ती . बाबा आणि सौ . आईस ,बंड्याचा शि . सा .न .वि .वि .
मी पुण्यात होस्टेलवर सुखरूप येऊन पोहोचलो . तुम्ही लगोलग मला बाईक घेऊन दिल्यामुळे माझी कॉलेजला आणि क्लासला जाण्याची मस्त सोय झालीय बरं का ! पुण्यात बाईक चालवायला जबरी मजा येते.पुणेकरांचे आवडीचे पूर्वीचे वाहन म्हणजे सायकल . आपल्या गावात देवाला सोडलेल्या रेड्याला जसे कोणीही काहीही करत नाहीत , तसेच इथे सायकलस्वारांना कोणताही नियम लागू नाही . पोलिसांची नजर चुकवून आणि शिट्टीचा इशारा ऐकून न ऐकल्यासारखे करून हे झक्कासपैकी पसार होतात. काय करणार ! सध्याचे लाइफच धावपळीचे झाले आहे . त्यांचा दोष कसा गं म्हणता येईल आई ?
इथल्या दुचाकीचालकांना ऊर्जाबचतीचे महत्त्व खूपच पटले आहे . त्यांच्या वाहनावरसुद्धा तीन जण आरामात बसतात . सिग्नलपाशी लाल दिवा असला तरी ते सहसा थांबत नाहीत ; कारण त्यामुळे पेट्रोल जास्त जळते . मी कुठेसे वाचले , की वळताना हात दाखवायचा, तर चौदा स्नायू वापरावे लागतात म्हणे. म्हणून हात दाखवायचे कष्ट कोणी घेत नाहीत. शिवाय हात दाखवून अवलक्षण करू नये म्हणतात. त्यामुळेच की काय काही रिक्षाचालक पायाने वळण्याचा इशारा करतात.
इथे सहा प्रवासी बसलेल्या रिक्षांना तीन आसनी रिक्षा म्हणतात आणि दहा प्रवासी बसलेल्या रिक्षांना सहा आसनी रिक्षा म्हणतात . आहे ना गंमत ? शाळांचे रिक्षावाले काका खूप प्रेमळ असतात . रिक्षात १२ - १५ मुले घेऊन ते मायेची भूक कशीबशी भागवितात. आई, पुणेकर फार लठ्ठ होऊ लागलेत असा अहवाल मध्यंतरी तू वाचला असशीलच. त्यावर उपाय म्हणून रिक्षावाले फक्त लांब अंतरावरचे प्रवासी स्वीकारतात . बसचालकांनाही पुणेकरांच्या लठ्ठपणाची खूप काळजी वाटते . त्यामुळे ते स्टॉपच्या अलीकडे किंवा पलीकडेच बस थांबवितात.
बाबा , येथील वाहतूक पोलिस पर्यावरणाबाबत सजग आहेत . एक कागद बनविण्यासाठी अनेक झाडे तोडावी लागतात. त्यामुळे नियम तोडणाऱ्याला कागदाची पावती फाडून दंड करणे ते गुन्हाच समजतात . मध्यंतरीच्या वादामुळे मोटारचालकांचा " लेन' या शब्दावर खूप राग आहे . "लेनची शिस्त पाळा ' असा फलक वाचला , की ते हटकून ती सूचना धुडकावतात . बाबा, दुसरी आनंदाची बातमी म्हणजे मला लायसन्स अगदी होस्टेलपोच मिळाले . कसे ते मात्र गावाला आलो की सांगेन !
( ता . क. - बंटीला मोकळ्या मैदानात सायकल शिकवू नका. मे महिन्यात मी त्याला कर्वे रस्त्यावर दोन दिवसांत शिकवेन)
तुमचा लाडका,
बंड्या!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Wedding INvitation.
If anyone has missed.. Please treat it as an invitation and be present there.
Yours,
Abhijit.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Won the Diversity Fair again!!
We (ISG, Fianance and HR depts) won the rolling trophy of diversity fair held in our company, Synygy INdia Pvt. Ltd. on Wednesday, 26th March 2008. We have made a hatrick as this was our third consecutive win!!
This time we represented "Janmashtami" of lord ShriKrishna. we got points for the decor, attires, puja, representation, food, etc. We also did "Dahi-Handi" celebration which was an awesome experience. I really enjoyed the event. Thanks to Synygy for providing such a great opportunity and also thanks to all my team-mates for making it happen. :-)
Check below for the pics.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy Holi!!
