Studies on biodiesel production from local tree species oil and consequent ecological impact in rural Karnataka Lokesh, A. PhD thesis deposited in Curve June 2015 Original citation: Lokesh, A. (2014) Studies on biodiesel production from local tree species oil and consequent ecological impact in rural Karnataka. Unpublished Thesis. Coventry: Coventry University M.S.Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies. Some tables and images have been removed due to third party copyright. The unabridged version of the thesis can be viewed at the Lanchester Library, Coventry University Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. CURVE is the Institutional Repository for Coventry University http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open Studies on Biodiesel Production from Local Tree Species Oil and Consequent Ecological Impact in Rural Karnataka By Adappa Chandrashekar Lokesh January 2014 A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the University’s requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Coventry University in Collaboration with M.S.Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the PhD Dissertation titled “Studies on Biodiesel Production from Local Tree Species Oil and Consequent Ecological Impact in Rural Karnataka” is a bonafide record of the work carried out by Mr. Adappa Chandrashekar Lokesh, in partial fulfilment of requirements for the award of Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, of Coventry University January 2014 Dr. N.S. Mahesh Director of Studies M.S.Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies, Bangalore Dr. BalaKrishna Gowda Supervisor University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore Prof. Peter White Supervisor Coventry University, UK i ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This dissertation is the outcome of support and cooperation from many people, for whom I place on record with utmost sincerity my esteemed and deep sense of gratitude. I am immensely indebted to Dr. M.R. Jayaram, a leading light and Chairman-GEF for giving me an opportunity to serve MSRSAS and pursue my PhD as well. His philanthropic nature shall always remain as an inspiration in my career path I would like to thank Dr. S.R Shankapal, President- MSRSAS for his encouragement and support rendered during my doctoral research. He is an inspiring personality to be associated with; who was kind enough to help me frame my research statement and duly support me through my doctoral study tenure. I am immensely thankful to my Director of Studies Dr. N.S. Mahesh, Professor & Head- MME, for his untiring support, guidance and encouragement. I appreciate his ever- smiling attitude and openness in providing ample space to air my thoughts during many discussions and mentor me judiciously. I am deeply indebted to my supervisor Dr. Balakrishna Gowda- Professor and Project Coordinator Biofuel Park, for extending the facilities of Biofuel Park to carry out my research. His calm nature, immense knowledge, willingness to share his network, offices and scientific insights has been inspiring. I am also deeply indebted to Dr. Prasanna, Mr. Rajesh and Staff of Biofuel Park for their support and help rendered to me during data collection and experimentation. I am immensely thankful to my Supervisor Prof. Peter White from Coventry University for his patient listening, insightful feedback and suggestions. His persuasive approach in structuring my dissertation is highly appreciable. I owe many thanks to Prof. H. N. Nagesha, Dean and Dr. N.Suresh, Prof and Head, FMC, MSRUAS and for their support during my doctoral tenure. I am thankful to my ii colleagues Mrs. Shilpa, Mr. Sharath, Mr. Devkumar, Mr. Uday, Mrs. Sunitha, Mr. Vijay Kumar, Mr. Umesh Mr. Sandeep and Mr. Husain for their moral support. I would also like to express my gratitude to Prof. V.G.S Mani, Prof. Ajit Kumar, Dr. Deshpande and Dr.Govind Kadambi for encouraging me to pursue my doctoral studies. Their simple living and high thinking with a nurturing attitude shall always remain green in my memory. I am thankful to Mrs. Prema, Mr.Anil and Mrs.Vani from ARO for their help throughout my doctoral study tenure. I owe many thanks to my dear friends, Mr. Jagadeesh T.S. (Agri Consultant), Mr.Prakash (Lawyer), Mr. Harish.C (Inspector-Central Excise), Mr. Kalidas Raj (Agri Consultant), Mr. Suresh (SDE BSNL), Mr. Rajesh (Inspector-RTO), Mr. Giridhar Joshi and Mr. Srinath (Asst Prof- UAHS) for helping me in data collection and experimentation. Thanks to my dear friend, Dr. Anil Kumar (Project Lead at JLR) for his hospitality during my visit to Coventry. Many Thanks to my PhD Viva Chair, Prof. Steve Martin (Coventry University), Examiners Dr. Philip Davies (Aston University) and Dr. Richard Blanchard (Loughborough University) for their patient listening and valuable feedback. I owe many thanks to Mr. B.G.Venkat Swamy and Dr.Ramesh Babu (Additional Director, CPRI) for their help and support in pursuing my PhD. Finally, I owe all my success to the Almighty, my beloved parents, brother, wife and my sons. I am deeply indebted for their encouragement and cooperation during my doctoral studies. Author: Adappa Chandrashekar Lokesh iii ABSTRACT The Government of India has planned to substitute 20% (12-15 million metric tonnes) of fossil diesel with biodiesel, produced using non-edible oils by 2017. In addition to Jatropha, more than 300 species of oil-bearing trees have been identified as biodiesel feedstock in India, of which, around 80 species inhabit Karnataka state. The key issue is to analyse whether these biodiesel feedstock are ecologically and economically sustainable. This dissertation attempts to address this issue by carrying out a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) on viability of biodiesel production from tree borne oils in comparison to Jatropha and fossil diesel. Feedstock native to Karnataka state namely (1) Pongamia pinnata, (2) Madhuca longifolia, (3) Azadirachta indica and (4) Simarouba glauca, have been analysed in this research. The LCA studies were carried out at the Biofuel Park, in Hassan district of Karnataka State. The objectives were to (i) asses the energy input and output, green house gas emissions and impact of land use change on ecosystem (ii) assess the economic viability of biodiesel production and (iii) formulate strategies for sustainable biodiesel production at rural level LCA studies revealed that non-renewable energy requirement (NRER) throughout the life cycle of Pongamia, Madhuca, Azadirachta and Simarouba systems were found to be 4 to 7 times lower than Jatropha system and 25 to 42 times lower than conventional diesel system. Similarly, Net Energy Gain has been found to be highest in Madhuca, followed by Pongamia, Simarouba and Azadirachta system, which is 42 to 24 times higher than the output from Jatropha system. Global warming potential of Pongamia, Madhuca, Azadirachta and Simarouba were found to be 3-4 times lower than Jatropha system and 7- 8 times lower than fossil diesel system. Ecosystem structure and functional quality aspects of Pongamia, Madhuca, Azadirachta and Simarouba were found to be 2-4 times better than that of Jatropha system. Economic viability studies revealed that price of biodiesel (with 20 % profit) produced from Pongamia, Madhuca, Azadirachta and Simarouba oil was found to be 6 % less than iv subsidised conventional diesel in Karnataka State (i.e. Rs.51.20/- per litre annual average 2012) This study revealed that Pongamia and Simarouba are ecologically and economically viable while Azadirachta and Madhuca are only ecologically viable feedstock for biodiesel production in the current economic scenario. Strategies for sustainable biodiesel production were proposed based on the outcome of the LCA studies. The structured framework evolved as a part of this research may be adopted for analysing any local biodiesel feedstock in India for sustainable biodiesel production. v TABLE OF CONTENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .................................................................................................. ii ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENT ..................................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... xiv LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... xix NOMENCLATURE ....................................................................................................... xxii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 1 1.0 Biodiesel Sector in India ............................................................................................... 1 1.1 The Supply Chain of Biodiesel in India ........................................................................ 2 1.1.1 Cultivation.................................................................................................................. 2 1.1.2 Processing .................................................................................................................