PM Assures Backing For KUET Project
Innovative Tech Yields Fuel From Waste
- Hydrothermal liquefaction delivers up to fifty-five percent biocrude oil yields from human sludge
- Planned pilot plant processing three tons of waste daily requires 120 crore BDT
- Commercialization could replace fifteen percent crude oil imports, saving billions in forex reserves
Advancing thermochemical conversion and cleantech engineering, researchers unveiled a pioneering breakthrough yielding biocrude oil from human waste and agricultural residues. On 10 October, Saturday morning, a live demonstration of the indigenous energy technology was held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. Observing the operational mechanics and commercial scalability of the system, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assured all administrative and financial assistance to support its field deployment.
Lead researcher Prof. Dr. Md. Khalekuzzaman from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) briefed the premier on the underlying biochemical and thermodynamic processes. Across a decade of laboratory research, the team deployed Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) to subject sewage sludge, human bio-solids, kitchen waste, and agricultural biomass to high heat and subcritical water pressure. Controlled laboratory trials achieved a 50 to 55 percent biocrude extraction yield, successfully refining diesel-rich hydrocarbon fuels from organic waste inputs.
The research team presented roadmaps to establish an operational pilot refinery handling 1 to 3 tons of mixed waste per day. The pilot facility will evaluate dynamic conversion efficiencies, thermochemical refining costs, and commercial viability, requiring an estimated capital investment of BDT 100 to 120 crore.
Techno-economic modeling indicates that scaling the HTL architecture across municipal sanitation networks could replace 10 to 15 percent of annual imported crude petroleum. This substitution holds the potential to conserve approximately BDT 6,500 to 13,000 crore in foreign currency reserves each year.
The research team underscored that state-backed commercial scaling would resolve critical municipal waste disposal challenges while expanding domestic green hydrocarbon production pipelines. Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, State Minister Anindya Islam Amit, University Grants Commission Member Prof. Abdullah Al Mamun, KUET Vice Chancellor Prof. Mohammad Mashud, and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation Chairman Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam attended the presentation, official sources confirmed.
//DBTech/PMO/SMP/BPO//
