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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
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
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
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,
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.
(1494 words)
REFERENCES
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