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POTENTIAL OF PALM OIL BASED BIODIESEL AS MALAYSIA’S ALTERNATIVE

FOR RENEWABLE FUEL

A known fact that the world today extensive usage of fossil fuel for transportation and

power generation have caused the main supply rapidly depleting and have aggravated

environmental pollution. Augmenting these issues, the increasing price of crude oil and the

dependency on fossil fuels have compelled many countries to do substantial research on renewable

and alternative forms of energy. In mitigating these growing concerns, many countries are taking

the initiative in promoting the utilization of biodiesels. Malaysia government also have adopted

this strategy on implementing the usage of non-petroleum oil and domestic resources of energy

(Mosarof, Kalam, Masjuki, Ashraful, Rashed, Imdadul & Monirul, 2015). Biodiesel is starting to

get attention from the countries of the world due to its environmental friendly and notable role as

a suitable replacement for fossilized fuels. The conversion of vegetable oils into biodiesel fuels are

also extensively studied in recent years in account of its considerably similar properties with

fossilized diesel fuels. Palm oil is comparatively sustainable and economically beneficial collated

with other vegetable oils (Mosarof et. al, 2015). Malaysia moved a step forward in 2006 by

establishing its National Biofuel Policy (BNP) with the key motive of penetrating the world

biodiesel market as the second largest producer of palm oil (Mukherjee & Sovacool, 2014). This

study will discuss the aspects and potentials of palm oil-based biodiesels as Malaysia’s top

alternative for renewable fuel in terms of engine performance, environmental impact and recent

technology advancement as well as its economic considerations.

The full utilization of fuel from palm oil as an alternative fuel is further reviewed with its

compatibility in regards of engine performance. Fuel grade biodiesel and its specification standards

are vital for its commercialization as biodiesel is attaining global attention. Abdullah, Salamatinia,
Mootabadi and Bhatia (2009) mentioned that fuel grade biodiesel must be produced to meet most

referred industry specification, which are European Standard Specifications for Biodiesel (EN

14214) and the American Standard Specifications for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for

Distillate Fuels (ASTM 6751). According to Mekhilef, Siga and Saidur (2010), biodiesel

profoundly can work as diesel engine fuel without any complex modifications to the engine itself.

The statement is supported by a research conducted in Bangkok where palm biodiesel was used

for a motorcycle and the emission and engine performance tested. The findings from the research

concluded that there was no significant difference in engine performance and fuel consumption

between the biodiesel and fossilized diesel. The suitability of biofuels in diesel engines contradicts

when the fatty acid composition of palm oil and its utilization for biodiesel productions presents a

number of technical challenges in diesel engines. For instance, high saturated fatty acid content in

palm oil is responsible for the poor cold flow property of biodiesel (Johari, Nyakuma, Nor, Mat,

Hashim, Ahmad, Zakaria & Abdullah, 2015). Comparing to diesel fuel, biofuels have higher

relative molecular masses and viscosities as well as containing oxygen in the molecular formula.

The high viscosity relates to the reduction of atomization of fuel and increment of penetration in

fuel spray. The high spray penetration is responsible for such problems as engine deposit growth

and thickening lubricating oil. However, these effects can be resolved by the process of

transesterification of oil and methyl ester. Severe engine deposits, piston-ring sticking and injector

cooking are also the disadvantages of using biodiesels in engines (Mosarof et. al., 2015). On the

other hand, palm oil still has great potential as an alternative source as it is relatively economical

compared to other vegetable oils.

Environmental problems caused by the widespread use of fossil fuels leads to the necessity

of developing renewable energy sources. Petroleum-based fuels emits exhaust gasses such as
hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (Mosarof

et. al., 2015). Hence, biodiesel utilization acts as a greener alternative of fuel to reduce engine-

exhaust emission components. The combustion of palm-based biodiesel does not increase the

carbon dioxide build up in the atmosphere. It is a known fact that carbon dioxide is one of the

greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. Despite the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions,

study proved that palm oil biodiesel releases considerably amount of nitrogen oxide to atmosphere

(Mosarof et. al., 2015). However, this can be reduced by 80-90% with installation of catalytic

converters in biodiesel powered vehicles (Mekhilef et. al., 2011). As aforementioned, palm

biodiesel would bring many advantages to Malaysia. In spite of all of that, biodiesel industry still

brings negative impacts to the environment namely, deforestation and degradation of water quality.

Surge in palm biodiesel have disrupts the initiative for rainforest conservation and also can cause

soil erosion linked with the clearing of land for plantation (Mukherjee et. al., 2014). The

development of palm oil-based biofuels would cause huge sacrificial in terms of environmental

balance (Abdullah et. al., 2009). Therefore, enactment of sustainable practices are important in

parallel to the primary vision of cleaner environment set out by National Biofuel Policy of

Malaysia.

