Biodiesel from CPO and Application as Blending Components

BIODIESEL FROM CPO AND APPLICATION AS BLENDING COMPONENTS

Chairil. A*, Herizal*, Yanni. K*, Lutfi. A**, Pallawagau. L P**

*) **)
Process Technology Group, Application Product Technology Group
Research and Development Centre for Oil & Gas Technology “LEMIGAS” Jakarta

1. INTRODUCTION
Energy is one of the main factors to move the development wheels. The availability
of adequate energy is one of the most important factors to guarantee further progress in
development. Indonesia has fossil fuel energy supplies in the form of crude oil and natural
gas as well as coals. The potential supply of crude oil reached up to 10 milliard barrel and
natural gas as much as 180 trillion cubic feet. In reality Indonesia has become one of the
net importers of crude oil. This is the fact that cannot be denied anymore. In March 2004,
484.000bbl/d oil was imported to be consumed as petroleum for local use. This has
exceeded the amount of oil that was being exported approximately 448.000bbl/d. In April
the import increased to 503.000 bbl/d and the export went down to 413.000 bbl/d.(1,2) The
dependence of the national energy supply on fuel oil is still very high. The requirement of
petroleum in the country increased due to economy development, increase population, and
also the selling price of petroleum product, which is relatively cheap. The predicted
amount of oil being imported will increase continuously, in the coming year, in 2010, the
amount of petroleum consumed in Indonesia is predicted to reach up to 2 million bbl/d,
which is higher than the capability of the Indonesia crude production which is only 1
million bbl/d as written in APBN 2004. Focusing further on the supply of energy, the
government and the public must try for diversification of energy or find other alternatives
and immediately socialize the save energy campaign to reduce the dependence on the fossil
fuel. The situation above later is seen more with the usage of the of diesel fuel. The diesel
fuel consumption in the automotive sector and industries is bulging continuously and the
volume produced and consumed in the country is no more balanced. As per the data in
2001, the production capacity approximately 15.5 milliard liters and the total consumption
reaches up to 23.3 milliard liters (145.5 million barrel), which means 8 milliard liter (34%
of total consumption) has to be imported.(3)
The current quantity of the diesel fuel has given us an illustration of the supply of
the diesel fuel in Indonesia. Besides that, we are also faced with an environment issue
domestic as well as global, that is clean energy which is safe for the environment, example
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diesel fuel with low sulfur content (50 ppm), compared to high sulfur domestically fuel
produced which is normally within the range of 1500-4100 ppm. In Indonesia, the
limitations we are facing does not only involve the production and consumption level
(matter of quantity), but also include the quality that has to be improved. Based on those
limitations, to provide diesel oil that is suitable for the environment (environmental
friendly), modifications need to be made or addition of new refinery is necessary or need to
find non fossil source of energy as an alternative which will increase the production of
diesel fuel. At this state of crisis , it will be tough to attract and invest a huge amount of
money to build new refinery or modify those refinery that are already there, so that we can
produce more diesel oil with low sulfur content, hence it will be wise to substitute with an
alternative fuel in Indonesia. If Biodiesel can be used as a part of the Liquid Fuel Mix in
Indonesia, the problem mentioned above can probably be solved.
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel made of renewable raw materials, consisting of
various kinds of ester, fatty acids that are produced from plant oil like palm oil , coconut
oil , castor oil, silk cotton seed oil, and there are still 30 more types of plants in Indonesia
that has the potential to become the source of this liquid form energy.(4) Based on few
criteria, palm oil is the most potential vegetable oil which can be used as raw material to
manufacture biodiesel.(Surawidjaya and colleagues, 2003), and on the other hand
the usage of CPO is also meant to anticipate oversupply. In the year of 2002, oversupply of
CPO locally reached 0.10 million tons. It is estimated that this amount will keep rising
reaching 1.3 million tons in 2010.(5) Sugiyono (2003), predicted that in the year of 2010,
Indonesia will be capable of producing CPO as much as 12 million tons and will be the
highest producer in the world.(6) The data of 2000 shows that from about 3 million hectares
of palm tree plantations, 6.7 million tons of CPO are produced. Besides that, if the fuel
subsidy is no more available (2004) biodiesel can be a substitute for diesel oil that is
readily available to be marketed with a competitive price.
Biodiesel has similar physical characteristics as diesel oil, and in addition it is a
renewable energy and safe for the environment. Research proofs that using the mixture of
30% of volume biodiesel towards diesel oil shows similar engine performance as compared
to using 100% of diesel oil, and using this composition no modification of the vehicle is
necessary. Biodiesel can be used easily because it can be mixed at any proportion with
diesel oil, hence enabling us to apply it immediately for diesel engines that are available
without much modification; easy biodegradability; 10 times less poisonous compared to
the ordinary diesel oil, has a better cetane number than the ordinary diesel oil, the waste
products (ashes) of biodiesel is not black, does not contain sulfur and other aromatic
contents, hence combustion emission produced is safe for the environment and does not
add to the accumulated carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere thus lessens furthermore the
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global heating effect or what is most commonly called as zero CO2 emission. Biodiesel is
the result of making the best use of the non fossil resources, substitution of biodiesel (1-
3%) in diesel oil will save the foreign exchange remarkably.
This paper illustrates the biodiesel experimental development in LEMIGAS and the
experimental development to produce biodiesel in general in Indonesia, to get raw
materials from non fossil energy sources. Currently biodiesel from CPO is being developed
and used as a mixture component for fuels of diesel operated motors.

