New Straits Times
01-14-2007
Biodiesel, the fuel of tomorrow
Edition: New Sunday Times
Section: Cars, Bikes & Trucks-Supplement
Memo: Diesel Buyer's Guide 2007
WITH the rising cost of fuel, the uncertainty of how much fossil fuel is really left, and the growing and more noticeable greenhouse effects of global warming, more and more people have been looking towards new non-fossil sources of fuel.
One such source is biodiesel. But what exactly is it and where does it come from?
Biodiesel is a cleaner burning fuel which produces greatly reduced emissions.
It also reduces carbon monoxide emissions by half, is non-toxic and is biodegradable.
In general, biodiesel refers to a diesel-equivalent processed fuel derived from biological sources such as vegetable oils or animal fats and can be used in unmodified diesel-engined vehicles.
Scientifically speaking, biodiesel is a fatty acid alkyl ester and is different from the straight vegetable oils (SVO) or waste vegetable oils (WVO) used as fuels in some modified diesel vehicles.
The greatest benefit is seen when used in its purest form, 100 per cent biodiesel, or B100. Biodiesel can also be mixed with regular petroleum diesel, usually referred to as B2 or B20 blends which respectively have 2 per cent or 20 per cent biodiesel mixed with normal fossil fuel-based diesel fuel.
There is much ongoing debate about the extent to which biodiesel can safely be used in conventional diesel engines without modification as well as the technical expertise required to mix biodiesel correctly.
In Malaysia, with the announcement of the set up of Malaysia's first biodiesel refinery in 2005, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui was quoted as saying the fuel could not be used in Malaysia as the existing infrastructure of the major oil companies in the country to blend the biodiesel with petroleum diesel was insufficient.
The companies would have to work together with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and Golden Hope Plantations Bhd to develop the infrastructure, he said, adding that there weren't any legal provisions for the alternative fuel in the country at the moment.
"That is why we have to export. In terms of marketing, we do not see any problems," he said.
On why the government started this project, Chin said it was to put the country on the world map in coming out with alternative fuels.
Interestingly, the most common problem that comes from using biodiesel in unmodified engines is that biodiesel is a better solvent than standard diesel, `cleaning' the engine, removing deposits in the fuel lines, and thus potentially causing blockages in the fuel injectors. Thus, when switching from normal diesel to biodiesel, it may be necessary to replace the fuel filter.
Many vehicle manufacturers, however, are positive about the use of biodiesel, citing lower engine wear as one of the benefits of this fuel.
Some international manufacturers like Volkswagen (VW) have released a list of vehicles that are able to run on biodiesel fuel without needing any major modifications.
In Britain, many manufacturers only maintain their engine warranties for use with maximum 5 per cent biodiesel blended with 95 per cent conventional diesel. Peugeot and Citroen have announced that their HDI diesel engine could run on 30 per cent biodiesel while Scania and VW are other exceptions, allowing most of their engines to operate on 100 per cent biodiesel.
One of the reasons biodiesel has not been actively supported in some countries is that the revenue from fuel taxes forms a significant portion of the revenue earned by the government. Until governments around the world figure out how they can tax consumers on used cooking oil, biodiesel will still be in the realm of the environmentally-conscious, socially-active motorist. At least for now.
Some useful online resources for those of you interested in learning more about biodiesel:
* How you can make biodiesel for yourself http:// www.biodieselcommunity.org/
* A community blog on biodiesel http://community.livejournal.com/ biodiesel/
* The Bio-Diesel guru who authored the book "From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank" http://www.joshuatickell.com/
(Copyright 2007)
Biodiesel, the fuel of tomorrow
New Straits Times
01-14-2007
Biodiesel, the fuel of tomorrow
Edition: New Sunday Times
Section: Cars, Bikes & Trucks-Supplement
Memo: Diesel Buyer's Guide 2007
WITH the rising cost of fuel, the uncertainty of how much fossil fuel is really left, and the growing and more noticeable greenhouse effects of global warming, more and more people have been looking towards new non-fossil sources of fuel.
One such source is biodiesel. But what exactly is it and where does it come from?
Biodiesel is a cleaner burning fuel which produces greatly reduced emissions.
It also reduces carbon monoxide emissions by half, is non-toxic and is biodegradable.
In general, biodiesel refers to a diesel-equivalent processed fuel derived from biological sources such as vegetable oils or animal fats and can be used in unmodified diesel-engined vehicles.
Scientifically speaking, biodiesel is a fatty acid alkyl ester and is different from the straight vegetable oils (SVO) or waste vegetable oils (WVO) used as fuels in some modified diesel vehicles.
The greatest benefit is seen when used in its purest form, 100 per cent biodiesel, or B100. Biodiesel can also be mixed with regular petroleum diesel, usually referred to as B2 or B20 blends which respectively have 2 per cent or 20 per cent biodiesel mixed with normal fossil fuel-based diesel fuel.
There is much ongoing debate about the extent to which biodiesel can safely be used in conventional diesel engines without modification as well as the technical expertise required to mix biodiesel correctly.
In Malaysia, with the announcement of the set up of Malaysia's first biodiesel refinery in 2005, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui was quoted as saying the fuel could not be used in Malaysia as the existing infrastructure of the major oil companies in the country to blend the biodiesel with petroleum diesel was insufficient.
