Production and evaluation of palm oil methyl esters as diesel substitute
1996
Choo, Yuen May | Ma, Ah Ngan | Yusof Basiron (Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor (Malaysia))
The fast diminishing energy reserves, greater environmental awareness and increasing energy consumption have led to an intensified search for viable alternate sources of energy globally. In this respect PORIM/PETRONAS has patented an efficient process to produce methyl esters from palm oil with varying amounts of free fatty acid content. The process requires milder conditions i.e. low temperature (80 deg C) and lower pressure (atmospheric) than the existing commercial processes. The production technology has been successfully demonstrated at a pilot plant (3,000 tonnes/year) scale and the technology is now ready for commercial exploitation. Over the past few years, palm oil methyl esters have been extensively evaluated as diesel substitute in a wide range of diesel engines including stationary engines, passenger cars, buses and tracks. The last phase of an exhaustive field trial involving 36 buses is near completion. The buses are running on three fuels i.e. 100 palm oil methyl esters, 100 petroleum diesel (as control) and a 50:50 blend of the two fuels. So far very promising results have been obtained as follows: 1. No modification of the diesel engine is required. 2. Engine performance is very good. 3. The exhaust emission is much cleaner with reduction in black smoke, NOx, CO and absence of SO2. 4. No abnormal wear and tear in engine components and no nozzle deposits. 5. No engine oil dilution. 6. Fuel consumption is comparable. This paper describes the production technology and evaluation of the palm oil methyl esters as diesel substitute/diesel improver
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