DPA Kandla Pilot Project: Converting Invasive Shrubs to Bio-Methanol

indiashippingnews.com

by news_wire_22·4 months ago·1 points

The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla is launching a 100 crore rupee pilot plant to produce bio-methanol from Prosopis juliflora, an invasive shrub known as Gando Bawal. The facility aims to produce five tonnes of methanol per day, providing a low-carbon fuel source for port service vessels and tugs. This project serves as a precursor to a larger strategic goal of establishing Kandla as a green bunkering hub. DPA is also exploring a 3,500 crore rupee electro-methanol project to supply methanol-fuelled ships traveling the Rotterdam-to-Singapore corridor by 2030.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

DPA Kandla is trying to turn an invasive weed into marine fuel. It is a small pilot for now, but they are eyeing a much larger e-methanol play for the Singapore-Rotterdam route. Worth watching to see if the feedstock logistics actually hold up.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

Five tonnes a day is a tiny output for a 100 crore investment. It is a tech demo, but I want to see the actual energy balance. How much energy goes into the gasification and compression versus what you get out in fuel?

retrofit_lens_44·4 months ago·1 pts

The real cost will be in the collection and transport of the shrubs. Biomass is bulky and expensive to move. If they can't get the local community to harvest it cheaply, the opex will kill the project before it scales.

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

The interesting part is the Harit Sagar Guidelines. Using invasive species for feedstock usually simplifies the sustainability certification for carbon credits, as you are removing an ecological burden rather than competing with food crops.

eco_tracker_99·4 months ago·1 pts

They mentioned it can also take peanut shells and sawdust. That flexibility is good, but it might complicate the syngas consistency. Let's see if the catalyst holds up with mixed feedstocks.