Warm wishes for Eid, Holi, Good Friday to all my dear friends and readers.
Have a great festival time!!
Cheers,
Abhijit.
Have a great festival time!!
Cheers,
Abhijit.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Getting Married!
For those dudes who don't know.. I am getting married with a sweet girl - Rupali, on 20th April 2008. I am really in the skies.. Its amazing feeling..
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
India ease to seven-wicket win
July 31, 2007 :
After all the excellent work done over the last four days, India needed only to complete the formalities on the final morning but they were made to work hard to polish off the remaining 63 runs. Led by a fiery spell from Chris Tremlett, England fought with plenty of heart, and India needed 21 overs before finally completing a seven-wicket victory, their fifth Test win in England and the first at Trent Bridge, to go 1-0 in the series.
Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik resumed the Indian innings at 10 for 0, and motored to 47 fairly comfortably. Karthik played a couple of handsome backfoot punches square on the off side, while Jaffer played his trademark effortless flicks. Both played and missed a few times off Ryan Sidebottom, but a ten-wicket win was on the cards when Tremlett struck - not once, but three times. England's only hope of gaining some brownie points was to take a few top-order wickets before the Oval Test, and Tremlett did that, nailing both openers with short balls that bounced more than the batsmen expected - Jaffer top-edged a pull to gully while Karthik nicked a beauty which bounced and seamed away.
Buoyed by those successes, Tremlett and James Anderson let rip at India's two most experienced batsmen. Both bowlers liberally dished out short-pitched deliveries, and then mixed it with pitched-up, awayswingers. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid played and missed a few times, before Tendulkar pushed at a short one off his hips straight to Alastair Cook at leg gully, who had been cleverly stationed for that stroke.
Dravid, though, patiently swayed out of the way of every short ball that came his way, and with a target of 73, victory was only a matter of time. The winning runs came when Tremlett bowled an inswinger that beat Sourav Ganguly and Matt Prior and raced down for four byes.
The victory means India have now won at least one Test in ten of their last 12 tours, but have only won two of those series against a team other than Bangladesh or Zimbabwe. With the last Test at The Oval - a venue which has traditionally produced belters - India have an excellent opportunity to go on and get that rare overseas series victory. England, on the other hand, haven't lost a series at home since the 2001 Ashes, which sets up the last game of this series quite splendidly.
After all the excellent work done over the last four days, India needed only to complete the formalities on the final morning but they were made to work hard to polish off the remaining 63 runs. Led by a fiery spell from Chris Tremlett, England fought with plenty of heart, and India needed 21 overs before finally completing a seven-wicket victory, their fifth Test win in England and the first at Trent Bridge, to go 1-0 in the series.
Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik resumed the Indian innings at 10 for 0, and motored to 47 fairly comfortably. Karthik played a couple of handsome backfoot punches square on the off side, while Jaffer played his trademark effortless flicks. Both played and missed a few times off Ryan Sidebottom, but a ten-wicket win was on the cards when Tremlett struck - not once, but three times. England's only hope of gaining some brownie points was to take a few top-order wickets before the Oval Test, and Tremlett did that, nailing both openers with short balls that bounced more than the batsmen expected - Jaffer top-edged a pull to gully while Karthik nicked a beauty which bounced and seamed away.
Buoyed by those successes, Tremlett and James Anderson let rip at India's two most experienced batsmen. Both bowlers liberally dished out short-pitched deliveries, and then mixed it with pitched-up, awayswingers. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid played and missed a few times, before Tendulkar pushed at a short one off his hips straight to Alastair Cook at leg gully, who had been cleverly stationed for that stroke.
Dravid, though, patiently swayed out of the way of every short ball that came his way, and with a target of 73, victory was only a matter of time. The winning runs came when Tremlett bowled an inswinger that beat Sourav Ganguly and Matt Prior and raced down for four byes.
The victory means India have now won at least one Test in ten of their last 12 tours, but have only won two of those series against a team other than Bangladesh or Zimbabwe. With the last Test at The Oval - a venue which has traditionally produced belters - India have an excellent opportunity to go on and get that rare overseas series victory. England, on the other hand, haven't lost a series at home since the 2001 Ashes, which sets up the last game of this series quite splendidly.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
RBI keeps key interest rates unchanged
April 24, 2007 12:09 IST
The Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday left all key interests rates unchanged and announced steps that would pave the way for lower interest rates on home loans in its annual Monetary and Credit Policy -- aimed at sustaining growth without fuelling inflation.
