Isobutanol and Diesel

Why in news:

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari recently announced that the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is exploring the possibility of blending isobutanol with diesel. This comes after earlier attempts to blend ethanol with diesel were unsuccessful.

UPSC Relevance :

Fuel and Energy has been a recurrent theme in Prelims.

UPSC PYQ Prelims 2020:

Q: According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?

1. Cassava

2. Damaged wheat grains

3. Groundnut seeds

4. Horse grams

5. Rotten potatoes

6. Sugar beet

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only

(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only

(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Prelims 2025:

Q. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter.

Statement II: Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

[A] Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I

[B] Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement

[C] Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct

[D] Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

Isobutanol:

• Description: Clear, colourless, flammable liquid with a characteristic odour
• Soluble in water.

Why Isobutanol?

• Higher flash point → safer compared to ethanol.
• Can provide better ignition and engine performance.
• More miscibility with diesel, forming a stable mixture.

Produce from biomass such as corn, sugarcane, or agricultural residues.

Why GOI want to Blend isobutanol:

• Ethanol blending with diesel failed mainly due to lower flash point (higher volatility and fire risk). Isobutanol is an alcohol-based compound with inflammable properties, used as a solvent in industries and as a potential biofuel.

Why it matter?

• It is being seen as an important contributor to the government’s objective of scaling the net zero emission target by 2070.
• Isobutanol’s properties are better than ethanol for blending diesel.
• Isobutanol can be produced from the same feedstock required to produce ethanol, such as sugarcane syrup and molasses and grains, among others.

“A plant with a production capacity of 150 kilo litres per day (klp/d) can easily produce 125 klp/d of ethanol and 20 klp/d of isobutanol without a lot of changes to the overall
infrastructure,”

For Ethanol Pls visit:– https://anantamias.com/current-affairs/e-20-fuel/

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