How To Make Biodiesel

Mar. 13–Processing ethanol into methyl ester to make biodiesel is being considered as a way to absorb an oversupply of ethanol, according to Metta Buntherngsuk, the director-general of the Department of Energy Business. Local production of ethanol currently stands at 700,000 litres per day. But demand for ethanol to produce gasohol 95 is only 300,000 litres per day, leaving 400,000 litres per day as a surplus. Local ethanol supplies are expected to reach 4.8 million litres per day over the next few years from 26 producers who have been licensed since 2005. Based on gasoline demand nationwide of 20 million litres per day, demand for ethanol would be only two million litres per day if all regular and premium gasoline supplies were to be phased out of the market in favour of gasohol. The producers who obtained licences were counting on being able to tap heavy demand for gasohol, as the previous government had intended to end sales of premium gasoline this past January. However, the interim government reversed that decision, saying that gasoline would remain available as long as there were cars that could not use gasohol. Most vehicles made before 1995 cannot use gasohol, and even the makers of some new vehicles advise owners against using the fuel. Efforts to process ethanol, currently made from molasses and cassava roots, into methyl ester are aimed at reducing the glut on the market. Previously ethanol was also mixed with regular gasoline (octane 91 petrol) to make gasohol 91. “Whether methyl ester processed from ethanol can be mixed with diesel in a 5 percent proportion to make biodiesel, known as B5, will depend on [a feasibility] study,” said Mr Metta. If the study proves that methyl ester from ethanol could be mixed with diesel, it could help eliminate the ethanol surplus since existing diesel demand is 2.5 million litres per day. Earlier, a group of ethanol suppliers urged the government to help address the ethanol glut since new plants would add one million litres per day of ethanol this year. Last week, oil companies stepped up efforts to promote gasohol by offering free maintenance to motorists who could prove that using gasohol 91 or 95 had harmed their engines. Petrol stations will soon be equipped to sell gasohol 91 to help push up gasohol demand to eight million litres per day in the near future. An industry source said he supported the government’s plan to phase out premium gasoline from the market, which would in turn would help increase gasohol 95 demand, thereby significantly helping reduce the ethanol supply. The government should also look at ways to export ethanol as another measure to eliminate the surplus fuel, he said. Credit: Bangkok Post, Thailand

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