Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today pledged full government support for an innovative research project that produces fuel oil from human waste and agricultural residues also aiming to bolster energy security and improve waste management.
The assurance came after a team led by Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) Professor Dr. Md Khalekuzzaman demonstrated the technology at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon.
Using Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) technology, KUET researchers have converted sewage, kitchen waste and crop residues into organic crude oil with a 50 to 55 percent yield in laboratory tests.
The research team plans to set up a pilot plant with a daily processing capacity of 1 to 3 tonnes, estimated at Tk.100–120 crore to evaluate commercial viability and production costs.
Researchers estimate that scaling up the technology could replace 10 to 15 percent of Bangladesh’s imported crude oil, saving between Tk.6,500 crore and Tk.13,000 crore in foreign exchange annually while significantly reducing environmental pollution.
Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, KUET Vice-Chancellor Prof. Muhammad Masud and other high-level officials were present during the briefing.
