Bio-diesel answer to fuel problems?

The Punjab University Institute of Chemistry is experimenting in its laboratory on ethyl alcohol, which is obtained from molasses, to get bio-diesel.

Over 80 percent vehicles in Brazil use this fuel.

PU Faculty of Science Dean Prof Dr Jamil Anwar Chaudhry expressed these views while briefing about the performance of the institute in a ceremony. He said chemical industries were getting molasses from sugar industries and converting it into ethyl alcohol and a lot of money is being earned by exporting it.

He said there is dire need to create awareness among sugar industries owners so that molasses could be saved and money could be saved by converting it into fuel through a chemical process.

He said the government had earlier introduced ECO-I fuel at petrol pumps as an experiment which could not be developed due to insufficient advertisement and the project was stopped.

Dr Jamil said the institute has the capacity to provide technical consultancy for the cleaning of waste water at each level.

He said the institute had been providing maximum analytical facilities to pharmaceutical and other national industries which is not only benefiting the industries but also helping in highlight the country’s image at international level.

He said the institute will offer special courses of chemistry in local industry including leather, sugar and textile in future so that maximum people could benefit from the knowledge of knowledge.

Institute’s Scientific Officer Waheed-uz-Zaman said the institute had been playing an important role to facilitate industries analytically by overcoming increasing environmental and water pollution in the country.

He said that institute’s analytical laboratory was certified of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and all industries are getting tests of their waste water.

The experiments had been taken on recycling of used plastic bottles and shopping bags according to international standards and if experiments could be carried out on maximum level in the light of these experiments, it can helpful in reducing importing prices and reducing environmental pollution.

Special tests on industrial waste water and drinking water were being carried out in the institute’s laboratory.

Moreover, PU Institute of Chemistry was also working on saving the marine life from the harmful effects of polluted water of the industries by utilising the wheat straw, rice husk, corncob and low quality coal. As many as 72 research paper of the faculty member of the institute of chemistry were published in international research journals last year, Dr Jamel added.