CLRI uses tannery waste to produce biofuels
According to the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu region will accommodate the world’s first biorefinery.
The plant will use solid waste from tanneries in the Vellore district to produce biodiesel, bioethanol, biohydrogen and biomethane.
CLRI scientist Palani Shanmugam told Daily News & Analysis that a tonne of solid waste from the tannery would yield 200 litres of biodiesel, 200 litres of bioethanol, 120 cubic-metre of biohydrogen and 200 cubic-metres of methane. He claims waste water produced during the process could be used for gardening.
The pilot plant, which consumes two tonnes of solid waste per day, is located in Ranipet at a cost of seven million rupees ($122,500). According to Mr Shanmugan, the cost of producing a litre of diesel will be around Rs20.
He claims tanneries spread across the country generate around
2,400 tonnes of solid waste per day. "This entire waste could be used to
generate power, bio diesel and cooking gas without producing any greenhouse
gases or waste of any kind," he said.
