DIESEL-ISOBUTANOL BLENDING FROM ’26 Context:INDIA is set to introduce a mandate for blending isobutanol with diesel later this year, Road Transport and Highways Sec-retary said at CII Multimodal Transportation and Logistics Summit in New Delhi. About Isobutanol Isobutanol (C₄H₁₀O) is a four-carbon alcohol that appears as a clear, combustible liquid. It has a higher energy content than ethanol, making it an attractive alternative fuel component. Besides its traditional use as a solvent in paints and coatings, it is increasingly being evaluated as a renewable blending agent for diesel fuels. Production Process Isobutanol is manufactured through the fermentation of sugar-rich feedstocks such as sugarcane juice, molasses, and cereal grains. Specially engineered microorganisms convert these sugars into isobutanol under controlled, sterile fermentation conditions. In sugar-processing facilities, production typically requires modifications to existing fermentation vessels along with distillation systems capable of separating both ethanol and isobutanol from the fermentation broth. Key Characteristics Improved Safety: Isobutanol has a higher flash point than ethanol, making it less volatile and safer to handle when blended with diesel fuel. Superior Blend Compatibility: It mixes more effectively with diesel and generally does not require additional additives to maintain blend stability. Higher Energy Content: Its greater calorific value compared to ethanol can contribute to better fuel economy and engine performance. Adaptable Manufacturing: Isobutanol can be produced alongside ethanol using existing biofuel infrastructure with only limited equipment upgrades. Environmental Advantages: Its use as a fuel blendstock may help reduce particulate matter emissions and lower the overall carbon footprint of transportation fuels. Weather monitoring system Context:Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences on Friday inaugurated India’s first “SkyCast” aviation weather monitoring system at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi, saying the country has entered a new era of “fog-free, weather-smart aviation”. Developed under the…
