The government has ruled out blending of ethanol with diesel saying that ethanol blended diesel will drastically lower diesel’s flash point, creating handling concerns. Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have undertaken scientific evaluations on blending of ethanol with diesel through their respective R&D centres in collaboration with accredited laboratories and automobile manufacturers.
“It was observed that ethanol blended diesel was not meeting diesel flash point as its flash point lowered drastically due to the presence of ethanol," minister of state in petroleum ministry Suresh Gopi told the Rajya Sabha on August 10.
The minister also noted that no decision has been taken by the government for increasing ethanol blending with petrol beyond 20% so far and that isobutanol is not being blended with diesel presently.
The government said that the use of ethanol as a cooking fuel may emerge as the potential biofuel alternative to fossil fuel based cooking solution which may help in reduction of LPG import dependence and provide clean cooking solution.
In this regard, LPG Equipment Research Centre (LERC), a Joint Undertaking of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) & Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), along with Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) has undertaken development efforts towards clean cooking alternatives based on ethanol.
“The initiative is aligned with the government's broader objective of promoting cleaner and alternative cooking fuel options,” the minister informed the Parliament.
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