In a landmark agreement aimed at propelling the production of Compressed Biogas (CBG) and advancing sustainable energy solutions, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) and Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORSL) have entered into a significant technology transfer agreement.
The collaboration centers around CSIR-IIP’s indigenously developed Vacuum Swing Adsorption (VSA) Technology, designed to upgrade raw biogas to pipeline-quality bio-methane.
The agreement was formalized yesterday, on June 24, 2024, at the Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi, during the curtain raiser ceremony of the “One Week One Theme” program of CSIR.
The event was graced by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Science and Technology and Vice President of CSIR, Dr. Jitendra Singh Ji, and Director General CSIR and Secretary DSIR, Dr. N Kalaiselvi Ji.
Under the terms of the agreement, CSIR-IIP will license its VSA Technology to ORSL. This state-of-the-art technology can process 350 m³/h of raw biogas, converting it into pipeline-quality bio-methane that meets stringent BIS 16087: 2016 specifications.
The flexibility of the VSA Technology allows for customization to meet the specific needs of different projects and clients, ensuring a wide range of applications from industrial fuel to vehicular alternative to compressed natural gas (CNG).
ORSL, known for its commitment to clean technology and innovative waste management solutions, operates a mixed municipal waste processing and biogas production facility in Solapur through its subsidiary, Solapur Bio-Energy Systems Private Limited.
This facility currently converts mixed municipal solid waste into biogas and compost, showcasing ORSL’s dedication to sustainable practices.
This collaboration is set to enhance biogas processing capabilities, providing a reliable and customizable solution for biogas upgradation.
It aligns with the Government of India’s ambitious goal of producing 15 million tons of CBG per annum by 2025, equivalent to about 35% of the current CNG consumption in the country.
Dr. Harender Singh Bisht, Director of CSIR-IIP, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “The transfer of CSIR-IIP developed vacuum swing adsorption technology for biogas upgradation to ORSL will pave the way for the market penetration of a robust CBG technology that will help to realize Government of India’s grand vision of producing 15 million tons per annum of CBG by 2025 which is equivalent to about 35% of the current consumption of CNG in the country”
Mr. Yashas Bhand, CEO of ORSL, added, “We are excited to integrate CSIRIIP’s VSA Technology into our offerings complementing the technologies for operations of biogas plants. Through this collaboration, we aim to set new benchmarks in biogas processing efficiency and quality, contributing to our commitment of bringing innovative and dependable solutions for the biogas sector among the other technologies available in our portfolio for purification of biogas for a sustainable renewable energy production.”
The agreement includes comprehensive technical support from CSIR-IIP to ORSL, covering technology transfer documents, training, and assistance in setting up biogas plants.
ORSL will ensure compliance with all procedural and legal requirements for commercial implementation.
This partnership highlights the commitment of both organizations to fostering innovation and sustainability in the energy sector.
By merging CSIR-IIP’s technological expertise with ORSL’s operational experience, the collaboration aims to create a robust framework for large-scale CBG production, driving significant advancements in the biogas sector and supporting local innovation and job creation.
