Experts around the world are always striving for new discoveries and research in the field of science and technology. Along with these experts, the youth of Pakistan is not behind anyone in showing the essence of their abilities.

Final-year students of NED University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, along with their supervisor, have produced biodiesel from fish waste, which can be used in vehicles and other applications in the future.

This will also save Pakistan 1.73 billion dollars annually. Last year, Pakistan imported 0.77 million tons of diesel, on which 17.3 billion dollars were spent.

This plant has been designed and fabricated in the Environmental Department. Its special feature is that it is completely environment-friendly. How can it be used? In this regard, we spoke to the Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering, the supervisor of the project, and the biodiesel development team, the details of which are available to the readers.

Q: Tell us about your team. How many people does it consist of?

A: Our team members belong to NED University Department of Mechanical Engineering. This team consists of 4 people. Muhammad Absar Ahmed, Zaki Ahmed, Talha Ahmed, and Huzaifa Iftikhar. All four of us are mechanical engineering final-year students.

Biodiesel produced from fish waste is our final year project. We have prepared this biodiesel under the supervision of our supervisor and Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering Department, Dr. Mahmood Ali.

Q: Tell us in detail about the biodiesel produced from fish waste.

A: This biodiesel is made from the internal components and waste of fish. The waste of fish contains oil. Made to scale. Its special feature is that it will reduce air pollution as well as sea pollution and also save foreign exchange spent on diesel produced in the refinery. The machine in which it is produced is called "Biodiesel Batch."

This machine produces 10 liters of diesel in 3 hours, which can easily be used to drive a vehicle. The plant has been designed and fabricated in the Environmental Department.

If biodiesel is produced from 350,000 tons of fish waste available in Pakistan, then 150,000 tons of oil or 100,000 tons of biodiesel can be produced. It will not only help but also save the foreign exchange incurred on the import of diesel and crude oil.

Biodiesel Will Now Be Produced From Fish Waste

The by-product we get from this is glycerin, which is used in medicine and cosmetics. In this way, we have achieved two things simultaneously from fish waste. A plant with a limited capacity of 10 liters converts one liter of oil into biodiesel for 180 to 190 rupees, including all costs, including chemicals, if run by electricity.

If the department installs a plant of higher capacity, this cost can be reduced to a considerable extent, and the production cost of biodiesel can be significantly reduced.

Q: How long did it take to produce this biodiesel?

It took about 2 months to develop it. We did a lot of research on our own first to see how much we would save per year if biodiesel was produced from it. When the research results were positive, then we started working on it.

Q: What is the difference between this biodiesel and a normal biodiesel?

A: The clear difference between it and normal diesel is that normal biodiesel has a specific standard, and each biodiesel has a standard level based on its properties. But the biodiesel we have produced is in compliance with the National Biodiesel Standard.

Q: How much did the project cost?

A: Currently, we have developed it on a small scale, so it has cost Rs 1 lakh so far.

Q: Did you bear all the expenses yourself or was the funding from somewhere?

A: So far all its expenses have been borne by our supervisor, Dr. Mahmood Ali.

Q: How have you guys tested this biodiesel so far?

A: After producing biodiesel, it was tested in the lab to check its properties; now we will test it on the vehicle engine to check how many kilometers one liter of biodiesel can be used.

Q: How much do you think this biodiesel will save annually?

A: Last year, 0.77 million tons of diesel were imported into Pakistan, on which 17.3 billion dollars were spent. Biodiesel is not used entirely in the engine, but it is mixed with 10 to 20 percent and used in vehicles. If we produce biodiesel according to our needs, it can save 1.73 billion dollars annually.

Q: Is this biodiesel environment friendly?

A: The special thing about this biodiesel produced from fish waste is that it is completely environment friendly. The calorific value of this biodiesel is equal to that of normal diesel, but the carbon components emitted from it are re-entered into the environment through the kilocarbon cycle without harming the environment. Whereas normal biodiesel causes air pollution.

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Q: Does its processing plant run on normal electricity?

A: In the beginning we were running it with conventional electricity, but in the future it will be run with solar energy. This will reduce the cost of the process and also make the biodiesel-making process environment-friendly.

Q: Why was fish waste chosen to produce biodiesel?

A: We know that after some time the fossil fuel will run out. We have to develop something as an alternative. The sea pollution in Pakistan is increasing with time. We researched what the material is, using which we can produce fuel.

So we found out that one million tons of fish and sea food is obtained in Pakistan annually, from which three and a half million tons of waste is released, which is thrown into the sea, which is increasing the pollution of the sea as well as the aquatic environment.

So we thought, Why not experiment to produce biodiesel from fish waste? Because we have it in abundance, so our experiment was good. 1 lakh 50 tons from 1 million tons of fish waste. The oil can be extracted. Omega 3 and Omega 6 are found in this oil; it is used in making medicines and cosmetics. Previously, biodiesel has been produced from various plant materials.

Q: Is the process of producing biodiesel environmentally friendly?

A: Of course, its process is also environmentally friendly; the machine that produces it does not pollute the environment.

Q: How do you think this biodiesel can be used in the future?

A: The biggest advantage of this will be that the use of fish waste will reduce pollution from the sea, and the country's economy will also improve.

The cost of biodiesel produced from fish waste is 12 to 13 percent lower than that of refinery-produced diesel, but currently the experiment was conducted on a 10-liter batch process.

If processed on a pilot basis on a solar-powered unit of up to 100 liters capacity, the cost of biodiesel produced from fish waste can be 20 to 25 percent lower than conventional diesel.

Production of biodiesel from fish waste can be a profitable venture on a commercial basis. If the private sector invests, NED University is ready to provide technical assistance, including plant design.