Transforming Tomorrow: Discover the Revolutionary Domestic Fuel by CSIR – NCL Pune that Empowers Tamil Communities
As the global energy landscape shifts amidst ongoing crises in West Asia, a dedicated team at the CSIR – National Chemical Laboratory in Pune is making significant strides in alternative fuel technology. Led by Senior Principal Scientist Raja Thirumalaiswamy, the team is poised to transfer its innovative technology for producing Dimethyl Ether (DME), a potential substitute for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Since its inception in 2016, this groundbreaking project has garnered international interest, with seven companies and representatives from four countries, including Finland and Ghana, seeking collaboration. Initially producing a mere 500 milligrams, the team has successfully scaled up its output to an impressive 2,500 kilograms per day. In a promising partnership, ONGC is set to produce 2.5 tonnes per day at its Hazira facility.
“Our research has resulted in five patents concerning the indirect method of deriving DME from methanol,” Dr. Thirumalaiswamy explained. The catalyst developed by the team stands out for its operational efficiency, functioning effectively at lower temperatures and ensuring higher purity at reduced costs. Certified through collaborative efforts with IOCL Research and Development, Attrium Innovations, and ONGC, the process has been rigorously validated.
Dr. Thirumalaiswamy pointed out that the catalyst, patented in 2019, is designed to withstand tough conditions, operating at 10 bar pressure without degrading. The team has also engineered cooking stoves compatible with both LPG and DME, boasting an impressive efficiency rate of 74.5%, compared to the typical 64% to 68% seen in standard household stoves. Notably, these modified stoves can utilize up to 20% DME blended with LPG without requiring any alterations.
A pivotal aspect of this advancement is the robust nature of the catalyst, which has undergone over 15,000 hours of rigorous testing, monitored by a team of dedicated scientists, including Manikandan, Sivaprasad, Prabhu, and Praveen. “Our catalyst can handle the sulfur produced during the gasification of coal to a significant degree,” he added, demonstrating the product’s resilience.
Despite spending over two decades in Pune, Dr. Thirumalaiswamy has retained strong ties to his Tamil heritage. “While I haven’t picked up much Marathi or Hindi, I prefer working with fellow Tamils for seamless communication,” he stated. His deep-rooted connections to Tamil culture manifest in his role as Dharmakartha of a Murugan temple in Pune, where he continues to promote Tamil traditions and community services.
In an era where the search for sustainable energy sources is more crucial than ever, the work being conducted in Pune not only aims to address the immediate needs for alternatives to traditional fuels but also nurtures the long-standing cultural connections that drive innovation in India. As various global stakeholders express interest, the promise of DME as a viable energy solution shines brightly on the horizon, marking a significant step towards energy independence and sustainability.
This pioneering effort from the CSIR – National Chemical Laboratory exemplifies how scientific advancements can emerge from local ingenuity, contributing to the broader goal of global energy security.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-tamil-connect-to-a-new-domestic-fuel-from-csir-ncl-pune/article70797319.ece
Category : Tamil Nadu
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Publish Date: 2026-03-29 02:25:00
