1. Can palm biodiesel be used directly in diesel engines?
Yes. Neat palm biodiesel (straight non-mixed biodiesel) can be
used as fuel in diesel engines without any engine modifications. It can
also be blended in any proportion with petroleum diesel.
2. What is the quality of the palm biodiesel produced using our homegrown technology (MPOB technology)?
The quality of the palm biodiesel produced using MPOB biodiesel
production technology meets the stringent specifications of
international biodiesel specifications of ASTM D6751 and EN 14214.
3. What will happen to our car engines if we revert to petroleum diesel after using palm biodiesel?
The car engine should encounter no problem as studies have shown that
palm biodiesel and petroleum diesel can be blended in any proportion.
Field Trials Using Mercedes Benz (OM352) Diesel Engines
Mounted on Passenger Buses
Mounted on Passenger Buses
4. What is Mercedes-Benz AG view about palm biodiesel?
One of the most exhaustive field trials on the use of palm biodiesel
as diesel fuel was conducted by Mercedes-Benz in collaboration with MPOB
(then PORIM) and Cycle & Carriage. A fleet of 30 Mercedes-Benz
buses with OF 1313 chasis and OM 352 engines were used for the trial.
The buses covered mileages of up to 300,000 to 351,000 km each. The
trial was conducted from June 1990 to July 1995. Followings were
Mercedes-Benz’s conclusions:
‘The test showed that OF 1313 buses with OM 352 engines which have
been actually designed for operation with diesel fuel can just as well
be operated with palm biodiesel or a blend of palm biodiesel and
petroleum diesel. This applies both to the engine performance and
long-term operation. The results of the engine performance for the OM
352 engines can be translated to other direct-injection engines.’
