BITS Pilani scientists convert power plant emissions into clean cooking fuel
By R. Suryamurthy
New Delhi, Mar 31: In a development that could help reshape India’s clean energy pathway, researchers at Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani have unveiled a technology that converts industrial emissions into Dimethyl Ether (DME), a cleaner alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The breakthrough, led by Prof. Sounak Roy along with researchers Satyapaul A. Singh and B.M. Reddy at the institute’s Hyderabad campus, comes amid heightened concerns over energy security as global supply chains face disruptions.
The team has devised a method to capture waste gases emitted by power plants and convert them into DME in a single step, using specially designed materials and hydrogen derived from water. The approach effectively transforms carbon-heavy emissions—typically released into the atmosphere—into a usable, low-emission fuel.
To test industrial viability, the researchers replicated real-world power plant conditions using a high-pressure reactor system. By fine-tuning temperature, pressure and gas composition, they achieved sustained, high-volume DME output, indicating the process can be scaled beyond laboratory settings.
DME has long been recognised globally as a cleaner-burning fuel. It produces no soot, significantly lowers harmful emissions, and can be used in cooking applications with performance comparable to LPG. India has already taken initial regulatory steps, with the Bureau of Indian Standards permitting blending of up to 20% DME in LPG—an early signal of its potential adoption in household energy use.
What sets the BITS Pilani innovation apart is its dual impact: reducing industrial carbon emissions while generating a viable fuel alternative. By integrating emissions capture with fuel production, the technology aligns with broader efforts to build a circular and low-carbon energy economy.
“This demonstrates that industrial emissions need not be treated as waste,” Prof. Roy said. “They can instead become a resource—supporting both energy security and environmental goals.”
The development also underscores India’s growing push toward indigenous clean-energy solutions, particularly at a time when dependence on imported fuels remains a strategic vulnerability.
Founded in 1964, BITS Pilani is among India’s leading private research institutions, with multiple campuses and a strong track record in engineering and scientific innovation. (BVI)
