Sri Venkateswara University in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, has completed a 12 day pilot test of a plasma pyrolysis reactor that converts temple floral waste, plastics, coconut shells, and poultry waste into biofuels, liquid hydrocarbons, and fertilizer. The closed loop system operates at 300 to 500 degrees Celsius in an oxygen free environment, producing virtually zero landfill residue. The 50 kg capacity prototype was tested on ten waste streams matching Tirupati's daily waste profile as a major pilgrimage center receiving over 100,000 visitors per day. The technology, developed with Chennai based Entity One Company, requires minimal waste segregation and handles both wet and dry materials in a single reactor. Outputs include esters from floral waste, biofuel from fish and poultry waste, liquid hydrocarbon fuels from mixed plastics and tires, and activated carbon from coconut shells. Researchers and municipal officials involved in the project believe scaling up could reduce landfill dependence and create economic value from materials currently discarded. The project aligns with India's broader push for sustainable urban waste management and resource recovery.
