%0 Journal Article
%T Prospect of Pongamia pinnata (Karanja) in Bangladesh: A Sustainable Source of Liquid Fuel
%A P. K. Halder
%A N. Paul
%A M. R. A. Beg
%J Journal of Renewable Energy
%D 2014
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2014/647324
%X Energy is the basic requirement for the existence of human being in today¡¯s digital world. Indigenous energy of Bangladesh (especially natural gas and diesel) is basically used in power generation and depleting hastily to meet the increasing power demand. Therefore, special emphasis has been given to produce alternative liquid fuel worldwide to overcome the crisis of diesel. Pongamia pinnata (karanja) may be an emerging option for providing biooil for biodiesel production. Although karanja biooil has been used as a source of traditional medicines in Bangladesh, it can also be used for rural illumination. This paper outlines the medical and energy aspects of Pongamia pinnata. It has been assessed that Bangladesh can utilize about 128.95£¿PJ through Pongamia cultivation in unused lands. The paper reviews the potentiality of Pongamia pinnata as a source of biodiesel and its benefits in Bangladesh. The paper also revives that, about 0.52 million tons of biodiesel can be produced only utilizing the unused lands per year in sustainable basis as it reduces CO2, CO, HC, and NOx emission compared to pure diesel. 1. Introduction Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (family: Leguminosae) is an important nonedible minor oilseed tree [1] that grows in the semiarid regions. It is probably originated from India and grows naturally in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Florida, and Sri Lanka and also in northeastern Australia, Fiji, Japan, and the Philippines [2]. In the USA Pongamia pinnata was introduced into Hawaii in the 1960s by Hillebrand [3]. In Bangladesh it is popularly known as Koroch. It is an adaptable tree for tropical and subtropical regions which requires excellent drainage and a sunny location. In India, billions of karanja trees exist where karanja trees are cultivated commercially and seed is collected from December to April. However, in Bangladesh it is not cultivated commercially yet. In India, one person can collect 180£¿kg of seeds in 8 hours of a day where the collection cost is INR 4 per kg [4]. 1.1. Classification £¿Kingdom: Plantae£¿Division: Magnoliophyta£¿Class: Magnoliopsida£¿Order: Fabales£¿Family: Leguminosae£¿Genus: Pongamia£¿Species: pinnataSource: [5] 1.2. Botanic and Chemical Characteristics Pongamia pinnata (chromosome number: 22) is a very fast-growing medium size plant with an average height of 30¨C40£¿feet and spreads canopy for casting moderate shade. Pongamia pinnata has a varied habitat distribution and can grow in a wide range of conditions. It can grow in various types of soil like salty, alkaline, hefty clay,
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jre/2014/647324/