Biodiesel Standard Development in Malaysia

&
Impacts of Palm Biodiesel on Engines and
Emmissions

Dato’ Dr. Choo Yuen May

Harrison Lau Lik Nang
Yung Chee Liang

Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)

 2006

Oil Palm Cultivation = 4.165 milion hectares

CPO Production = 15.9 million tonnes
Oil Palm Plantation

Oil Palm Tree

Fresh Fruit Bunch
 OIL YIELD

Yield
Highest Yield
(tonne / ha / yr) & Most
Palm Oil (Malaysia) 3.93* Economical
Oil
Rapeseed (EU) 1.33**
Soyabean (USA) 0.46**
Sunflower (Argentina) 0.66**

Jatropha 3.00***

Source: * MPOB (2006) ** Khoo (2001) *** Khoo H.A. (2007)

Palm Oil Mill

Palm Kernel Palm Fruit

 Palm Oil Refinery

*RBD: Refined, bleached and deodorised

 Development of MPOB Palm
Biodiesel Technology
• Idea conceived: 1981
• Lab scale R&D-1982
• Continuous Pilot plant
(3,000 TPA) built and
commissioned – 1985
• Produces palm
biodiesel for stationary
engine testing and field
trial (1985-1995)
• Most exhaustive field
trial was conducted MPOB Palm Biodiesel Pilot Plant
with Mercedes Benz
(1990-1994)
 Development of MPOB Palm
Biodiesel Technology
• 1st commercial small scale
plant (3,000 TPA) started
production in August 2002
(Carotino)
• Scaling up to 60,000 TPA in
2005.
• Developed winter fuel
technology (2002) and
scaling up to 30,000 TPA in
2005.
• Developed technologies for Small scale commercial
phytonutrients and scaled Plant, 3000 TPA (Carotino)
up to pilot plant in 2005.
 Commercial Palm Biodiesel Plants

Normal-grade Palm Biodiesel Plant, Winter-grade Palm Biodiesel Plant

60,000 TPA 30,000 TPA
(Pour point : +15ºC) (Pour Point : -21ºC)
MPOB COMMERCIAL PALM BIODIESEL PLANTS

Three (3) demonstration plants were built using MPOB

Technologies. Each plant consists of a 60,000 TPA normal biodiesel
plant and a 30,000 TPA winter fuel plant.
OTHER PLANTS USING MPOB
TECHNOLOGY
Pulau Indah, Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan
Capacity : 120,000 tonnes/year
Pasir Gudang, Johor Darul Takzim
Capacity : 120,000 tonnes/year

Surat Tani, Thailand

Capacity: 60,000 tonnes/year

ENERTECH Co. Ltd.

Pyeongtaek, SOUTH KOREA
Capacity: 60,000 tonnes/year
Status : Commissioned
Palm Oil Methyl Esters (Crude and Distilled)
RBD Palm Oil Methyl Esters RBD Palm Olein Methyl Esters
 Seasonal Pour Point Requirement
of Biodiesel

Season Pour Point

(ºC)
Summer Autumn Spring -10

Summer 0
Spring Winter
Autumn -10

Winter -20
 Malaysian Standard on Biofuels

• Undertaken by SIRIM Berhad, under TC on

Petroleum Fuels.
• Members of TC: Oil and Gas Companies,
Government Department, Malaysian
Automotive Association, MPOB, Biodiesel
Producers.
• Malaysian Standard on Palm Methyl Esters
(adapt to EN 14214); released for public
comments in October 2007; expected to be
published by early 2008.
Automotive Fuels – Palm Methyl Esters (PME) for Diesel Engines
Property Unit Limits Test Methods
Minimum Maximum
Ester contenta % (m/m) 96.5 - EN 14103
Density at 15 °C kg/m3 860 900 ISO 3675
ISO 12185
ASTM D 4052
Viscosity at 40 °C mm2/s 3.50 5.00 ISO 3104
MS 1831
Flash point °C 120 - ISO 3679e
MS 686
Sulfur content mg/kg - 10.0 ISO 20846
ISO 20884
ASTM D 5453
Carbon residue % (m/m) -
(on 10% distillation residue 0.30 ISO 10370
– ISO 10370)
(on 100% distillation sample 0.05 ASTM D 4530
– ASTM D 4530)
Draft Malaysian Standard
Automotive Fuels – Palm Methyl Esters (PME) for Diesel Engines

