Biodiesel based on palm oil stands out among others. It has a high cetane number and high oxidation stability, which makes the product stable for more than six months.
Among the major issues and current problems facing the world are the high levels of pollution in large cities and the increase in acid rain, both derived from the indiscriminate and poorly planned use of fossil fuels for over a hundred years. Today, world oil reserves are scarce and its price is increasing.
These reasons have led to the search for fuels derived from renewable natural sources and with low environmental impact, among which those obtained using chemically transformed vegetable oils (methyl esters) as raw materials.
This makes palm oil and its derivatives an alternative as fuel and represents an opportunity for the country’s palm oil sector. It will make it possible to increase the internal consumption of it in each country and give it greater added value.
Studies and experiences from around the world show that as palm oil is a vegetable oil it is renewable and constitutes a favorable alternative to be used as fuel. Vegetable oils contain large amounts of carbon, which is one of the most important components of fuel.
Palm oil advances as a biofuel
Indonesia, which is the world’s largest exporter of this product, plans to finish research into biodiesel containing 40% palm oil by November
The country will implement the mandatory use of biodiesel containing 40% palm oil, known as B40, in July 2021 as it seeks to increase domestic use while slashing regular diesel imports.
The country previously scheduled a road test in April for B40, but that was delayed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The pandemic has also forced the research department to modify its testing methods.
They currently mandate biodiesel containing 30% of palm oil’s fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), the highest palm-based mix for biodiesel in the world.
Indonesia is testing two different formulations for the B40 fuel, one containing 40% of FAME, and the other containing a mix of 30% of FAME and 10% of a purer form of FAME, which has improved the quality needed in the fuel.
The fuels are tested on engines of passenger cars running for 1,000 hours.