IIT Bombay turns fallen leaves into cooking fuel, cuts LPG use amid shortage, plans hostel-scale rollout

Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) Bombay has developed a biomass-based energy solution that converts fallen leaves and campus waste into cooking fuel, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) use. The technology could lead to annual savings of around Rs 50 lakh in IIt Bombay alone, replace nearly 90 tonnes of LPG, and bring down CO₂ emissions by about 300 tonnes.

The initiative was first proposed in 2014 by Sanjay Mahajani from the department of chemical engineering, focusing on biomass gasification as a way to tackle rising energy costs while utilising readily available organic waste.

As per the details shared by the institute in a post on X, the project faced major technical hurdles in its initial phase. A key challenge was clinker formation—solid residues in Indian biomass that tend to clog gasifiers and reduce efficiency. Early trials were met with operational issues, including excessive smoke and reluctance among kitchen staff to adopt the system.

The institute said that the sustained research efforts led to a major breakthrough in 2016, when the team developed and patented a gasifier design that significantly reduced clinker formation. The project was further strengthened in 2017 with the involvement of Sandeep Kumar from the department of energy science and engineering, who contributed to improving burner efficiency. The system was subsequently tested under real-world conditions through the institute’s Living Lab initiative, alongside safety checks and gradual user adoption.

LPG crisis: IIT Bombay solution gains relevance

In a post on X, IIT Bombay highlighted the initiative as part of its broader push towards rising cost globally and sustainability, noting how campus-generated waste is being converted into a practical energy resource.

A supply crunch of LPG, linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, has already disrupted kitchens in schools and higher education institutions across India. Campuses such as Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and private schools like Shri Ram Universal School are preparing contingency measures, including reducing fuel-intensive menu items and shifting to alternatives like firewood and coal.

At IIT Roorkee, hostel authorities have warned of constrained cylinder availability and advised kitchens to be ready with backup cooking arrangements while ensuring meals remain nutritious.

IIT Bombay said that the technology is now operational at the institute’s staff canteen, where it has reduced LPG consumption by 30–40%. As per the institute achieves thermal efficiency of around 60% while maintaining emissions below 20 parts per million (ppm). The system also contributes to lowering carbon emissions by approximately 8 tonnes annually.

The technology has been licensed to Infixen Energy Pvt Ltd for wider deployment. IIT Bombay said it aims to scale the system to larger hostels, where it is projected to substantially cut LPG usage, lower operational expenses, and further reduce carbon emissions.

The LPG shortage impact is also being felt in government schools under the PM POSHAN scheme, particularly in West Bengal, Maharashtra and other states where institutions have been forced to improvise. Some schools have turned to traditional chulhas using firewood, while others have simplified meals to cope with limited fuel supply.

In certain cases, administrators reported difficulty sustaining such arrangements due to limited access to alternative fuels, highlighting the urgent need for intervention to ensure uninterrupted meals for students.