Property Unit Limits Test methodsa

Minimum Maximum

Cetane number 51.0 - ISO 5165

MS 1895

Sulfated ash content % (m/m) - 0.02 ISO 3987

ASTM D 874

Water content mg/kg - 500 ISO 12937

ASTM E 203
ASTM D 1160

Total contamination mg/kg - 24 EN 12662

ASTM D 5452

Copper strip corrosion rating Class 1 ISO 2160

(3 h at 50 °C) MS 787

Draft Malaysian Standard

 Automotive Fuels – Palm Methyl Esters (PME) for Diesel Engines

Property Unit Limits Test methodsa

Minimum Maximum
Oxidation stability, 110 °C hours 6.0 - EN 14112

Acid value mg - 0.50 EN 14104

KOH/g MS 2011

Iodine value g iodine/ - 110 EN 14111

100 g

Linolenic acid methyl ester % (m/m) - 12.0 EN 14103

Polyunsaturated (>=4 double % (m/m) - 1 EN 14103

bonds) methyl esters

Methanol content % (m/m) - 0.20 EN 14110

Monoglyceride content % (m/m) - 0.80 EN 14105

ASTM D 6584

Draft Malaysian Standard

 Automotive Fuels – Palm Methyl Esters (PME) for Diesel Engines

Property Unit Limits Test Methods

Minimum Maximum
Diglyceride content % (m/m) - 0.20 EN 14105
ASTM D 6584
Triglyceride content % (m/m) - 0.20 EN 14105
ASTM D 6584
Free glycerol % (m/m) - 0.02 EN 14105
EN 14106
ASTM D 6584
Total glycerol % (m/m) - 0.25 EN 14105
ASTM D 6584
Group I metal (Na+K) mg/kg - 5.0 EN 14108
Group II metals (Ca+Mg) mg/kg 5.0 EN 14109
EN 14538
Phosphorus content mg/kg - 10.0 EN 14107
ASTM D 4951
CFPP °C - 15 EN 116

Draft Malaysian Standard

IMPACTS OF BIODIESEL ON
ENGINES AND EMISSIONS
Evaluation of Methyl Esters
as Diesel Substitute

• Laboratory Determination of Fuel

Characteristic
• Stationary Engine Testing
• Preliminary Field Trial
• Exhaustive Field Trial
 Stationary Engine Testing of Palm Biodiesel
using a Single-Cylinder Direct Injection Diesel Engine

Yanmar
Model L70AE-
DETMYC
Bore (mm) 78
Stroke (mm) 62
Compression
19.5
ratio
Displacement
0.296
volume (I)
Stationary Engine
Direct
Test-bed. Injection type
injection
Schematic Diagram of the
Engine Test Setup
Engine Connected to an Eddy Current
Dynamometer on Test-Bed
Steady State Engine Operating Conditions for
All Fuels
Engine Speed (rpm) Engine Load (Nm) Engine Brake Mean
Effective Pressure
(BMEP)
2.5 1.061
4 1.698
1500
5.5 2.335
7 2.972
3 1.274
5 2.123
2000
7 2.972
9 3.821
3.5 1.486
6 2.547
2500
8.5 3.609
10.5 4.458
 Emission Test of B50, B20 & B10
(Blends of 50%, 20% & 10% Palm Biodiesel in Petroleum Diesel)

B50 B20 B10

113.69 107.23 105.5
96.63
93.92
100 90.62
86.05 87
78.75 80.85 83
Emission (%)

80 73 70.6

55
60 50

40

20

0
HC CO SMOKE NOx PM
Summary of Results from Stationary Engines Testing using
Palm Biodiesel/Petroleum Diesel Blends (B10, B20 and B50)
• Engine performances: similar to No.2 Diesel Fuel in
terms of thermal efficiency
• Higher fuel consumption was observed for the whole
engine loads and speeds
• All biodiesel blends have the tendency to reduce
CO2, CO, HC, particular matter and smoke emissions
for all engine loads and speeds except for NOx
emission.
• All biodiesel blends experienced a shorter ignition
delay than diesel fuel. The shorter ignition delay
indicates the better combustion of the fuel where the
fuel was ignited quickly after injection. Shorter
ignition delay reduced CO and HC emissions.

