Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has witnessed a demonstration of an innovative project to produce fuel oil from human waste and agricultural residues. After researchers presented their technology and its potential for commercial fuel production in Bangladesh, the prime minister assured them of all necessary support to implement the project.

The demonstration was held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, on Saturday morning (October 10).

During the event, the project’s principal researcher, Professor Dr. Md. Khalequzzaman of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), briefed the prime minister on the technology and various aspects of the research. The project uses human waste, sewage treatment plant sludge, kitchen waste and agricultural residues to produce fuel oil.

The prime minister listened to a detailed presentation on the project’s operations and future implementation plans. Considering its potential, he assured the researchers that the government would provide the necessary assistance to take the initiative forward.

Officials concerned said KUET researchers had made significant progress in producing biocrude oil from waste using hydrothermal liquefaction technology through nearly a decade of research. Laboratory experiments have already achieved biocrude yields of 50 to 55 per cent, according to the researchers. They also informed the prime minister of their success in producing diesel-rich biocrude.

The researchers plan to establish a pilot plant capable of processing one to three tonnes of waste daily in the next phase. The facility will be used to assess the technology’s performance, production costs and commercial viability. The proposed pilot project is estimated to require Tk 100 crore to Tk 120 crore.

According to those involved in the project, successful commercial expansion of the technology could potentially replace around 10 to 15 per cent of Bangladesh’s imported crude oil in the future. This could save foreign currency equivalent to an estimated Tk 6,500 crore to Tk 13,000 crore annually.

However, the technology’s performance and economic viability need to be assessed on a larger scale before its full commercial potential can be realised.

The researchers hope that successful commercialisation with government support will help address the country’s energy challenges and waste management problems. The technology could also reduce dependence on imported fuel, curb environmental pollution and create new opportunities for the development of the domestic energy industry.

Among those present at the event were Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Mahmud Tuku, State Minister Anindya Islam Amit, University Grants Commission (UGC) member for Public Management Professor Abdullah Al Mamun, KUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Masud, and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam.