Biofuel for Internal Combustion Engine

The limited availability of non-renewable fuel urges people to utilize any sources of alternative energy. Currently, petroleum dominates the main source of fuel for combustion purposes thus renewable energy is a solution to overcome this problem.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for a diesel engine that can replace or reduce the use of diesel fuel. Biodiesel is originated from vegetable resources that are formed through a transesterification reaction. Biofuel is made of vegetable oil from plants that grow in Indonesia such as palm oil, coconut, hazelnut, jatropha, nyamplung, kapok, peanuts, and so on. To take advantage of Indonesia’s abundant vegetables, this study recommends that biodiesel be processed only from non-edible plants such as castor oil.

This biodiesel fuel is degradable, emits lower emissions, reduces global warming and air pollution, and is environmentally friendly.

Bioethanol

Other than biofuel the source of renewable energy is bioethanol. In previous studies, people made a compact distillatory design by utilizing exhaust gas from motor fuel of ethanol processing. Bioethanol is widely used as an additional biofuel which is commonly used in developing countries. Bioethanol has a high-octane number, so it increases the gasoline’s octane number when get mixed with the right composition. Moreover, it will make gasoline consumption much more efficient.

Advantages

When it is used, Biodiesel and Bioethanol will be mixed with fossil fuel at a certain percentage. In this case, biodiesel is mixed with diesel fuel, while bioethanol is mixed with gasoline.

Waste resulting from biodiesel is glycerin, the basic ingredient for soap, so biodiesel is safe for the environment. When combusted, both Biodiesel and Bioethanol emit low carbon monoxide, making them environmentally friendly. Both are very efficient and can increase energy. The combustion of cooler Bioethanol can extend engine life. To meet industrial standard quality, bioethanol requires agricultural products such as sugar cane, corn, and cassava which are found very abundantly in Indonesia; therefore, it can benefit farmers.

Quote:

” Biological resources are Indonesia’s abundant heritage, and they can highly be potentially processed into biofuel. We can do many things with such resources.” 

– Prof. Dr. Ir. Bambang Sugiarto, M.Eng.