Unveiling the Annual Policy Statement for 2007-08, the Reserve Bank also lowered the growth forecast for 2007-08 to 8.5 per cent and promised to keep the inflation close to 5 per cent, bringing comfort to commoners.
Announcing a feel-good policy, the apex bank Governor Y V Reddy took a number of initiatives toward capital account convertibility and encouraging hedging of price risk on global commodity exchanges.
The RBI kept Bank Rate kept unchanged at 6.0 per cent, and also kept the reverse Repo Rate and Repo Rate unchanged at 6.00 per cent and 7.75 per cent, respectively.
Cash reserve ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks at 6.5 per cent with effect from the fortnight beginning April 28, 2007, as announced on March 30, 2007.
The Reserve Bank retained the option to conduct overnight repo or longer term repo under the LAF depending on market conditions and other relevant factors; and the RBI will continue to use this flexibility including the right to accept or reject tender(s) under the LAF, wholly or partially, if deemed fit, so as to make efficient use of the LAF in daily liquidity management.
Highlights of the Credit Policy
Reddy also put in place measures to develop the corporate bond market, futures contract, establishment of credit information companies and a number of steps to help distressed farmers and micro-finance.
Some of the other measures announced include:
GDP growth projection for 2007-08 at around 8.5 per cent.
Inflation to be contained close to 5.0 per cent during 2007-08. Going forward, the resolve is to condition policy and perceptions for inflation in the range of 4.0-4.5 per cent over the medium term.
M3 expansion to be contained at around 17.0-17.5 per cent during 2007-08.
Introduction of a credit guarantee scheme for distressed farmers.
Indian banks permitted to extend credit and non-credit facilities to step-down subsidiaries within the existing prudential limits and some additional safeguards.
Banks and primary dealers permitted to begin transactions in single-entity credit default swaps.
RBI announced that risk weight on the residential housing loans to individuals would be reduced to 50 per cent from 75 per cent as a temporary measure, keeping in view the default experience and other relevant factors. This step would be applicable to loans up to Rs 20 lakh and will be reviewed after one year, the policy said. This measure would leave banks with more money to lend for the housing sector and probably make interest rates attractive for loans up to Rs 20 lakh.
The policy statement said:
"While there is evidence of structural changes underlying the recent Indian growth experience, there are also indications that the upsurge of demand pressures may contain a cyclical component. The structural changes include a step up in the investment rate supported by a sizeable increase in the rate of gross domestic saving, the growing linkages of the Indian economy with the global economy and the indications of improvements in productivity in industry and services.
"Among the cyclical factors, first, robust global GDP growth has been supportive of high growth in India. Second, the persistence of high growth in bank credit and money supply, the pick-up in non-oil import growth and the widening of the trade deficit together indicate pressures on aggregate demand. Third, cyclical forces are also evident in the steady increase in prices of manufactures, resurgence of pricing power among corporates, indications of wage pressures in some sectors, strained capacity utilisation and elevated asset prices.
"A significant worrisome feature of domestic developments in 2006-07 is the firming up of inflation, which represents the key downside risk to the evolving macroeconomic outlook. The recent hardening of international crude prices has heightened the uncertainty surrounding the inflation outlook.
"A careful assessment of the manner in which inflation is evolving in India reveals that primary food articles have contributed significantly to inflation during 2006-07. At the same time, prices of manufactured products account for well above 50 per cent of headline inflation.
"Indian financial markets have experienced some volatility in the fourth quarter of 2006-07 alongside sizeable swings in liquidity and a hardening of interest rates across the spectrum. During episodes of tightness, contrasting conditions were often observed when short-term interest rates had firmed up but long-term rates had declined in the Government securities market.
"While capital flows to emerging market economies and, in particular, to Asia in 2006 have reflected the improvement in macroeconomic performance, they were also driven by a search for yields and a stronger appetite for risk. Consequently, reversals of capital flows can pose challenges to emerging economies, particularly in the context of withdrawal of monetary accommodation in developed economies.
"In the event of demand pressures building up, increases in interest rates may be advocated to preserve and sustain growth in a non-inflationary manner. Such monetary policy responses, however, increase the possibility of further capital inflows, apart from the associated costs for growth and potential risks to financial stability. Thus, foreign exchange inflows can potentially reduce the efficacy of monetary policy tightening by expanding liquidity."
