Background

The National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC) in collaboration with the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) works on the project “Implementation of Higher Blend of Biodiesel” under financial support from the Energy Conservation Fund. The project encompasses various stakeholders, e.g., government, research institutes and industries, both domestic and international, to push forward the policy on increasing biodiesel blending ratio in diesel from 7% to 10% (B10) by biodiesel upgrading technology. The collaborative effort also focuses on setting the B10 as conventional diesel in Thailand from October 1, 2020 onwards.

Research objectives

• Promote the use of biodiesel while reducing crude oil imports and increasing palm oil consumption which are indigenously produced in the country.
• Raise palm oil price, thus increasing income of oil palm farmers in Thailand.
• Build trust with engine manufacturers and consumers on using biodiesel B10 from on road test with vehicles over 100,000 kilometers.
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• Promote and push policies on biodiesel in the country.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emission and PM2.5 for environmental friendliness.

What did research team do? 

• Research team, together with two commercial biodiesel producers, expanded the production capacity of highquality biodiesel to demonstrate the use of biodiesel upgrading technology, incorporating both technical and economic considerations, to produce upgraded biodiesel at the capacity of 10,000 liters.
• Research team performed a quality check for biodiesel according to the criteria of Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), to prevent clogged fuel injector problem before blending as B10 to be tested with 8 pickup trucks over a 100,000 km distance.
• Research team assured the Department of Energy Business to issue B10 national standard from successful usage onroad in 158 vehicles consuming B10 over 99,000 liters.