewable biodiesel to
power diesel engine,” the renewable energy expert said.
Alamu emphasised the need for Nigeria’s biofuel policy to be implemented
with total commitment saying that the nation should produce renewable
feedstock such as vegetable oils and fats to keep the cost of biodiesel
competitive with petroleum.
“Globally, there is the dire need for massive oil crops plantation
dedicated primarily for biofuel use. Nigeria can decrease its dependence
on refined petroleum product imports by an aggressive use of domestic,
renewable energy options.
“The Nigeria biofuel policy should also be implemented with total
commitment. This will not only reduce reliance on single-commodity
economy as well as abate importation of refined petroleum products in
Nigeria, but it will also strengthen the nation’s energy security.
“Alternative renewable fuel, found in vegetable oils is characterised by
high viscosities thus limiting their applications as fuel. However, the
use of transesterified vegetable oils as fuel has been yielding
successful results besides being a domestic, renewable resource that
provides environmental benefits with lower emissions.”
He went further to explain that “due to its clean emissions profile,
ease of use, and many other benefits, biodiesel is quickly becoming one
of the fastest growing alternative fuels in the world. With minimal
subsidy, biodiesel is cost competitive with petroleum diesel, and
millions of users have found and enjoyed the benefits of the fuel.”
“The future of biodiesel lies in the world’s ability to produce
renewable feedstock such as vegetable oils and fats to keep the cost of
biodiesel competitive with petroleum, without supplanting land necessary
for food production or destroying natural ecosystems in the process.
“Creating biodiesel in a sustainable manner will allow this clean,
renewable, and cost effective fuel to help ease the increasing shortages
of petroleum, while providing economic and environmental benefits well
into the 21st century,” Alamu noted.
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