The companies would have to work together with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and Golden Hope Plantations Bhd to develop the infrastructure, he said, adding that there weren't any legal provisions for the alternative fuel in the country at the moment.
"That is why we have to export. In terms of marketing, we do not see any problems," he said.
On why the government started this project, Chin said it was to put the country on the world map in coming out with alternative fuels.
Interestingly, the most common problem that comes from using biodiesel in unmodified engines is that biodiesel is a better solvent than standard diesel, `cleaning' the engine, removing deposits in the fuel lines, and thus potentially causing blockages in the fuel injectors. Thus, when switching from normal diesel to biodiesel, it may be necessary to replace the fuel filter.
Many vehicle manufacturers, however, are positive about the use of biodiesel, citing lower engine wear as one of the benefits of this fuel.
Some international manufacturers like Volkswagen (VW) have released a list of vehicles that are able to run on biodiesel fuel without needing any major modifications.
In Britain, many manufacturers only maintain their engine warranties for use with maximum 5 per cent biodiesel blended with 95 per cent conventional diesel. Peugeot and Citroen have announced that their HDI diesel engine could run on 30 per cent biodiesel while Scania and VW are other exceptions, allowing most of their engines to operate on 100 per cent biodiesel.
One of the reasons biodiesel has not been actively supported in some countries is that the revenue from fuel taxes forms a significant portion of the revenue earned by the government. Until governments around the world figure out how they can tax consumers on used cooking oil, biodiesel will still be in the realm of the environmentally-conscious, socially-active motorist. At least for now.
Some useful online resources for those of you interested in learning more about biodiesel:
* How you can make biodiesel for yourself http:// www.biodieselcommunity.org/
* A community blog on biodiesel http://community.livejournal.com/ biodiesel/
* The Bio-Diesel guru who authored the book "From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank" http://www.joshuatickell.com/
(Copyright 2007)
Biodiesel, the fuel of tomorrow
New Straits Times
01-14-2007
Biodiesel, the fuel of tomorrow
Edition: New Sunday Times
Section: Cars, Bikes & Trucks-Supplement
Memo: Diesel Buyer's Guide 2007
WITH the rising cost of fuel, the uncertainty of how much fossil fuel is really left, and the growing and more noticeable greenhouse effects of global warming, more and more people have been looking towards new non-fossil sources of fuel.
One such source is biodiesel. But what exactly is it and where does it come from?
Biodiesel is a cleaner burning fuel which produces greatly reduced emissions.
It also reduces carbon monoxide emissions by half, is non-toxic and is biodegradable.
In general, biodiesel refers to a diesel-equivalent processed fuel derived from biological sources such as vegetable oils or animal fats and can be used in unmodified diesel-engined vehicles.
Scientifically speaking, biodiesel is a fatty acid alkyl ester and is different from the straight vegetable oils (SVO) or waste vegetable oils (WVO) used as fuels in some modified diesel vehicles.
The greatest benefit is seen when used in its purest form, 100 per cent biodiesel, or B100. Biodiesel can also be mixed with regular petroleum diesel, usually referred to as B2 or B20 blends which respectively have 2 per cent or 20 per cent biodiesel mixed with normal fossil fuel-based diesel fuel.
There is much ongoing debate about the extent to which biodiesel can safely be used in conventional diesel engines without modification as well as the technical expertise required to mix biodiesel correctly.
In Malaysia, with the announcement of the set up of Malaysia's first biodiesel refinery in 2005, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui was quoted as saying the fuel could not be used in Malaysia as the existing infrastructure of the major oil companies in the country to blend the biodiesel with petroleum diesel was insufficient.
The companies would have to work together with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and Golden Hope Plantations Bhd to develop the infrastructure, he said, adding that there weren't any legal provisions for the alternative fuel in the country at the moment.
"That is why we have to export. In terms of marketing, we do not see any problems," he said.
On why the government started this project, Chin said it was to put the country on the world map in coming out with alternative fuels.
Interestingly, the most common problem that comes from using biodiesel in unmodified engines is that biodiesel is a better solvent than standard diesel, `cleaning' the engine, removing deposits in the fuel lines, and thus potentially causing blockages in the fuel injectors. Thus, when switching from normal diesel to biodiesel, it may be necessary to replace the fuel filter.
Many vehicle manufacturers, however, are positive about the use of biodiesel, citing lower engine wear as one of the benefits of this fuel.
Some international manufacturers like Volkswagen (VW) have released a list of vehicles that are able to run on biodiesel fuel without needing any major modifications.
In Britain, many manufacturers only maintain their engine warranties for use with maximum 5 per cent biodiesel blended with 95 per cent conventional diesel. Peugeot and Citroen have announced that their HDI diesel engine could run on 30 per cent biodiesel while Scania and VW are other exceptions, allowing most of their engines to operate on 100 per cent biodiesel.
One of the reasons biodiesel has not been actively supported in some countries is that the revenue from fuel taxes forms a significant portion of the revenue earned by the government. Until governments around the world figure out how they can tax consumers on used cooking oil, biodiesel will still be in the realm of the environmentally-conscious, socially-active motorist. At least for now.
Some useful online resources for those of you interested in learning more about biodiesel:
* How you can make biodiesel for yourself http:// www.biodieselcommunity.org/
* A community blog on biodiesel http://community.livejournal.com/ biodiesel/
* The Bio-Diesel guru who authored the book "From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank" http://www.joshuatickell.com/
(Copyright 2007)
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