Kurigram youth recovers octane, diesel by burning polythene

Rustom Ali, 22, son of Mafizul Haque of Balikandi village in Razarhat upazila of the district, has become popular by recovering octane, petrol, diesel and LP gas after burning wasted polythene.
 
It is a serious concern that plastic polythene poses threat to the environment but Rustom Ali has taken an initiative to convert it into fuel by burning it which helps people as well as the environment.
 
A little step has now changed his life and by spending a little money, the young man generated engine fuel like octane, petrol, diesel and LP gas from polythene and succeed in it.
 
Rustom’s discovery attracted huge attention from the people and people from remote areas came to his village to visit his invention.
 
The idea came to his mind in a winter season few years ago when he noticed that liquid drops were coming out from the place where he gathered some wasted polythene and straw for warming himself.
 
In 2017, he started researching on it and to give his thought into a shape, he took polythene into a small casket and found liquid drops in the casket.
 
After three years of long research, he recovered diesel, octane, petrol and LP gas from the burning polythene.
 
During a recent visit to his house, this UNB correspondent found that there was an empty oil drum covered with a lid, placed in his house yard. Two pipes were attached to the drum along with two jerry cans (robust liquid container).
 
Rustom kept some polythene into the drum and covered it with a lid and then provided heat at the drum for burning it.
 
After 20/30 minutes, steam came out through the pipe and produced diesel and octane from it while another pipe produces LP gas through jerrycans.
 
The fuelling oil produced from polythenes is used as engine fuel after purification and extraction. Through the process, 900 grams of fuel produced from one kg of clean polythene while 600-700 grams from the contaminated polythenes at a cost of Tk 30.
 
Local people are using the fuel generated by Rustom Ali.
 
“I have tested the engine oil in experimental basis myself. After getting assistance from the government the invention can boost the energy sector of the country as well as reduce damage of environment,” said Rustom.
 
Mahbubul Alam, a teacher of Razarhat High School, said “We are proud of Rustom for his discoveries as they will play an important role in meeting the demand of engine fuel and protecting the balance of environment.”
 
Rashedul Haque, UNO of Razarhat Upazila, said “To me it’s an innovative initiative and higher authorities concerned have been informed about it.”
 
He also assured of providing assistance from the local administration if Rustom wants.