Belying all expectations on monetary tightening, Reddy kept bank rate unchanged at 6 per cent, short term repo rate at 7.75 per cent and cash reserve ratio at 6.5 per cent.
RBI had hiked key short term repo rate five times since June 2006 and Cash Reserve Ratio three times in two tranches since December last in a bid to suck out liquidity to douse inflation, hovering over 6 per cent.
The annual policy, however, expresses confidence to contain inflation close to five per cent in 2007-08 and with a medium term policy objective of keeping it in the range of 4 to 4.5 per cent.
"The objective would be conducive for maintaining self accelerating growth over the medium term," Reddy said.
The Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday left all key interests rates unchanged and announced steps that would pave the way for lower interest rates on home loans in its annual Monetary and Credit Policy -- aimed at sustaining growth without fuelling inflation.
Unveiling the Annual Policy Statement for 2007-08, the Reserve Bank also lowered the growth forecast for 2007-08 to 8.5 per cent and promised to keep the inflation close to 5 per cent, bringing comfort to commoners.
Announcing a feel-good policy, the apex bank Governor Y V Reddy took a number of initiatives toward capital account convertibility and encouraging hedging of price risk on global commodity exchanges.
The RBI kept Bank Rate kept unchanged at 6.0 per cent, and also kept the reverse Repo Rate and Repo Rate unchanged at 6.00 per cent and 7.75 per cent, respectively.
Cash reserve ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks at 6.5 per cent with effect from the fortnight beginning April 28, 2007, as announced on March 30, 2007.
The Reserve Bank retained the option to conduct overnight repo or longer term repo under the LAF depending on market conditions and other relevant factors; and the RBI will continue to use this flexibility including the right to accept or reject tender(s) under the LAF, wholly or partially, if deemed fit, so as to make efficient use of the LAF in daily liquidity management.
Highlights of the Credit Policy
Reddy also put in place measures to develop the corporate bond market, futures contract, establishment of credit information companies and a number of steps to help distressed farmers and micro-finance.
Some of the other measures announced include:
GDP growth projection for 2007-08 at around 8.5 per cent.
Inflation to be contained close to 5.0 per cent during 2007-08. Going forward, the resolve is to condition policy and perceptions for inflation in the range of 4.0-4.5 per cent over the medium term.
M3 expansion to be contained at around 17.0-17.5 per cent during 2007-08.
Introduction of a credit guarantee scheme for distressed farmers.
Indian banks permitted to extend credit and non-credit facilities to step-down subsidiaries within the existing prudential limits and some additional safeguards.
Banks and primary dealers permitted to begin transactions in single-entity credit default swaps.
RBI announced that risk weight on the residential housing loans to individuals would be reduced to 50 per cent from 75 per cent as a temporary measure, keeping in view the default experience and other relevant factors. This step would be applicable to loans up to Rs 20 lakh and will be reviewed after one year, the policy said. This measure would leave banks with more money to lend for the housing sector and probably make interest rates attractive for loans up to Rs 20 lakh.
The policy statement said:
"While there is evidence of structural changes underlying the recent Indian growth experience, there are also indications that the upsurge of demand pressures may contain a cyclical component. The structural changes include a step up in the investment rate supported by a sizeable increase in the rate of gross domestic saving, the growing linkages of the Indian economy with the global economy and the indications of improvements in productivity in industry and services.
"Among the cyclical factors, first, robust global GDP growth has been supportive of high growth in India. Second, the persistence of high growth in bank credit and money supply, the pick-up in non-oil import growth and the widening of the trade deficit together indicate pressures on aggregate demand. Third, cyclical forces are also evident in the steady increase in prices of manufactures, resurgence of pricing power among corporates, indications of wage pressures in some sectors, strained capacity utilisation and elevated asset prices.
"A significant worrisome feature of domestic developments in 2006-07 is the firming up of inflation, which represents the key downside risk to the evolving macroeconomic outlook. The recent hardening of international crude prices has heightened the uncertainty surrounding the inflation outlook.
"A careful assessment of the manner in which inflation is evolving in India reveals that primary food articles have contributed significantly to inflation during 2006-07. At the same time, prices of manufactured products account for well above 50 per cent of headline inflation.
"Indian financial markets have experienced some volatility in the fourth quarter of 2006-07 alongside sizeable swings in liquidity and a hardening of interest rates across the spectrum. During episodes of tightness, contrasting conditions were often observed when short-term interest rates had firmed up but long-term rates had declined in the Government securities market.
