PM assures support for waste-to-fuel technology
The technology uses a process known as hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) to convert human waste, sewage treatment plant waste, kitchen waste, and agricultural residues into fuel oil.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (10 October) assured government support for a technology that could convert waste into fuel oil and help reduce Bangladesh's dependence on imported energy.
He gave the assurance when a team of researchers led by Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) Professor Dr Md Khalequzzaman briefed him on the technology at his office in Tejgaon, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Press Wing.
The technology uses a process known as hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) to convert human waste, sewage treatment plant waste, kitchen waste and agricultural residues into fuel oil.
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The researchers said they had been working on the technology for around 10 years and had achieved a biocrude yield of 50-55% in laboratory tests. They have also made progress in producing biocrude with a high diesel content.
The next step is to set up a pilot plant capable of processing one to three tonnes of waste a day to assess the technology's efficiency, production costs and commercial viability. The pilot project is estimated to cost Tk100-120 crore.
According to the researchers, the technology, if developed for commercial-scale production, could replace around 10-15% of imported crude oil and save foreign currency equivalent to Tk6,500-13,000 crore annually.
However, they said these estimates would need to be validated through large-scale technical and economic assessments.
The researchers said the technology could also help reduce environmental pollution, improve waste management and create opportunities to develop a domestic fuel industry.
The prime minister assured the team of the government's necessary cooperation in advancing the initiative.
Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Mahmood Tuku, State Minister Anindya Islam Amit, University Grants Commission member Professor Abdullah Al Mamun, Kuet Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Masud and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation Chairman Dr Mohammad Rafiqul Islam were present at the briefing.
