Researchers at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) have taken the initiative to commercialize technology for producing fuel oil from human waste, sewage sludge, and agricultural residues. If their innovative technology can be applied on a large scale, it could provide an alternative supply for 10 to 15 percent of imported crude oil and save up to 13,000 crore Taka worth of foreign currency annually.
A pilot plant, costing between 100 and 120 crore Taka, is planned to be established to verify the technology’s effectiveness and commercial viability. Prime Minister Tareque Rahman has assured necessary assistance for the implementation of this project.
The Prime Minister gave this assurance to the researchers during his visit to the project’s exhibition at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, on Saturday morning (October 10). The Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary, Md. Sujauddoula, confirmed the matter.
During the exhibition, Dr. Md. Khalequzzaman, a professor at KUET and a researcher for the project, presented the technology for producing fuel oil from human waste, sewage sludge, kitchen waste, and agricultural residues, along with the progress of the research and its commercial production potential. At this time, the Prime Minister was thoroughly briefed on the project’s activities and implementation plan.
Success Achieved After 10 Years of Research
According to the researchers, significant progress has been made in producing bio-crude oil from waste using ‘Hydrothermal Liquefaction’ (HTL) technology in this research, which has been ongoing for nearly 10 years.
Laboratory tests have yielded results of 50 to 55 percent bio-crude production from waste. Researchers have also succeeded in producing diesel-rich bio-crude.
1 to 3 Tons of Waste to Be Processed Daily
To transform the laboratory’s success into real-world production, the next phase involves planning the establishment of a pilot plant capable of processing 1 to 3 tons of waste daily. This plant will be used to verify the technology’s effectiveness, production costs, and potential for large-scale commercial expansion.
According to researchers’ estimates, approximately 100 to 120 crore Taka will be required for establishing the pilot plant and implementing the project.
Annual Savings Could Reach 13,000 Crore Taka
Researchers’ preliminary calculations suggest that if the technology is commercially applied on a large scale, it could provide an alternative supply for approximately 10 to 15 percent of the country’s imported crude oil. This could potentially save an estimated 6,500 crore to 13,000 crore Taka worth of foreign currency annually.
However, to turn this potential into reality, the pilot plant must verify the technology’s effectiveness, production costs, fuel quality, and long-term economic sustainability. A crucial objective of this initiative is also to determine whether the results obtained in the laboratory can be replicated similarly at the commercial stage.
New Opportunities in Fuel and Waste Management
Researchers anticipate that with government support, if the technology can be brought to the commercial stage, it will not only reduce the country’s dependence on fuel imports but also open new possibilities in waste management. This initiative could contribute to reducing environmental pollution by transforming waste into resources, saving foreign currency, and fostering the development of the domestic fuel industry.
Electricity and Energy Minister Iqbal Mahmud Tuku, State Minister Anindya Islam Amit, Professor Abdullah Al Mamun, member of the Public Management Division of the University Grants Commission (UGC), KUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Mashud, and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam were present at the project’s exhibition.
