A commercial launch for B20 biodiesel is anticipated after the Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency Department yesterday completed two years of laboratory testing and field trials.
An oil palm grower harvests production at a plantation in Pathum Thani. Prices of oil palm nuts has been falling since April due to higher supply. But authorities anticipate more use of palm oil in biodiesel production if B20 becomes available commercially. PONGPAT WONGYALA
Deputy director-general Twarath Sutabutr said the department would submit results of the field trials for B20, a blend of 20% biodiesel B100 or methyl ester with 80% hydrocarbon-based diesel, to the new government that will be named this year.
Commercial production should target large trucks, he said.
Field trials were conducted in this year's second quarter with 24 large trucks, each driving 30,000 kilometres.
B20 was supplied by the national oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc for the trials, while the department received financial support from the Energy Conservation Fund.
The large trucks were old models equipped with engines below the Euro 3 international standard. Testing showed a smooth drive and reduced emissions.
Results in terms of oil consumption, effects on the engine and internal parts, and emissions data will be used as references for commercial production.
"Most large trucks in Thailand have engines that don't meet the Euro 3 standard. If the government decides to launch B20, it should come up with alternative choices for motorists," said Mr Twarath.
He said large trucks consumed 60% of the diesel in Thailand or about 30 million litres a day.
Introduction of B20 would be a big move for biofuel use in Thailand after B5 and B7 appeared last year, Mr Twarath said.
The new common rail engines for pickup trucks and the new Euro 4 engines are compatible with fuel containing biodiesel content of 7% or B7.
Mr Twarath said one problem with a commercial launch of B20 was the present cost of pure biodiesel, priced from 32-33 baht a litre excluding taxes and levy to the state Oil Fund compared with 25-26 baht for hydrocarbon-based diesel.
"The future direction of B20 should be the decision of the new government. It will decide whether to promote the uses of biofuels," he said. "B20 could even be subsidised by the government."
Last year, the department joined with Water Pacific Co, a local energy service provider and supplier, to conduct B20 field trials using 40 small and mid-sized fishing boats.
Testing was smooth and deemed satisfactory for fishing operations, but conventional diesel is massively subsidised for fishing boat operators, while channels for B20 are very complex. Commercial development of B20 was then shelved.