CALOTROPIS PROCERA : A POTENTIAL PLANT FOR HYDROCARBONS <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

FROM SEMI-ARID AND ARID REGIONS

Ashwani Kumar

Bio-Technology Lab, Department of Botany

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004

Energy Plantation Demonstration project and Biotechnology Center.

Email. msku31@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT : Calotropis procera is a potential plant for bioenergy and biofuel production in semi arid regions of the country. At the global level, according to recent estimates by FAO the annual tropical deforestation rate for the decade 1981 to 1990 was about 15.4 million ha (Mha).  According to the latest data published in 1994 for the assessment period 1989-1991, the total area under forests is 64.01 Mha accounting for 19.5 percent of India's geographic area. The fact that nearly 90 percent of the worlds population will reside in developing countries by 2050 probably implies that biomass energy will be with us forever unless there are drastic changes in the world energy trading pattern. Calotropis procera of the semi-arid region have shown great potential of bio-fuel production during the last 17 yrs. of our investigations and efforts are underway to undertake their large scale cultivation and improvement semi-arid region of Rajasthan.

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Calotropis procera carried in Arid and semi arid lands which occupy one third of the earth's surface.  Indian arid zone occupies an area of about 0.3 million sq. km. 90 percent of which about 2,70,000 sq. km. is confined to north west Indian covering most of Western Rajasthan, part of Gujarat and small portions of Punjab and Haryana.  India with its vast expanse of wasteland unsuitable for agricultural production (nearly 180 million ha) could be considered for economically viable production of biofuels.

1.2 Tropical deforestation is currently a significant environment and development issue.  At the global level, according to recent estimates by FAO the annual tropical deforestation rate for the decade 1981 to 1990 was about 15.4 million ha (Mha).  According to the latest data published in 1994, for the assessment period 1989-1991, the total area under forests is 64.01 Mha accounting for 19.5 percent of India's geographic area. 

1.3 Modern bioenergy technologies and biofuels are relatively benign from  environmental view point and produce very little pollution if burned correctly and completely.  The creation of new employment opportunities within the community and particularly in rural areas is one of the major social benefits from the exploitation of biomass for energy, industry and environment.  Use of biomass for energy and industry allows a significant quantity of hydrocarbons to be consumed without increasing the CO₂ content of the atmosphere and thus makes a positive contribution to the Greehouse effect and to the problems of "global change" as occurs in both industrialized and developing countries.  Further advantages from utilization of biomass include : liquid fuels produced from biomass contain no sulfur, thus avoiding SO₂ emissions and also reducing emission of N0_x.  Improved















agronomic practices well managed biomass plantations will also provide a basis for environmental improvement by helping to stabilize certain soils, avoiding desertification which is already occurring rapidly in tropical countries.

1.4 Productivity :

a.     If 10,000 plants are grown in one ha at 1mx1m distance and average plant weight is 20kg then the fresh biomass produced will be 2,00,000 kg/ha/annum and the dry biomass will be 40,000 kg or 40 tonnes/ha/annum (20% of fresh wt.). This will yield 4-4.8 tonnes / ha/annum maximum biocrude (10-12%). If the cost of biocrude is Rs. 30/- per kg then the total value will be Rs. 1,20,000. The remaining biomass (90%) will be 36 tonnes/ha/annum and if it is Rs. 1/- per kg then its value will be Rs. 36,000 thus the total amount will be 1,20,000+36,000 = Rs. 1,56,000.00.

b.     If, 5,000 plants are grown in one ha at 2mx2m distance and average plant weight is 100kg then the fresh biomass produced will be 5,00,000 kg/ha/annum and the dry biomass will be 100,000 kg or 100 tonnes/ha/ annum (20% of fresh wt.). This will yield 10 tonnes/ha/annum maximum biocrude (10%). If the cost of biocrude is Rs. 30/- per kg then the total value will be Rs. 3,00,000. The remaining biomass (90%) will be 90 tonnes/ha/annum and if it is Rs. 1/- per kg then its value will be Rs. 90,000 thus the total amount will be 3,00,000+90,000=Rs, 3,90,000.00

1.5 Already European countries mainly Italy, Germany and Austria are leading in Biodiesel production nearing 500,000 tons in 1997 out of which 2,50,000 tonnes was produced in France.  (1) The production capacity of biodiesel in Germany was fully utilized in 1997, the sold quantity amounting to roughly 100,000 t.  The technologies for producing bio-oil are evolving rapidly with improving process performance, larger yielding and better quality products.  The present paper shall discuss problem and strategies for use of biomass in developing countries.

1.6 Biodiesel production :

    A recent World Bank report concluded that "Energy policies will need to be as concerned about the supply and use of biofuels as they are about modern fuels (and) they must support ways to use biofuels more efficiently and in sustainable manner.  Although there is significant volume of biodiesel already produced in Europe there are remaining risks slowing down the further expansion to the target set by the European Commission to reach 5% market share in transportation fuels by the year 2000".

    These risks are insecurity in raw material supply and prices, doubts about adequate quality assurance and hesitance for a wider acceptance by the Diesel engine manufacturers, mission marketing strategies for targeting biodiesel differential advantages into specific market niches and last not least missing legal frame conditions similar to clean air act in the USA. 