In collaboration with University Technology Malaysia (UTM).

 Preliminary Field Trial
(July 1984 – May 1985)
(B100)

1. 8 taxis each covered 70,000km

2. Objectives of the trial:

To study the performance of diesel engines
when fueled with methyl esters, and

To study the behaviour of lubricating oils of
diesel engines when fueled with methyl
esters.
 Exhaustive Engine Field Trial
(B100)

(1) Phase I : 1986- 1989

31 engines of various makes

1. Garbage trucks 7. Land cruiser

2. Lorries 8. Cars
3. Army trucks 9. Water pump
4. Taxis 10. Vans
5. Mini-tractors 11. Stationary engine
6. Generating sets Testbeds
Field Trials using Various Diesel Engines
 Exhaustive Field Trial (cont.)
(2) Phase II : 1990 – 1994 (B100 & B50)

 Stationary engine testing by Mercedes Benz

 36 Buses mounted with Mercedes Benz OM352
engines
 Fuel Tested
• 100% palm biodiesel
• 50% palm biodiesel + 50% petroleum diesel
• 100% petroleum diesel (as control)
• 10 buses each, each bus covered 300,000 km.
• No modification of diesel engine required.
 MPOB vehicles
Fuel tested: 100% crude palm stearin methyl
esters
 Field Trials using Mercedes Benz (OM352) Diesel Engines
Mounted on Passenger Buses (each bus covered 300,000 km)
 Emission Test of B100 (100% Palm Biodiesel) and
B50 (Blends of 50% Palm Biodiesel / 50% Petroleum Diesel

99.4 103.9
100 90.7
89.8

73.7
Emission (%)

80
60.6
57.8
60
Blend of 50% petroleum
diesel/50% Palm Biodiesel)
40 24.2
100% Palm Biodiesel
20

0
HC CO SMOKE NOx
Smoke Emission from Passenger Bus using Petroleum Biodiesel
Clean Smoke Emission from Passenger Bus using Palm Biodiesel
 Trials using Palm Biodiesel
on Commercial Trains
• Trials conducted by Prignitzer Eisenbahn (PE)
Arriva in Germany, since September 2004.
 Summary of Field Trial

• No modification of conventional diesel engine

required.
• Performance of engine : good.
Easy starting, no knocking, smooth running.
• Exhaust gas emission : much cleaner
(reduction of hydrocarbon, CO, CO2,
SO2 content.) More environmentally
friendly.
• Engine oil: still usable after recommended
mileage.
• Cetane number / Diesel Improver
( 62.4 c.f 37.7 for petroleum diesel from Europe)
 Summary of Field Trial (cont.)

• Palm bio diesel : higher flash point (174oC c.f. 98oC

for petroleum diesel) offers enhanced safety in
terms of storage and transportation.
• Carbon build up in engine fuel nozzle : normal except
nature of carbon different.
• Fuel consumption of palm biodiesel : comparable
with petroleum diesel (e.g. 3-4 km per liter for bus
tested).
• Palm oil methyl esters :
(a) attack low grade plastic and rubber products
e.g. hoses, seal etc.
(b) react with binding material of cement floor.
 STRATEGIC THRUSTS

THRUST 1 : USE OF BIOFUEL FOR TRANSPORT

THRUST 2 : USE OF BIOFUEL FOR INDUSTRY

THRUST 3 : DEVELOPMENT OF HOME GROWN

BIOFUEL TECHNOLOGIES

THRUST 4 : PRODUCTION OF BIOFUEL FOR

EXPORT

THRUST 5 : BIOFUEL FOR CLEANER

ENVIRONMENT

• National Biofuel Policy

released 21 March 2006
 LEGAL FRAMEWORK

• Malaysian Biofuel Industry Act 2006

passed by Parliament in 2007
• Contains provision to mandate blending
of biofuel with diesel through
regulations made by Minister
• Drafting of regulations under way
• No decision yet on implementation.
Need to consider type of biofuel,
percentage, subsidies required etc.
 Acknowledgements

• Ministry of Plantation Industries and

Commodities, Malaysia
• Management of Malaysian Palm Oil Board
• MPOB Palm Biodiesel Team
THANK YOU