"While capital flows to emerging market economies and, in particular, to Asia in 2006 have reflected the improvement in macroeconomic performance, they were also driven by a search for yields and a stronger appetite for risk. Consequently, reversals of capital flows can pose challenges to emerging economies, particularly in the context of withdrawal of monetary accommodation in developed economies.
"In the event of demand pressures building up, increases in interest rates may be advocated to preserve and sustain growth in a non-inflationary manner. Such monetary policy responses, however, increase the possibility of further capital inflows, apart from the associated costs for growth and potential risks to financial stability. Thus, foreign exchange inflows can potentially reduce the efficacy of monetary policy tightening by expanding liquidity."
Belying all expectations on monetary tightening, Reddy kept bank rate unchanged at 6 per cent, short term repo rate at 7.75 per cent and cash reserve ratio at 6.5 per cent.
RBI had hiked key short term repo rate five times since June 2006 and Cash Reserve Ratio three times in two tranches since December last in a bid to suck out liquidity to douse inflation, hovering over 6 per cent.
The annual policy, however, expresses confidence to contain inflation close to five per cent in 2007-08 and with a medium term policy objective of keeping it in the range of 4 to 4.5 per cent.
"The objective would be conducive for maintaining self accelerating growth over the medium term," Reddy said.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
A SUGAR INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE & ETHANOL PRODUCTION
A SUGAR INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE & ETHANOL PRODUCTION India is the largest producer of sugar in the world. In terms of sugarcane production, India and Brazil are almost equally placed. In Brazil, out of the total cane available for crushing, 45% goes for sugar production and 55% for the production of ethanol directly from sugarcane juice. This gives the sugar industry in Brazil an additional flexibility to adjust its sugar production keeping in view the sugar price in the international market as nearly 40% of the sugar output is exported. The annual projected growth rate in the area under sugarcane at 1.5% per annum has doubled during the last five years. This is because it is considered to be an assured cash crop with good returns to the farmers vis-a-vis other competing crops. India is currently passing through a glut situation with closing stocks at the end of the year of over 100 lakh tons since 1999-2000. Correspondingly, molasses production has also increased. The table below gives the production of molasses, alcohol utilization by the alcohol-based chemical industry, potable sector and the surplus at the end of each year. It is therefore evident that along with sugarcane production, phenomenal growth is also taking place in the production of molasses, the basic raw material for the production of ethanol from sugarcane. Of course, there are also other agro routes available to produce ethanol. According to MPNG, 5% ethanol blends on an all-India basis would require 500 million liters. The current availability of molasses and alcohol would be adequate to meet this requirement after fully meeting the requirement of the chemical industry and potable sectors. AVAILABILITY In the absence of a well knit policy in the past for purchasing and blending ethanol, not many distilleries have been producing ethanol. Only three distilleries attached to sugar mills had war years’ experience, and were able to gear themselves up to supply ethanol immediately. Now, about 11 factories in Uttar Pradesh will be adding facilities to produce about 75 million liters of anhydrous alcohol by end-September; 7 units in Tamil Nadu (production capacity of 62.5 million liters of anhydrous alcohol); 8 in Karnataka (anhydrous alcohol production capacity of 66.5 million liters); and 4 units in Andhra Pradesh (capacity of over 40 million liters). Similar steps have also be taken up by the cooperative sector units in Maharashtra, Punjab and UP. By the end of the year it is estimated that about 300 million liters capacity would have been created for the production of anhydrous alcohol. As capacities are built up, the oil sector should also be able to generate that much demand for ethanol to guard against any idling capacity. The Petroleum Ministry may therefore like to look into this matter and ensure that the oil sector speeds up the creation of requisite facilities for blending ethanol with petrol. So far generation of demand for ethanol has been very low and it takes considerable time for IOC’s units to finalize purchase of ethanol against offers made by distilleries in response to their tenders. In the Indian Sugar Mill Association, this matter was recently examined and it was concluded that instead of taking up the scheme on a state-wise basis, it would be appropriate to take it up in metropolitan and other cities where environmental pollution is a major concern. The blending should be taken up to 10% and introduced selectively to make a better impact on the environment, as no changes in the engine or carburetor are required, and other countries are already carrying this out successfully. COST There is considerable scope for further reduction in the cost of production of both sugarcane and sugar in India with liberalization of controls on the sugar industry. Consolidation of land holdings and corporate farming on the raw material side and expansion of capacity on the