With the depletion of fossil fuels and the current worldwide efforts to address the issue of global warming, palm biodiesel has a definite advantage over mineral diesel as palm biodiesel is made from renewable resources and is more environmental-friendly. It produces lower amounts of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. It is also a safer fuel than mineral diesel due to its high flash poin

Trains in Germany running on Palm Biodiesel

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has conducted extensive research and development in the field of palm biodiesel production and its use as mineral diesel substitute. Numerous exhaustive field trials with promising results were conducted on trains, taxis and commercial buses, the latter in collaboration with Mercedes Benz. The field trials showed that engines designed for operation with mineral diesel could just as well be operated with neat palm biodiesel or a blend in any proportion of palm biodiesel and mineral diesel.

PRODUCTION PROCESS FOR PALM BIODIESEL
Palm biodiesel (palm oil methyl esters) is produced in the continuous transesterification reaction of palm oil with methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide as catalyst. The transesterification reaction takes place in two to three stages with subsequent washing, drying and polishing of the reaction product.

Refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm oil is thoroughly mixed with excess methanol and catalyst. The mixture is heated to the reaction temperature and fed to the first reactor where the transesterification reaction takes place. Glycerol formed in the reaction is separated from the methyl ester phase.

Make-up methanol and catalyst are added to the methyl ester phase and the mixture is fed to a second reactor. In some systems, further conversion to methyl esters is achieved in a third reactor. The use of excess methanol and the complete separation of glycerol ensure maximum conversion to methyl esters.

The excess methanol is recovered from both the crude methyl ester phase and the crude glycerol phase. The recovered methanol is purified in a rectification column and recycled for reuse in the transesterification reaction. The glycerol is obtained as a by-product with a concentration of about 80%.

The methyl ester is washed with hot water to remove residual glycerol, methanol and soap, and dried under vacuum to reduce its water content to within the specified limits of biodiesel standards. The final product is cooled in a heat recovery system and additionally with cooling water before it is sent to storage. The yield of methyl esters is higher than 96.5%

PALM BIODIESEL FOR COLD CLIMATE
Normal grade palm biodiesel has pour point of about 15ฐC and can only be used in tropical countries. To enable palm biodiesel to be used as mineral diesel substitute in countries with cold climate, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has developed a novel process to produce palm biodiesel with low pour point that meets the seasonal pour point requirements of temperate countries (ranging from minus 20ฐC in winter to 0ฐC in summer). Palm biodiesel with low pour point and its production technology are filed under Malaysian Patent PI 20021157.

Low pour point palm biodiesel is produced by removing the high melting components from normal grade palm biodiesel. A physical separation process is used. This includes partial crystallization of the esters followed by separation of the solids from the liquid fraction. Depending on the pour point requirements, the yield of low pour point palm biodiesel (winter grade fuel) is between 35 to 40% while the co-products find applications as summer grade fuel or as raw materials for the oleochemical industry.

Oiltek has technology licensing agreement with MPOB to supply full scale commercial production plants for normal grade as well as winter grade palm biodiesel. The first three commercial winter grade palm biodiesel plants are currently under construction in Malaysia and the first plant is expected to be in operation in September 2006

Normal and Winter Grade Palm Biodiesel

PROPERTIES OF PALM BIODIESEL Notes :- (a) EN 14214: European Standard for Biodiesel (b) CFPP (Cold Filter Plugging Point) requirements based on the German Annex to EN 14214 :- • Summer: Grade B (Max. 0°C) • Spring & Autumn: Grade D (Max. -10°C) • Winter: Grade F (Max. -20°C)

THE SPECIALIST IN OILS & FATS PROCESSING Oiltek Sdn Bhd has served the oils & fats processing industry in South East Asia and beyond since 1981. We are South East Asia’s only true specialist in this field, offering customized solutions for all aspects of oils & fats processing. Currently plants designed by Oiltek are in operation throughout Asia, Africa and Central America. Besides Palm Biodiesel Plants, Oiltek also offers customized solutions and processing systems for :- • Batch Neutralization, Bleaching and Deodorization • Chemical Refining • Physical Refining • Dry Fractionation • Winterization • Interesterification • Hydrogenation • Margarine and Shortening We are ready to meet you for a no-obligation consultation to discuss your requirements. We will get to know you and introduce to you our unique, individualized approach to giving you plants and systems that work hardest for you.