Indian scientists turn coconut oil into biofuel

Kochi, Feb 6: Scientists who have been running the four-stroke diesel engine of a light pick-up truck on coconut oil for the past one year have approached the union government to commercialise the biofuel. The scientists are attached to the Kochi-based SCMS Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research and Development and the SCMS School of Engineering and Technology. While the manufacturers of the Tata Ace claim mileage of 16 km to a litre of diesel, the vehicle can run 22.5 km per litre of the biofuel, the scientists say. "We purchased this brand new vehicle a year back. By now, it has done 20,000 km and has proved beyond doubt that coconut oil can replace diesel. We can provide this product at Rs.40 a litre," C. Mohankumar, who heads the team of six scientists, told IANS. Mohankumar said they have already applied for a US patent and also approached the union ministry of renewable energy to take this biofuel to its logical conclusion by commercialising it. "The emission levels are lower than other forms of biodiesel, making it a very eco-friendly product too," said Mohankumar. Explaining the process, he said 760 litres of biofuel can be produced from the oil of 10,000 coconuts.