NUST inroduces cheap Biodiesel alternate energy

NUST inroduces cheap Biodiesel alternate energy

Students of National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) have produced low-priced bio-fuel, made from Jatropha plant. NUST is one of the top 350 universities of the world and is among Pakistan’s leading universities. The price to make one liter of biodiesel is just Rs 25 which is extremely cheaper than the current crude rates. Last year, cabinet committee drafted regulations to encourage bio-diesel production and cut the energy bills. Our oil imports are expected to reach 6.5 billion dollars by the end of this year.

NUST NUST inroduces cheap Biodiesel alternate energyHowever, if Pakistan assures that 10% of total furnace oil and diesel consumed is mixed with biomass energy crops, then we could cut import expenditure by as much as $ 1 billion. Ex-Federal Minister for Science &; Technology Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati had said, “This provision is going to limit the greenhouse gas emission from vehicles. It will also assure more reliable and secure sources of energy, as the level of fuel produced from crops are expected to double by 2015”.
The idea of “Fast track bio-diesel production process” was presented by School of Chemical and Materials Engineering- A school of NUST. Seeds are obtained from Jatropha plants which are processed further to get bio-diesel.

* Jatropha Carcus is an oil bearing tree, which can be cultivated easily in semi- arid regions of marginal soils. Sind, Baluchistan, many areas of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwah and Punjab are ideal places for its cultivation. It can also be cultivated as a hedge around fields or on already used lands.
* If Jatropha is planted in hedges it can produce 0.8 kg to 1.0 kg seeds per meter of live fence.
* Jatropha takes 4 to 5 years to mature fully. If rain fed, these plants can produce 0.35 to 0.375 gallon of oil per tree or 375 gallons per hectare or 150 gallons per acre. Whereas if irrigated with 3 to 5 liters per plant every 15 days, it can double the amount.
* One acre of Jatropha plant is sufficient to make 2000 liters of biodiesel.
* The biodiesel is clean burning and the process inherently removes a lot of impurities.

Currently, Philippines and Brazilians are using oil made from Jatropha seeds, where it grows naturally. NUST has also maintained a model farm consists of 15acre of Jatropha cultivation. Half a million trees have already been planted. Also some 4-5 million plants will be planted this year. Moreover, most of the generators and vehicles are also running on bio-diesel fuel in NUST with no issues at all.
If government supports this project, and shows honest concern in the field, then Pakistan can cut down heavy expenditures of Oil import. Moreover people of Pakistan will also observe a noticeable decrease in inflation.

Originally it was written by me for ApnaTime.See here

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NED students make fuel-efficient car

NED students make fuel-efficient car

The students of NED University of Engineering and technology have created a fuel-efficient car at a cost of 0.5 million, named UZBAA to participate in Shell-Eco marathon 2010.All the students belong to a group Winmark.

According to Haris Rehman leader of Winmark , “The car is fully locally created and can cover 80 kilometers per litre, It has 70.cc cold back engine. The body is prepared from fiber glass, whereas its total weight is 125 kg.”
Team members have spent almost PKR 3 lac in the making of this car. It is stated that more expenditures will come yet, as car needs front and back screen as well as side glasses. Moreover around 3335 US dollars are needed in order to represent Pakistan in the global competition being arranged in Malaysia which they have not managed to collect yet. Students are hoping for the sponsors to provide them efficient funds.
According to Talha Asad , another member of the WinMark group, says that their teachers have appreciated them and only because of their appreciation they have managed to achieve this goal successfully, but unfortunately they could not support them economically.
The car was prepared as per the standards of shell-eco marathon race. According to the shell pamphlet the length of the car should be in between 220 and 35cm whereas weight shouldn’t be more than 160kg.
WinMark team has showcased their car at Karachi which is complete and is ready to race in the marathon. They will be competing with world’s top notch cars in urban category. This year the event is to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Sepang International Circuit. The expected audience is more than 6000 people and the event will be covered by media from over 20 countries.
The team comprises on students of Electrical and Mechanical Departments of NED University. They are:
M Tabrez Siddiqui, M Shahab Siddiqui, Ahsun Jawed, M Waqar Ahmed, Osama Rehman, Saeed Ahmad (Team Advisor), Haris Rehman (Team Manager), M Bilal Sohail, Taha Rasul Sheikh, M Hassan Abbasi, M Ahsan, Talha Asad and Usman Mehmood.
Pakistan is full of talent and history proves it. However it is sad to realize that Pakistan government has no funds to help its bright stars. According to Pakistan official stats, an average player from the national Pakistani cricket team earns more than 7 to 8 million per year. Moreover they are awarded with millions of Rupees depending on their performance, the number of sixes and fours they hit in the match. When the government has funds for Sports then why are we so poor when it comes to education? Government of Pakistan should form new policies and alter their preferences. I request President and Prime Minister of Pakistan to please increase the budgets for education and appreciate the real talent of Pakistan.

Read at Pakiology here

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