1.7 Biomass as potential resources :

    Biomass resources are potentially the worlds largest and sustainable energy source a renewable resource comprising 220 billion oven dry tones (about 4500 EJ) of annual primary production.  The annual bioenergy potential is about 2900 EJ though only 270 EJ could be considered available on sustainable basis and at competitive prices.

    Most major energy scenarios recognize bioenergy as an important component in the future worlds energy.  Projections indicate the biomass energy use to the range of 85 EJ to 215 EJ in 2025 compared to current global energy use of about 400 EJ of which 55 EJ are derived from biomass(2).

2.     MATERIAL AND METHODS :

2.1 Nursery techniques for calotropis procera

    Mature fruits of Calotropis procera may be collected during April to May. For Jaisalmer suitable month for seed collection was May. Mature fruits should be collected just before dehiscence and the hairs should be removed form seeds after collection. It is beneficial to dry the seeds in sunshine for 3-4 days before storage to avoid the fugal infection and other moisture related problems. No dormacy in the seeds of Calotropis procera was recorded and seeds readily germinated upon sowing. Seeds of Calotropis procera can be stored for one year as no reduction in percent seed germination was recorded after one year of storage.

2.2 Studies on seed germination of Calotropis procera

    Germination studies have been carried out on seeds collected from Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Banthala, Nagaur, and Dausa. 100 seed weight varied significantly in seeds collected from different places (Fig. 5). Maximum 100 seed weight (0.84 g) was recorded for seeds collected from Jaisalmer which was followed by Nagaur (0.51 g), Lalsot, Dausa (0.450 g), Jaipur (0.49g), Banthala (0.49 g). Like wise percent germination was also variable in the seeds collected was recorded in the seeds collected from Jaisalmer (98%), which was followed, by seeds collected from Nagaur (96%), Jaipur (94%), Bantahala (88%), and Lalsot (86%). Seed size was also variable for seeds collected from different locations.

2.3 Some important agronomic aspects for Calotropis procera cultivation.

    Although Calotropis procera can be germinated throughout the year however the suitable time for the sowing of Calotropis procera is May-June. Suitable sowing depth for Calotropis procera is 3 to 4 cm. Calotropis does not require deep tillage. One irrigation should be applied immediately after sowing if there is no rainfall. The intensify of weeds badly affects the plant growth therefore it is prudent to eradicate them. Suitable time for weed erradication is 45 days after sowing. First harvest may be done after 3-4 months after sowing. Plants may be thinned to have suitable number of plant for per unit area for better plant growth. The suitable time for thinning is after about 45 days after germination. An experiment is in progress to determine the suitable density of plants in per unit area. Figure 7-A-C shows an overview of Calotropis procera plantation at EPDP Centre.

3.     RESULTS :

Effect of growth regulators on shoot length of C. procera

Effect of NPK on growth of the C. Procera

Effect of organic manure on growth
of the C. procera

4. CONCLUSIONS :

4.1   European commission EU has suggested alternatives to conventional hydrocarbon fuels such as methanol, ethanol, compresses natural gas (CNG), hydrogen vegetable oils and esterified vegetable oils.  EU has presented a proposal in the framework EU's ALTERNER program for the promotion of alternative fuels.  Within this program the EU has the objective of securing a five percent market share of total motor fuel consumption for biofuels of which it is expected that biodiesel will form the major share.  EU draft specifications for vegetable oil Methylester Diesel fuel (Biodiesel fuel) have been suggested.  Some countries notably Autria and Italy have already produced their own specifications for vegetable oil methylester diesel fuel.  Total production in Europe could reach 200,000 tons by 1995.  Rapeseed methylester diesel fuels are already sold in Italy but can only be marketed outside retail outlets.  A Government decree fixes a maximum of 1,25,000 tones per year to be exempted from gas oil excise tax chain claiming tax exemption producers have to show that at least 80 percent of the raw vegetable oil used derives from "set aside" crops.

4.2   However for developing countries it is important to develop crop plants that grow on wastelands and are able to produce sufficient biocrude at economic costs.  The present papers presented the details for strategy for wastland colonization using hydrocarbon yielding plants which could be employed for several developing countries (6).

    Acknowledgement : The financial support received from Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, is gratefully acknowledged. 

REFERENCES :

(1) F. Statt, Development of biodiesel activity France, Biomass for energy and Industry. Eds. Kopetz H. et al. 1998, 112-115.

(2) D.O. Hall and F.Rosillo-Calle.  The role of bioenergy in developing countries.  Biomass for energy and industry.  Eds. Kpetz et al. 1998, 52-55.

(3) A. Kumar, Laticifers as potential bioremedients for wasteland restoration.  J. Environment and Pollution 1994  1 : 101-104.

(4) A. Kumar and S. Ro[y, Biomass resources of semi-arid regions : Production and improvement of wood energy sources.  Biomass for energy and environment. Eds Chartier, P. et. 1996, 721-724.

(5) A. Kumar, S. Johari and S.Roy, Production and improvement of bioenergy sources., J. Indian Bot. Soc. 74A: 233-244.  1994

(6) A.Kumar, Biomass energy crops of semi-arid regions of India and their energy potential.  Biomass for energy and Industry.  Eds. Kopetz, H. et al. 345-348.  1998