Image: Reuters Berita 24 English - In an effort to determine before the end of the year if two types of biodiesel that contain 40% palm oil ...
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| Image: Reuters |
Berita 24 English - In an effort to determine before the end of the year if two types of biodiesel that contain 40% palm oil are practical for use by the general public, Indonesia initiated road tests for them on Wednesday, according to the energy ministry.
The highest compulsory mix in the world is currently required by the government for all diesel sold in the nation to contain 30% palm oil.
The country that produces the most palm oil has long-term intentions to increase the amount of vegetable oil in the fuel used in everything from vehicles to aeroplanes in order to reduce the amount of petroleum that is imported. It performed its first test flight with palm oil and jet fuel last year. To absorb extra palm oil supplies, officials have recently pushed for a bigger share.
Diesel blended with 40% fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), known as B40, and B30D10, which is diesel blended with 30% FAME mixed with 10% green diesel composed of refined, bleached, and deodorised palm oil, will be tested over the coming months (RBDPO).
According to Dadan Kusdiana, the ministry's director of renewable energy, they will be tested for 50,000 km (31,000 miles) and 40,000 km on 12 of the most popular passenger car models and commercial vehicle models, respectively.
He remarked, referring to biodiesel containing 30% palm oil, "We have upgraded fuel specs such that they are better than B30."
The fuel has a solvent effect that can erode engine seals and gasket materials, and it can freeze at cold temperatures. Users claim that doing so needs specific handling and equipment, and that increasing FAME concentrations in biodiesel will result in these problems.
The influence of the fuels on everything from engine power, torque, fuel consumption, and emission levels will be thoroughly examined on each car both before and after the trial run, according to officials.
B35 biodiesel sales to the general public have been postponed indefinitely, contrary to earlier statements from authorities. A different B35 laboratory test will shortly be performed, according to Dadan.
The government projects that biodiesel will be consumed in amounts of at least 10.15 million kilolitres in 2022, while B40 is predicted to enhance annual biodiesel consumption by up to 3.5 million kilolitres.
Indonesia now has a production capacity of 120,000 metric tonnes of green diesel and 18 million kiloliters of biodiesel.
