Mumbai, March 31 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has been using a patented biomass gasification technology to convert dry leaf waste into cooking fuel, a significant innovation considering the concerns over LPG supply that are currently causing people to panic buy.
The city-based premier institute has been using this technology for the past decade, reducing LPG usage on campus by 30 to 40 percent, it said on its social media handle.
In 2014, Professor Sanjay Mahajani from the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Bombay proposed biomass gasification to convert campus waste into cooking fuel.
Early trials proved challenging, as Indian biomass formed clinkers that clogged and damaged conventional systems, creating smoke for 30 minutes or more.
However, the team persevered, and by 2016, a patented gasifier achieved a 100-fold reduction in clinker formation.
The biomass gasification process involves collecting, shredding, and processing dry leaves into pellets. These pellets are then heated in a low-oxygen chamber, where they undergo pyrolysis and gasification, releasing a fuel-rich gas mixture.
This gas burns cleanly, producing a steady flame suitable for cooking.
Professor Sandeep Kumar from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering joined the experiment in 2017 to design a breakthrough burner and secure a patent for the technology.
Currently, the IIT Bombay staff canteen runs on 30 to 40 percent less LPG, achieving 60 percent thermal efficiency with emissions under 20 ppm (parts per million).
Licensed to Infixen Energy, this technology developed by IIT Bombay is being implemented in large hostels, which could save Rs 50 lakh annually, replace 90 tonnes of LPG, and reduce 300 tonnes of carbon dioxide.