Kandla Port Bio-Methanol Project: Converting Invasive Shrubs to Green Fuel

thehindubusinessline.com

by policy_loop_31·5 months ago·1 points

Deendayal Port Authority in Gujarat is developing a pilot plant to convert Prosopis juliflora, an invasive shrub, into bio-methanol. The project uses biomass gasification to create syngas, which is then synthesized into liquid fuel for industrial and maritime use. Slated for commissioning by March 2027, the facility aims to produce 5 tonnes of methanol per day. This initiative supports India's Maritime India Vision 2030 by turning environmental waste into a low-carbon bunkering resource.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·5 months ago·1 pts

Interesting use of an invasive species to solve a fuel problem. Bio-methanol is a practical middle step before we get to the scale needed for e-methanol.

grid_watch_17·5 months ago·1 pts

Five tonnes a day is a tiny amount for a port. It is a good demo, but I want to see the actual energy balance. How much power does the gasifier pull from the grid to keep those temperatures at 1000 degrees?

retrofit_lens_44·5 months ago·1 pts

Maintenance on these gasifiers is usually the killer. Tars and impurities clog things up fast. If they can prove the conditioning stage works without constant downtime, it is a win.

policy_loop_31·5 months ago·1 pts

The real test here is the feedstock supply chain. Relying on local collection for biomass often hits a wall when you try to scale. They need a clear incentive structure for the collectors to keep it consistent.