Activities on Biofuel;
Resources Collection and Awareness Campaigning
Dr. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal and his Team have devoted their research work on sustainable
biodiesel production through fuel processing technology, for which they have claimed that the
novel catalyst has been developed. The crude oil, which is the main stay for fuel making process,
should be produced in the country to offer the sustainability. To achieve both of these objectives,
a)
b)
c)
d)
Fig.1. Feedstocks survey and social awareness: a)a jatropha plantation site in Babiyachaur, Surkhet b)
exploration of catalysts at Surkhet and nearby areas c)Motivating high school students of the area d)
All Science Teachers of the VDC
Dr. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal and Technical Assistant, Mr. Sundar KC has visited Western, Mid
Western, and Far Western Development Zone to inspire the farmers therein to cultivate jatropha,
to collect jatropha seeds and potential natural minerals as fuel catalysts, from these regions. They
have found that the jatropha has been cultivated in the reason where there is abundant supply of
possible catalyst for transesterification, suggesting the low cost processing technology in many
localities. Dr. Dhakal’s Team has collected the jatropha from different part of Surkhet, Bajhang,
Dhangadhi, Dadeldhura and Chitawan. Similarly they have collected the minerals from Surkhet,
Palpa, Dhading to investigate the best catalyst available in the country.
Dr. Dhakal and his team has envisaged that in addition to establishing processing technology, the
public campaign has utmost important throughout the country to establish the the end use of
biodiesel. To achieve this goal, Dr. Dhakal presented his country status paper as a invited
speaker on International Conference on Science and Technology entitled “Emerging Trends in
Fig.2. Dr. Dhakal presenting Bioenergy strategy and inspiring the aspiring and curious students at Central
Campus of Technology, Hattisar, Dharan.
Science and Technology” being held at Biratnagar in March 22-23, 2014, based on findings of
the research work. After deliberation of his talk on, “Energy Crisis Mitigation and Self
Sufficiency by Development of Novel Biodiesel Processing Technology” in the conference, Dr.
Dhakal has shared the
research activities of the
NAST along with its
own bioenergy research
activities
in
many
Science and Technology
institution in the region
namely,
Manamohan
a)
b)
Polytechnic
Institute,
Biratnagar,
Morang, Fig.3. Dr. Dhakal presenting interacting on the issue of Bioenergy strategy
Damak Multiple Public and inspiring the aspiring and curious students and faculties at a) Mechi
Campus, Damak, Jhapa, Campus, Bhadrapur b) Birendra Multiple Campus, Bharatpur, Chitawan
Mechi
Campus,
Bhadrapur, Jhapa, Central Technology Campus, Dharan, Sunsari to inspire the young student to
carry out possible research activities in Science and Technology, in general and Bioenergy in
particular.
The program has received the huge crowd of the student and faculties and found that the program
was effective enough to sensitize the bioenergy issues in the region. His assertive presentation
has spread the strong message of need on biofuel research and development in the country. More
importantly, the conference adopted the resolution as presented by Dr. Dhakal on underlining the
importance of biodiesel as an alternative fuel in the country along with waste management of
Biratnagar as Industrial city at the end. While coming back from Eastern Development Region,
Dr. Dhakal was invited by the faculties of Birendra Multiple campus to inspire the students and
faculties to get indulged in research. The whole trip has adequately draws the attention of the
concerned stakeholders that could possibly support the academic environment in general and
Bioenergy research in particular in the days to come.