KSRTC Buses to Run on Bio Diesel

KOZHIKODE:
Starting Sepember 9, 2016, KSRTC buses drawing fuel from Thottilpalem depot, Kozhikode District would be the first to run on Bio Diesel. From 09.09.2016, the depot has commenced delivery of around 400 li
tres of Bio Diesel to more than 100 KSRTC buses per day.
A.K Saseendran, Transport Minister, Kerala flagged off the First Bus after fuelling with Bio-diesel from Thottilpalam Depot. The Minister in his brief address stated that introduction of Bio-diesel is a laudable step by KSRTC, considering the latest NGT guidelines on usage of diesel vehicles in the State. “This will address concern of the NGT to some extent, on environment protection of diesel driven vehicles”. Further he stated that this will give an opportunity to Farmers to earn additional income by cultivating bio-diesel plantations. ‘Bio Diesel being a renewable energy source, saves foreign exchange to the Nation’ he said. He also announced that the Bio Diesel facility would be introduced shortly in entire Calicut district and also in neighbouring Kannur Dist.
The necessary tankage facilities at KSRTC Calicut Depot have been made available by IndianOil for 5% Bio fuel blended HSD. Further, installation of tanks are in progress at Kannur, Thallissery and Payannur Depots. The Bio Diesel stock with blending facilities would be made ready for launching at the above Depots shortly.
E.K Vijayan MLA Nadapuram Constituency , M T Sukumaran Executive Director( Technical ) KSRTC , T.Varaprasad Rao DGM (Consumer Sales) Kerala State Office, IndianOil, A Suresh, Chief Manager, Consumer Sales, Kerala State Office attended the function .

Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils (both edible & Non-edible) such as Palm oil, Rapeseed, Soyabean, Jatropha Plant Seeds, animal fats, tallow and waste cooking oil.
Biodiesel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable substitute for HSD (Diesel).. Using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel improves air quality and hence environment friendly. Agriculturists can gainfully grow these crops to substitute their incomes.
Since Bio-Diesel is produced domestically, India could save foreign exchange. Bio diesel can be blended in HSD upto 20%, without any modification to the engines of buses. Biodiesel improves fuel lubricity and raises the cetane number of the fuel. Diesel engines depend on the lubricity of the fuel to keep moving parts from wearing prematurely.
Biodiesel provides significantly reduced emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and un-burnt hydrocarbons. It has no sulphur, no aromatics and its in-built oxygen helps in complete combustion of fuel.
Biodiesel is non-toxic and bio-degradable. It causes far less damage if spilled or released to the environment. The flashpoint for biodiesel is higher than 120°C and hence, safe to handle, store, and transport.