unit size are important developments and would lead to substantial improvements in productivity, thereby rendering India a cost-effective producer of sugar in the world. The area under sugarcane is presently less than 2% of total cultivable area in the country and about 3% of the irrigated area. There is considerable scope for increasing the area under sugarcane considering the fact that it is more profitable compared to other crops. The Planning Commission has visualized a conservative increase in area under sugarcane by 6 lakh hectares during the 10th Plan period, but considering past trends, the area under cane is likely to exceed 5 million hectares (see table). During the 10th Plan period, the annual incremental growth in consumption has been estimated at 9 lakh tons per annum. For the first time the Indian Government has fixed a target of 15 lakh tons per annum for export for this period. However, the production target was fixed at 21.3 million tons keeping in view the large carry forward stocks at the beginning of the period and to correct the demand-supply distortions presently caused. These targets are achievable looking at the performance of the industry in the past with a production of 18.5 million tons achieved in 2000-01. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the sugar industry will not be lacking in meeting the requirement of ethanol. In a market economy, there would be a considerable shift from the gur and khandsari sectors which are inefficient producers with poor quality. In the current scenario of glut in sugar production, it may be advisable to divert such additional cane for the production of alcohol after meeting the sweetener requirement. The additional availability of alcohol on the assumption that the entire cane is utilized for the production of sweeteners will be about 200 million liters over and above that indicated in the table. Alternatively, if additional cane available is utilized for the production of alcohol to bring in a balance in the demand and supply of sugar, the alcohoI production at the end of the 10th Plan would be around 1,485 million liters. Such a flexibility has become very relevant in the current scenario of economy liberalization and more particularly as a means to correct the aberrations in sugar production.
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Thursday, June 01, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
ALFA LAVAL INDIA:Sinsurang Distillery(THAILAND )ready for commercial production
Sinsurang Distillery ready for commercial production
Thanks to the exemplary team effort by our commissioning team of Javaji Prasad, Umesh Lakhdive, Jaysingh Parade and CG Londhe and the co operation extended by Alfa Laval Thailand team, for making it possible to hand over a 30 KLPD distillery in Thailand for commercial production. The customer was satisfied as the plant could meet all the guaranteed performance parameters
The customer is Sinsurang Liquor Company at Thailand. The distillery will produce of 30,000 liters of potable alcohol per day from sugar cane molasses. The plant is completely automated Fermentation and Distillation plant. The Distillation is a Multi-Pressure 6 column distillation system to produce fine grade of Extra Neutral alcohol for liquor manufacturing.
Though Alfa Laval India had earlier completed Ethanol dehydration plants in Thailand, this is the first distillery project commissioned on Turnkey basis.
........Source Alfa Laval India
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
WHAT IS FUEL ETHANOL !!
WHAT IS FUEL ETHANOL
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, ETOH) is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic, agreeable odor. In dilute aqueous solution, it has a somewhat sweet flavor, but in more concentrated solutions it has a burning taste. Ethanol, CH3CH2OH, is an alcohol, a group of chemical compounds whose molecules contain a hydroxyl group, -OH, bonded to a carbon atom. The word alcohol derives from Arabic al-kuhul, which denotes a fine powder of antimony produced by distilling antimony and used as an eye makeup. Alcohol originally referred to any fine powder, but medieval alchemists later applied the term to the refined products of distillation, and this led to the current usage.
Ethanol melts at -114.1°C, boils at 78.5°C, and has a density of 0.789 g/mL at 20°C. Its low freezing point has made it useful as the fluid in thermometers for temperatures below -40°C, the freezing point of mercury, and for other low-temperature purposes, such as for antifreeze in automobile radiators.
Ethanol has been made since ancient times by the fermentation of sugars. All beverage ethanol and more than half of industrial ethanol is still made by this process. Simple sugars are the raw material. Zymase, an enzyme from yeast, changes the simple sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The fermentation reaction, represented by the simple equation C6H12O6 2 CH3CH2OH + 2 CO2 is actually very complex, and impure cultures of yeast produce varying amounts of other substances, including glycerine and various organic acids. In the production of beverages, such as whiskey and brandy, the impurities supply the flavor. Starches from potatoes, corn, wheat, and other plants can also be used in the production of ethanol by fermentation. However, the starches must first be broken down into simple sugars. An enzyme released by germinating barley, diastase, converts starches into sugars. Thus, the germination of barley, called malting, is the first step in brewing beer from starchy plants, such as corn and wheat.
