Malaysia to launch biodiesel this year

Categories: Do You Know?

Malaysia’s pioneer biodiesel – the B5 fuel – will be supplied free for the whole of this year to ministries and government agencies that volunteer to try it out. [The StarOnline Jan 2, 2006] But what is biodiesel?

Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources for use in diesel engines. It can either be 100% biodiesel or it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Malaysia's B5 is made up of 5% palm oil-derived diesel and 95% petroleum-derived diesel. Biodiesel had been used in several countries including the US, Canada and Germany.

Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources, biodegradable and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar.

Biodiesel is made from renewable fats and oils, such as vegetable oils or even used restaurant fryer oil, through a simple refining process. The is even a kit in the market for you to make your own biodiesel!


Biodiesel is compatible with current diesel engines. No modification to the diesel engine is therefore needed. It is also safer than petroleum diesel as it has a very high flash point of 300°F (temperature at which it will ignite when exposed to a spark or flame) compared to petroleum diesel at 125°F.

As opposed to petroleum diesel, biodiesel will clean your injectors and fuel lines. If you have an old diesel vehicle, there's a chance that your first tank or two of biodiesel could free up all the accumulated crud and clog your fuel filter. However it reduces engine wear by as much as one half, primarily because it provides excellent lubricity.

Vehicle hoses need to be checked after the first 6 months of operation on biodiesel as it can eat through certain types of rubber. Blends of 20% or less tend to have little effect on even non-compatible hoses. This is no longer an issue with new cars.

Biodiesel in 20% blend and with a catalytic converter had shown to reduce particulate matter by 31%, carbon monoxide by 21% and total hydrocarbons by 47%. It will also reduce sulfur emissions and aromatics.

The one disadvantage with biodiesel is the increased emission of NOx. NOx contributes to smog. It is felt that a slight increase (up to 15%) in NOx is greatly offset by the reduction in all other emissions and the major reduction in greenhouse gasses.

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