The National Biofuel Policy instigate the Malaysia biofuel industry in the transport and

industry sectors. Countless research and development of palm oil biofuel have been made aiming

for a wider-scale used in the future. Current investments in the industry are aimed at fully

implementing the B5 blend known as Envo-diesel (Abdullah et. al., 2009). Nevertheless, the

initiative is impeded by transport, logistic and technical challenges most notably from original

equipment manufacturers and petroleum companies invoked the incompatibility of B5 blend for

diesel engines. Further research claimed that the B5 blend usage results in operational and
durability issues such as oil dilution, filter clogging, injector deposits in engines and after treatment

systems. Consequently, upgrading from B5 to B10 blend will extremely create an impact on the

biodiesel industry. Envisaged the potentially improving economic outlook after the introduction

of B10 blend. Furthermore, over the years, the most significant technological advancement in

biodiesel process development are Menlo Clean Carbon Technology (MCCT), Benefuel Ensel

Technology (BNT) and Jatrodiesel Super Process (JSP) (Johari et. al., 2015). MCCT is a green,

multi-feedstock biodiesel process that offers the least carbon footprint of any biodiesel production

process since it operates at ambient temperature, atmospheric and short residence times. By

practicing the MCCT, it eliminates the need of chemicals or water, overall sustainability and

profitability of biodiesel production in Malaysia can simply magnify.

Malaysia being a second top producer of palm oil biodiesel after Indonesia in 2008 has a

huge advantage in biodiesel production (Abdullah et. al., 2009). Several economic considerations

need to take an account of in order to sustain Malaysia position as a top producer. The economics

of palm oil is not deemed favorable as it is mostly dependent on the world prices of methanol,

crude petroleum oil, glycerol and palm oil. Furthermore, the production of oil palm is five times

and ten times higher than that of rapeseed and soybean, and its total production cost is lower

comparing to those of other oil crops (Mosarof et. al., 2015). In the year 2009, Malaysia faced an

issue of oversupply in the palm oil industry (Mekhilef et. al., 2011). The importance of reducing

oversupply and maintaining the crude palm oil price are in terms of profitability. Producers will

not be profitable if the price of crude palm oil decrease due to oversupply. Throughout the year of

2010 and 2012, it is reported by Johari et. al (2015) that low biodiesel exports happened within the

period. The is ascribed to the increased demand for crude palm oil and in turn increased operating

costs as well as low profits margins. Consequently, discouraged investor confidence in the
industry. Many initiatives have been made by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council. For instance,

launching of PRIME program with an effort to promote palm oil exports in Malaysia. Moreover,

in achieving great business borders, encouragement to exporters to produce new product

innovations and open doors to new market perspectives.

In a carbon-constrained and climate-changed future, biodiesels are great alternative fuel. It

stands with a high potential and performs better than other types of fuel. According to the recent

study, performance and exhaust emissions using palm oil biofuel are comparable to those of

conventional diesel fuel. Nonetheless, a few technical challenges are present after a prolonged

usage of biodiesel. Nevertheless, the properties of palm oil are no notably different from fossilized

diesel except for its high viscosity and high saturated acid content. Furthermore, the exhaust

emission is much cleaner with reduced carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, yet increased of nitrogen

oxide. Predominantly, economic trends for this biofuel are not yet favorable because of its

dependency on world price of conventional sources, production cost and fuel economy. However,

due to inconsistency of opinions, intensify research and development must be made as palm oil-

based biofuel is likely to become economically competitive with virtually all forms of energy.

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REFERENCES

Abdullah, A.Z., Salamantinia, B., Mootabadi, H. & Bhatia S. (2009). Current status and policies
on biodiesel industry in Malaysia as the world’s leading producer of palm oil. Energy Policy. 37.
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Johari, A., Nyakuma, B.B., M Nor, S.H., Mat, R., Hashim, H., Ahmad, A., Zakaria, Z.Y. & T
Abdullah, T.A. (2015). The challenges and prospects of palm oil-based biodiesel in Malaysia.
Energy. 81. 255-261
Mekhilef, S., Siga, S. & Saidur, R. (2011). A review on palm oil biodiesel as a source of renewable
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Mosarof, M.H., Kalam, M.A., Masjuki, H.H., Ashraful, A.M., Rashed, M.M., Imdadul H.K. &
Monirul, I.M. (2015). Implementation of palm biodiesel based on economics aspects, performance,
emission and wear characteristics. Energy Conversion and Management. 105 .617-629
Mukherjee, I. & Sovacool, B.K. (2014). Palm oil-based biofuels and sustainability in southeast
Asia: A review of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
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