ETHANOL AS A FUEL
Ethanol is used as an automotive fuel by itself and can be mixed with gasoline to form what has been called "gasohol" FUEL ETHANOL- the most common blends contain 10% ethanol and 85% ethanol mixed with gasoline. Over 1 billion gallons of ethanol are blended with gasoline every year in the United States. Because the ethanol molecule contains oxygen, it allows the engine to more completely combust the fuel, resulting in fewer emissions. Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of the sun, ethanol is also considered a renewable fuel. Therefore, ethanol has many advantages as an automotive fuel.
Most industrial ethanol is denatured to prevent its use as a beverage. Denatured ethanol contains small amounts, 1 or 2 percent each, of several different unpleasant or poisonous substances. The removal of all these substances would involve a series of treatments more expensive than the federal excise tax on alcoholic beverages (currently about $20 per gallon). These denaturants render ethanol unfit for some industrial uses. In such industries undenatured ethanol is used under close federal supervision.
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, ETOH) is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic, agreeable odor. In dilute aqueous solution, it has a somewhat sweet flavor, but in more concentrated solutions it has a burning taste. Ethanol, CH3CH2OH, is an alcohol, a group of chemical compounds whose molecules contain a hydroxyl group, -OH, bonded to a carbon atom. The word alcohol derives from Arabic al-kuhul, which denotes a fine powder of antimony produced by distilling antimony and used as an eye makeup. Alcohol originally referred to any fine powder, but medieval alchemists later applied the term to the refined products of distillation, and this led to the current usage.
Ethanol melts at -114.1°C, boils at 78.5°C, and has a density of 0.789 g/mL at 20°C. Its low freezing point has made it useful as the fluid in thermometers for temperatures below -40°C, the freezing point of mercury, and for other low-temperature purposes, such as for antifreeze in automobile radiators.
Ethanol has been made since ancient times by the fermentation of sugars. All beverage ethanol and more than half of industrial ethanol is still made by this process. Simple sugars are the raw material. Zymase, an enzyme from yeast, changes the simple sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The fermentation reaction, represented by the simple equation C6H12O6 2 CH3CH2OH + 2 CO2 is actually very complex, and impure cultures of yeast produce varying amounts of other substances, including glycerine and various organic acids. In the production of beverages, such as whiskey and brandy, the impurities supply the flavor. Starches from potatoes, corn, wheat, and other plants can also be used in the production of ethanol by fermentation. However, the starches must first be broken down into simple sugars. An enzyme released by germinating barley, diastase, converts starches into sugars. Thus, the germination of barley, called malting, is the first step in brewing beer from starchy plants, such as corn and wheat.
ETHANOL AS A FUEL
Ethanol is used as an automotive fuel by itself and can be mixed with gasoline to form what has been called "gasohol" FUEL ETHANOL- the most common blends contain 10% ethanol and 85% ethanol mixed with gasoline. Over 1 billion gallons of ethanol are blended with gasoline every year in the United States. Because the ethanol molecule contains oxygen, it allows the engine to more completely combust the fuel, resulting in fewer emissions. Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of the sun, ethanol is also considered a renewable fuel. Therefore, ethanol has many advantages as an automotive fuel.
Most industrial ethanol is denatured to prevent its use as a beverage. Denatured ethanol contains small amounts, 1 or 2 percent each, of several different unpleasant or poisonous substances. The removal of all these substances would involve a series of treatments more expensive than the federal excise tax on alcoholic beverages (currently about $20 per gallon). These denaturants render ethanol unfit for some industrial uses. In such industries undenatured ethanol is used under close federal supervision.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
It’s Time To Celebrate For Ethanol Manufacturers !!
It’s Time To Celebrate For Ethanol Manufacturers
After a long wait, the change in Petroleum Ministry chair has brought a good news to celebrate for ethanol manufacturers in India. It is said that the center would shortly issue a notification making ethanol blending mandatory from October 2006. The new norms would apply to both public sector as well as private sector players. Initially a 5% blend would be allowed and implemented successfully & this would be increased to 10% by October 2007.
We believe, only resolution would not solve the objective, but a close micro-level monitoring & closing of all escape routes for not blending ethanol by oil corporations should be checked. A tax incentive to the program at this stage would definitely “make the oil corporations blend ethanol out of goodwill”.