2. EXPERIMENTAL
2.1 Methyl Ester Preparation
Process description made of methyl ester showed in figure 1. Raw material as crude
palm oil (1) with molar ratio methanol/crude palm oil 8 - 10.65 entering to the reactor
transesterification (3), solid catalyst as sodium hydroxide 0.92 - 1.83 %wt and methanol
was mixed (2) fed into the reactor. The mixture crude palm oil, methanol and catalyst are
thoroughly stirred. The temperature transesterification reaction was maintained at 55 –
65 °C and rate of stirring is 1000-2000 RPM during 15-60 minute. After transesterification,
the effluent reactor was then pumped into neutralization section (4) where in this section
carry out neutralization with sulfuric acid and then flowed into separating section (5) for
separate Glycerol, Salt & Waste and Methyl Ester & Methanol. The methanol and methyl
ester phase was washed with hot water in washing section (6) for the purified methyl ester
from mixed and then methanol was recovered and purified for re-use. A small quantity of
hot water was used in each stage washing and normally two and three washings were
sufficient to clean up esters. The methyl esters were then evaporated in evaporation section
(7) before pumped to the storage tank. Methyl ester yield can be obtained from this process
about 98.8%.

2.2 The manufacture of biodiesel fuel (70:30)

Diesel oil is mixed in a tank with the concentration of 70% volume and 30%
volume of methyl ester. The contents are mixed at room temperature using an electrical
stirrer for about half an hour.

2.3 Emission of Exhaust Gas Measurement

The measurement of the exhaust gas components is done by several permanent
turns using equipment called ECOM-AC exhaust gas analyzer. Components of the exhaust
gas measured are CO, CO2, O2, NOX, and SO2. The amount of the emission of the exhaust
gas components is stated in % or ppm.

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The measurement of the opacity of exhaust gas is done with few permanent
turns using Smoke meter Bosch, type RTT 100.FD 368.The opacity of exhaust gas is stated
in %.

1
Crude Palm Oil
2
3
Methanol
Mixer Reactor Neutralizer
Catalyst
4
Neutralization

5
Glycerol Layer &
Sedimentation
Waste

Methanol & Methyl Ester

Layer 6
Methanol & Water Washing Hot Water

Methyl Ester & Water

7
Water Vapour Evaporation

Methyl Ester

Figure 1 Process diagram for methyl ester production

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3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Laboratory Evaluation
3.1.1 Manufacture and Physical Characterization
The experiment in LEMIGAS used NaOH catalyst and alcohol, while palm oil
originated from CPO Indonesia. The process developed in converting the vegetable oil to
methyl ester is by converting the crude palm oil (CPO) which is being reacted to methanol
with the help of a catalyst through the transesterification process. The physical
characteristics are presented in Table 1 coded B-100-L. In general, the trial data shows
that the biodiesel produced is satisfactory and fulfills the specifications of diesel oil in
Indonesia although there is still a slight deviation but is still usable as a blending
component as well as a fuel alternative.

3.1.2 The Manufacture of Fiodiesel Fuel (70:30)

Biodiesel as an alternative fuel, can be used in the form of 100% pure biodiesel or
blending component. Blending XX% vol of biodisel with (100 – XX) %-volume diesel oil,
known as biodiesel BXX. For example, B20 is a mixture of 20%-vol of biodiesel and 80%-
vol of diesel oil. In this experiment, as per the mixture composition, data is recorded in
Table 1 with B-100-L code for 100% and B-30-L for mixtures. As like B-100-L, B-30-L
basically also fulfills the specifications of Indonesian diesel oil. According to the
experiments done by other researchers, additive usage does not give satisfactory results. It
has been reported that vegetable ester gives good results because it can improve the density
and volatility compared to vegetable oil (7). The Table 1 shows the comparison of the
physical characteristics to Indonesian diesel oil specifications.

