The Cold Flow Properties of Palm Biodiesel for Diesel Blends Mandate in Malaysia’s Highlands

Abstract

Greenhouse gas emission from burnt fossil fuels in transportation leads to global warming. Therefore, biodiesel which is believed to help in reducing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission has been widely used as renewable energy that will replace diesel fuel. Biodiesel of 7% in diesel or B7 has been accepted worldwide to be the automotive fuel. In the last decade, most countries that implemented biodiesel program have gradually increased its biodiesel blending ratio above 7% for economic and environmental reasons. Malaysia has also announced the implementation of B20 starting January 2020. However, the biodiesel mandate in Malaysia's highlands was maintained at B7 because of the concern on low temperature vehicle operability. This study focuses on the cold flow properties of the blended diesel fuels and the quality of the palm biodiesel for the national biodiesel program. The monoglycerides and the water content in the biodiesel were evaluated in relation to cold temperature fuel performance. Cloud point (CP) and cold filter plugging point (CFPP) of B7 diesel sold at highlands were found below the lowest ambient temperature recorded at highlands for the past 10 years. Both CP and CFPP of Euro 5 diesel were lower than Euro 2M diesel. A 41-months survey of the monoglycerides and the water contents in the palm biodiesel indicated that the palm biodiesel used in Malaysia's biodiesel mandate meets both the EN14214:2019 and the Malaysian Standard MS2008:2014 specifications. CP and CFPP of the blended fuels increase with the increase of biodiesel blending ratio. Based on the study, it is anticipated that B20 could be introduced at Malaysia's highlands without any problem.

Effect of palm biodiesel blends on cold start performance and emissions of common rail turbocharged engine at moderately cold ambient temperatures

“…Cold flow properties of selected palm biodiesel blends were analyzed to correlate with the findings in the literature 29 . Cold properties and viscosity of biodiesel blends are shown in Figure 3.…”

“…Standard diesel fuel, Euro 2M or B7 containing 7% (v/v) palm biodiesel, was bought from retail station in Genting Highland and used as base diesel fuel. The selected base diesel fuel, with the highest CFPP value, sourced from one of the petrol station at highland as in previous study 29 was blended with palm biodiesel containing the highest monoglycerides content (MG) (0.61% m/m). MG is an important parameter of biodiesel that is often associated with precipitation.…”

“…Selection of base fuel was based on the screened lowest cold flow properties of petroleum diesel sold at highlands and MG content of palm biodiesel supplied for national biodiesel programme. Ambient temperature test was fixed by considering the average cold climate conditions in Malaysia as in previous study 29 …”

“…9,10,17,28 Malaysia as in previous study. 29 The Co-ordinating European Council (CEC) M-11-T-91 method with cold weather performance test procedure for diesel vehicles was adopted in evaluating cold start performance of biodiesel blends. 30 The test vehicle was pre-soaked in the cold chamber at 5 C below the target ambient temperature for 1. entering the cold climatic chamber for soaking.…”

OIL PALM ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA AND R&D PROGRESS IN 2021

“…The emulsified fuel experiences four stages of microexplosion due to larger water particles and higher hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, thus, performing excellently with a reduced particulate matter (soot) and NOx emissions. It has also been proven that the mandated B7 (7 wt.% palm biodiesel in 93 wt.% petroleum diesel) and higher blends up to 20 wt.% can be comfortably used at Malaysia's highlands as their cold flow properties are lower than the lowest temperature recorded for the past 10 years in these places (Jalil et al, 2021).…”