Secondly it is seen that price disputes between ethanol suppliers and oil corporations remain the core problem area. Meetings are being conducted between ISMA (Indian Sugar Mill Association) and Ethanol Manufacturers Association officials to derive certain formula for price fixing. As current prices of ethanol offered by oil corporations is Rs. 18.75 is very less as the process of Special Denaturant Spirit (94.68% alcohol) is fetching a price around Rs. 21.00 to 21.50 (May 2006) itself. Hence the sugar factories are more happy to sell 94.68 % alcohol (SDS) than to convert it to ethanol and sell it at a lower price.
The ethanol manufacturers should come out with a parameter and memorandum to establish and assure an uninterrupted supply (lot work to do).
At the current situation the Northern part of India has stated blending not in full fledged. But Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat & the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu are yet to restart full fledge. Only one manufacturer XL Telecom ltd (Ethanol Division) has courageously come forward to supply at the rate of Rs. 18.75.
On the other hand India has a lot potential for flexible fuel vehicles. As it is shows that by 2010 it is estimated that India will have 36 times more cars than it did in 1990. (Watch out China! USA?).
While some news has emerged of Indian companies in Private sector to develop ethanol in large scale plants from non-molasses routes in rural parts of India.
Reliance Industries Limited is planning to set up an ethanol extraction plant at Kurkumbh. Farmers should celebrate as then can afford to give a sound rate to their sugarcane. The ethanol manufacturers should not worry as ethanol they proposed to produce will be consumed for their mono-ethylene glycol unit itself & will not be using for petrol blending. (Get in touch with Business Brains for exact statistics of future demand and supply.)
To conclude , it’s bright future for ethanol & the black period is over. Only request to the government is to be fixed with the resolution of making ethanol mandatory & monitor the successful running of the ethanol programme.
* Brief from Asia’s highest rated web portal on ethanol www.ethanolindia.net
After a long wait, the change in Petroleum Ministry chair has brought a good news to celebrate for ethanol manufacturers in India. It is said that the center would shortly issue a notification making ethanol blending mandatory from October 2006. The new norms would apply to both public sector as well as private sector players. Initially a 5% blend would be allowed and implemented successfully & this would be increased to 10% by October 2007.
We believe, only resolution would not solve the objective, but a close micro-level monitoring & closing of all escape routes for not blending ethanol by oil corporations should be checked. A tax incentive to the program at this stage would definitely “make the oil corporations blend ethanol out of goodwill”.
Secondly it is seen that price disputes between ethanol suppliers and oil corporations remain the core problem area. Meetings are being conducted between ISMA (Indian Sugar Mill Association) and Ethanol Manufacturers Association officials to derive certain formula for price fixing. As current prices of ethanol offered by oil corporations is Rs. 18.75 is very less as the process of Special Denaturant Spirit (94.68% alcohol) is fetching a price around Rs. 21.00 to 21.50 (May 2006) itself. Hence the sugar factories are more happy to sell 94.68 % alcohol (SDS) than to convert it to ethanol and sell it at a lower price.
The ethanol manufacturers should come out with a parameter and memorandum to establish and assure an uninterrupted supply (lot work to do).
At the current situation the Northern part of India has stated blending not in full fledged. But Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat & the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu are yet to restart full fledge. Only one manufacturer XL Telecom ltd (Ethanol Division) has courageously come forward to supply at the rate of Rs. 18.75.
On the other hand India has a lot potential for flexible fuel vehicles. As it is shows that by 2010 it is estimated that India will have 36 times more cars than it did in 1990. (Watch out China! USA?).
While some news has emerged of Indian companies in Private sector to develop ethanol in large scale plants from non-molasses routes in rural parts of India.
Reliance Industries Limited is planning to set up an ethanol extraction plant at Kurkumbh. Farmers should celebrate as then can afford to give a sound rate to their sugarcane. The ethanol manufacturers should not worry as ethanol they proposed to produce will be consumed for their mono-ethylene glycol unit itself & will not be using for petrol blending. (Get in touch with Business Brains for exact statistics of future demand and supply.)
To conclude , it’s bright future for ethanol & the black period is over. Only request to the government is to be fixed with the resolution of making ethanol mandatory & monitor the successful running of the ethanol programme.
* Brief from Asia’s highest rated web portal on ethanol www.ethanolindia.net
Monday, May 08, 2006
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