Dubai’s Roads And Transport Authority (RTA) is initiating an experiment converting used cooking and animal oils into biodiesel in a bid to power traditional abras.
Used cooking oil to fuel abras
Recycling used cooking oils could seriously shape the future of the fuel industry, thanks to the introduction of biofuel. Simply put, it’s a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that can help reduce the world’s dependence on the oil sector. Some of the major components include vegetable oils, animal fats and used restaurant grease that goes through transesterification, a chemical process that converts them into fatty acid methyl esters, a renewable alternative fuel.
Recently, Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency announced a pilot phase in collaboration with the ENOC Group to supply five abras with biodiesel for three months. The trial will see how carbon emissions vary between biodiesel and regular diesel. Statistics show RTA’s fleet of 148 abras consume a whopping 1.1 million litres of fuels every year. If the experiment turns out successful, the boats could save up to 125 tons of Carbon Dioxide every year, an equivalent of growing 2,000 trees for ten years.
Photograph credit: Pixabay
“During the trial, we would be measuring the carbon emissions of biofuel-powered Abras in comparison with regular diesel-powered Abras. Should the experiment prove successful, it would be generalized to the entire fleet of 148 Abras operating on Dubai Creek. Such a step contributes to RTA’s strategic goal (Safety and Environmental Sustainability). It reduces carbon emission on Dubai Creek by 125 tons of CO2 per annum that is equivalent to growing 2000 trees for 10 years.”
Abu Baker Al Hashmi, Director of Marine Transport, at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
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(Featured photograph credit: Wallpaperflare)