3.1.3 Static Engine Test and Exhaust Gas Emitted

As known, the combustion process of raw materials in diesel engines gives out few
components of exhaust gas and smoke that is relatively darker than the gasoline engines.
The measurement of the emission of exhaust gas includes measurement of the components
of the exhaust gas and the measurement of the opasity of exhaust gas. Based on the
analysis of the results, exhaust gas emitted from biodiesel is lower than exhaust gas
emitted from diesel oil, except for the emission of O2 which is higher compared to that
emitted from diesel oil. The higher emission of O2 in the exhaust gas is due to the presence
of oxygen in the biodiesel.
The amount of components of exhaust gas emitted from biodiesel compared to that
emitted from diesel oil is as follows: CO rate lower by 7.43%; CO2 rate lower by 3.33%;
O2 rate higher by 6.25%; NOx rate lower by 3.84%; hydrocarbon (HC) rate lower by

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11.32%; SO2 rate lower by 16.65%; opacity of exhaust gas products lower by 27.67%. The
decreased rate of SO2 is due to the fact that biodiesel does not contain sulfur.

Table 1 Characteristic of Methyl Ester Compared with Diesel Fuel

M. Ester Solar Specification of Diesel

No Char acter istic Min Maks. Metoda
ASTM
1 Spec. Grafity 60/60°F 0.87 0.83 0.82 0.87 D 1298
2 Calc. Cetane Index 53.5 63 48 - D 976
3 Kin. Viscosity, 40°C cSt 4.97 3.78 1.6 5.8 D 445
4 Pour Point, °C 10 3 - 18 D 97
5 Conr. Carb. Resid, %wt 0.03 0 - 0.1 D 189
6 Sulfur Content, %wt 0.03 0.14 - 0.5- D 1551
7 Copper Strip Corr, 100°C, 2 hrs 1A 1A - No. 1 D 130
8 Colour ASTM 5 3.5 - 3 D 1500
9 Neutralization Value D 664
- SAN mgKOH/gr nil nil - nil
- TAN mgKOH/gr 10.6 0.15 - 0.5
- TBN mgKOH/gr nil 0.27 - -
10 Flash Point COC, °C 186 72 66 - D 92
11 Distillation °C D 86
IBP 305 187 - -
Rec. 5% vol 319 201
10% vol 320 227 - -
20% vol 321 250 - -
30% vol 323 268.5 - -
40% vol 325 283 - -
50% vol 327 296 - -
60% vol 332 308 - -
70% vol 340 324 - -
80% vol 346 342 - -
90% vol - 368 - -
FBP °C 346 371 - -
Rec. 300°C %vol - 53.5 40 -
12 Ash Content %wt 0.01 nil - 0.01 D 482
13 Water Content %vol Trace Trace - - D 95
14 Calorific Value Btu/lb 17.139 22.450 - - D 240
15 Sediment by Extract, %wt 0.01 nil nil nil D 473
16 BS&W %vol Trace nil - - D 1796

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Table. 1 Characteristic of Methyl Ester ………( Cont.)

Result Automotive
Characteristics Unit Diesel Method
B-100 B-30 Min Max

Specific Grafity at 60/60 oF 0.865 0.864 0.820 0.870 ASTM 1298

Calculation Cetane Index 58.3 55.2 48 ASTM 976
Kinematic viscisity at 100 oF CSt 5.70 4.53 1.6 5.8 ASTM D. 445
o
Pour Point F 55 55 65 ASTM D. 97
Conradson Carbon Residue % wt 2.24 0.33 0.1 ASTM D. 189
Sulfur Content % wt 0.01 0.28 0.5 ASTM D. 1551 Mod
Copper Strip at 100 oC/3 Hrs Ia Ia No. 1 ASTM D. 130
Colour ASTM D. 1500
Total Acid Number mg KOH/g 12.31 3.53 0.6 ASTM D. 664
Strong Acid Number mg KOH/g Nil Nil Nil ASTM D. 664
Total Base Number mg KOH/g 0.02 0.19 ASTM D. 2896
Flash Point oF 370 190 150 ASTM D. 93
Ash Content % wt Nil Nil 0.01 ASTM D. 482
Sediment by Extraction % wt ASTM D. 473
BS & W % wt ASTM D. 1796
Distillation ASTM D. 86
o
Initial Boiling Point C 303.0 211.0
o
90 % vol C 354.5 340
o
95 % vol C - 363.0
o
Final Boiling Point C - 364.5

Distillate % vol 89.5 98.0

Residue % vol 5.0 2.0
Loss % vol 0.5 -
Recovery at 300 oC % vol 40.2 40
Calorific Value BTU/lb 17.46 18.92 ASTM 240

3.2 Field Test and Exhaust Gas Emission

The measured results of the exhaust gas is done through several permanent turnings
on specific gear transmission position, the following components CO, CO2, O2, NOx, HC,
SO2 and for the opacity. The results of the component measured shows that the CO
component emission from the exhaust gas from motors using biodiesel is lower by 1.86%
compared to that from motors using diesel oil. The CO2 component is 3.40% lower. The O2
component is 9.74% higher. The NOx component is lower by about 8.71% in average. The
HC component is 5.61 lower and the SO2 component is 5.26 % lower. Opacity of exhaust
gas using the biodiesel have 26.73% lower opacity compared to those using diesel oil.

