City-Based Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), in association with GreenLeaf Renewable Energy Pvt Ltd, has announced the launch of 3EBT, an innovative technology to produce biogas from de-oiled castor cake, which can replace conventional fuels and be used for industrial purposes. Dr Dilip Ranade, scientist, ARI, said on Wednesday that 3EBT was an eco-friendly, economical and efficient technology that made use of de-oiled castor cake in combination with special additives. "The new technology is a viable replacement option for conventional fuels such as petrol, diesel, furnace oil, and coal. Fuel costs can be cut by at least 30 per cent,' he said, adding that the method would also ensure a minimum internal rate of return of 15 per cent on the capital expenditure, the payback period being three-four years. "Every month, lakhs of litres of diesel is consumed by the industry in Pune. Adopting our technology would translate to a substantial amount being saved per month. Any application which requires a temperature of 1,200 degree Celsius can be replaced with 3EBT.' The forging and moulding industries, among other sectors, could benefit immensely from 3EBT, he added. Elaborating on the technology, Ranade said 3EBT made use of specifically developed microbes for biogas production, generating 0.4 m cube of gas per kg. The methane content of the biogas produced using 3EBT was around 75 per cent against the normal 60 per cent. The calorific value of the gas is 7,500 kcal/m cube, he said, adding that there was no hydrogen sulphide being generated in the process. Ranade said the biogas plant set up by Green Leaf Renewable Energy in Talegaon had 20 digesters, of which 17 were made of low-density polyethylene and had a capacity of 10,000 litres each. The remaining three digesters were made of concrete and had a capacity of 30,000 litres each. According to Sumedh Bapat, director-projects, Green Leaf Renewable Energy, the company has received two enquiries about 3EBT. "A wire galvanizing company in Nashik, which currently uses 4,000 litres of furnace oil per day, has approached us. We have also received a proposal from a mobile tower company and are close to finalising both the deals. However, no quantum of sale has been fixed,' said Bapat.