3.3 General illustration of the Development of Biodiesel in Indonesia

Biodiesel is the latest found low sulfur fuel, which is highly potential as a blending
component in assisting the quantity and quality of the diesel oil; measures towards the
usage of biodiesel in Indonesia, and industrial development which produces it locally,
currently being implemented by various parties and institutes, governmental as well as
private. The socialization of the usage of biodiesel has been started, used as forklift fuel

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(PT National Gobel), staff transportation buses (BPPT), public buses (PT EAI), and also
long distances road test from Medan to Jakarta (P2KS Medan).
Although the government policy is not available yet, each party actively pioneers
towards their target of achieving commercial benefits and production of biodiesel in
Indonesia. Several institutes, governmental as well as private, such as
PPPTMGB”LEMIGAS” and PERTAMINA,. Palm Oil R&D Centre (P2KS) Medan,
Research Centre for Chemistry-Indonesian Institute of Sciences (P2K-LIPI), Agency for
the Assessment and Application Technology (BPPT) Jakarta, Bandung Institute
Technology (ITB), Forum Biodiesel Indonesia and P.T Energi Alternatif Indonesia (EAI)
from the private sector. In 1994, PPPTMGB”LEMIGAS” produced biodiesel along with
CPO for research purposes together with PERTAMINA, and in 2001 as requested by one
of the private Korean company in Jakarta. The latest development of PT Energy
Alternative Indonesia (EAI), although in small quantity, has successfully traded their
biodiesel products through 4 SPBU (fuel station) in Jakarta. BPPT is constructing a
demonstrative scale factory in Riau and Serpong using CPO oil as raw materials, so is
Palm Oil R&D centre (P2KS) in Medan.

4. CONCLUSION
Biodiesel B-100-L and B-30-L fulfils the specifications of the Indonesian diesel oil,
thus is suitable to be used as an alternative fuel as well as blending component in diesel oil.
Emission test results show that biodiesel B-30-L is fuels save for the environment. Exhaust
gas emission of the engines much cleaner with reduction CO, CO2, NOx, SO2, and so the
opacity, therefore it is more environmentally friendly. The commercial production of
biodiesel is still at its primary stage, even though several biodiesel (SPBU) fuel station has
been operated in Jakarta.

REFERENCES
1. The Asian Wall Street Journal (18/5/04)
2. Kurtubi, Indonesia “Net Oil Importer “, Kompas(daily) 26/05/04.
3. US Embassy at Jakarta, (2002), Petroleum Report
4. Surawidjaya, dkk (2003), “Hubungan Antara Komposisi Minyak Nabati Bahan
Mentah Dengan Kualitas Bahan Bakar Biodiesel”, Prosiding Seminar Nasional
Rekayasa Kimia dan Proses 2003, ISSN : 1411 – 4216.
“
5. Kompas (daily), Senin, 18 Maret 2002, hal. 10, Limbah Kelapa Sawit untuk
Biodiesel Pengganti Solar.

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6. Martin Djamin, Agus Salim Dasuki, dan Andika Prastawa, 2003, “Pengembangan
Teknologi Energi Alternatif dan Alternatif Teknologi Konversi Energi Untuk
Mendukung Pemenuhan Kebutuhan Energi Nasional“, Seminar Teknologi Untuk
Negeri 2003, BPPT Jakarta.
7. Sugiyono., 2003, “Roadmap dan Agenda Surfaktan“, Lokakarya Nasional Agenda
Riset Strategis Dalam Rangka Pengembangan Industri Hilir Kelapa Sawit].
8. Vellguth, G., 1985, Performance of vegetable Oils and their Monoesters as Fuels
for Diesel Engines, Renewable energy Rev. J., 7; 16.
9. Wega Trisunaryanti dan Chairil Anwar., 2004, “Pembuatan Bodiesel Sebagai
Bahan Bakar Alternatif: Transesterifikasi Minyak Kelapa dengan Metanol
menggunakan Katalis NaOH”, Lembaran Publikasi Lemigas ISSN: 0125 – 9644,
Vol. 38 No.3.

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