A motorist’s perspective on biodiesel

As today’s title states, this particular reader took time out to conduct his own tests on biodiesel, and wrote to share his personal experience. Gerardo P. Baron used his own motor vehicles (a Nissan Terrano and a Mitsubishi Pajero) to gain some insights on how biodiesel behaves in Philippine driving conditions.

Below are parts of Baron’s letter showing how he conducted his road tests. Read on.

"To see balanced tests, I began comparing Envirotek (BioAktiv), CME, home-made FAME, and regular diesel a few weeks ago using my Terrano fitted with an auxiliary tank for measuring and switching fuel blends. The tests also ran with only one brand of fuel, over the same terrain, and at similar speeds to minimize variables.

"The initial results show definite improvement in mileage (and perceived improvements in power and emissions) when biodiesel is used. Being privately funded, the tests have been limited but will continue until results are conclusive. Please do not underestimate home-made FAME. Just like home-cooked meals, extra care was followed to ensure quality as it can damage my vehicle’s engine unnecessarily.

"Even if biodiesel can reportedly increase fuel mileage and engine power, in addition to lowering emissions, verified data are not easy to find locally. Flying V, for example, claims fuel mileage will increase by 10 percent with a one-percent CME blend but there seem to be no independent test reports. The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) continues to test coconut oil (CNO) for some of their vehicles, but as you know, CNO is not biodiesel.

"I previously worked on biogas, a fuel that we can also produce abundantly from wastes. Studying biodiesel only seemed natural after biogas. Both fuels can be produced locally from wastes that are readily available and that would otherwise cause pollution if not disposed-of properly.

More people will benefit

"Compared to biogas, the benefits of biodiesel will naturally benefit more people — poor farmers with their small diesel engines and rich companies with their many large engines. As biodiesel is manufactured locally and can even be made at home, we do not have to wait for Congress to legislate or force us to use it. If it is good, we should begin using it immediately.

"As with any new product, there are risks. Thanks to the Internet, one can find vast information on biodiesel. And, much of that information indicates that biodiesel is a good and ideal fuel. As it is derived from plants, it is renewable. As the original diesel engine was designed to run on vegetable oil, more research should be encouraged. As it is supposedly less polluting, its priceless value to the environment must not be overlooked.

"I decided to gather first-hand info on biodiesel. As the foundation of many important discoveries, this is exciting and meaningful work. Since local biodiesel does not appear to meet DIN and ASTM specs anyway, I opted also to make and test home-made biodiesel from used cooking oil.

"Here are my initial findings based on three trials (Trial 1: Aug.7, NLEX Sta. Ines to Quezon City using NLEX; Trial 2: Aug. 11, QC to Bulacan to QC using NLEX; and Trial 3: Aug. 15, QC to Sta. Ines through NLEX):

• Diesel (no additive): 11.21 km/li, 8.97 km/li (slow, stop and go driving through Pulilan & Baliwag towns), and 12.59 km/li;

• One percent BioAktiv CME blend: 12.32 km/li; 11.36 km/li; and 12.59 km/li; and

• Five-percent home-made FAME blend: 12.23 km/li; 11.58 km/li; and 12.19 km/li.

Blended fuels show improved mileage

"Although the blended fuels showed improved mileage versus un-blended diesel, with one-percent Bioaktiv CME performing better than the five-percent FAME, it is best to make more tests and validate results before making any conclusions. These tests will continue until that is accomplished. Emission testing before and after each run is also being planned.

"My Mitsubishi Pajero, 2.5L Turbo Intercooler with AT has been using the five-percent home-made FAME blend for five weeks. Some mileage improvement, increase in power and less smoke is very apparent. Unfortunately, the vehicle is not equipped for fuel metering as the Terrano.

"An update will be submitted in a few weeks. I hope the information provided here and in the future will spur more interest on this promising fuel additive.

"I should probably point out that I know both Bobby Kanapi of Shell and director Mario Marasigan of the Department of Energy. Bobby is a friend and a former schoolmate. Director Marasigan provided a kind ear when I approached the DOE for assistance in promoting the home biogas system (HBS) I designed for backyard pig-farms. My studies on biodiesel and the data presented above were gathered independently using personal funds. Bobby or director Marasigan was not aware of these tests.

"I am a mechanical engineer involved in layer poultry farming. My worries about the unabated rise in fuel prices led to my study of biogas and the quest for better and cheaper ways to produce it. Design and building plans for the HBS are available for free upon request by email to: [email protected] or SMS at +63927-407-1142. An innovative and less expensive biogas-to-electricity system is also available for commercial piggeries."

Additional tests

Gerardo Baron sent this e-mail a few days after he sent the first one reprinted above. This is basically additional data that our readers may want to peruse.

"Here is an update on my Tarlac to Manila trip on Aug. 19 as part of my tests on one percent CME (Envirotek BioActive), five-percent home-made biodiesel (HMBD), and regular diesel (as control.)

"Recognizing that five-percent HMBD added immediately after consuming one-percent CME is producing residual effects, I used HMBD before CME on Aug. 19. To produce a 30-km test run with minimum variables (i.e., traffic), loops around the NLEX were made.

• Diesel: 11.77 km/li (29.30 km, 2.49 L diesel, 80 kph with no aircon);

• Five-percent HMBD: 12.68 km/L (55.90 km, 4.41 L blend, 80 kph with no AC); and

• One-percent CME: 11.93 km/L (28.40 km, 2.38 L blend, 80 kph with no AC).

"The drop in fuel mileage between HMBD and CME resembles the drop noticed when HMBD was added after CME. The two additives must be affecting (canceling out) each other. The results will be validated in the next run, then tests will be modified to prevent this phenomenon.

"In addition, tests to see if lower HMBD blends are better will be conducted. Why add more additive if a small quantity is all that is needed? The help of other interested parties will expedite these tests. I will be happy to design and implement a test procedure to anyone interested.

"In the meantime, I hope you agree in my observations that biodiesels help increase fuel mileage. I am also convinced that calling biodiesels an additive or fuel enhancer may be better than calling it biodiesel.

"Calling it an additive may even make it easier to sell locally and around the world."

As debates on the use of biodiesel rage on, we need more insights like the above from other Filipino motorists.

Poker skills challenge at Angeles City

Philippine Poker Tour (PPT) announced that the next qualifying leg for the Million-Peso Hold’em Philippine Championship will be held at Casino Filipino Angeles City on Saturday, 2nd September 2006. Winners of this satellite tournament will be awarded guaranteed seats to the grand finals to be held on 16th and 17th December at Casino Filipino Pavilion Manila.

The 2nd Million-Peso Hold’em Philippine Championship is a joint project of PPT and Pagcor, the country’s gaming authority. It is the biggest non-wager poker skills tournament to date with P3 million worth of prizes at stake. The champion of the grand finals is guaranteed to receive P1 million worth of prizes and the much-coveted Champion Bracelet.

Many are expected to participate in the grand finals through the satellite tournament route. With tournament fees as low as P2,500 to P3,000, one can compete in satellite tournaments, and earn a seat and a chance to win valuable prizes at stake during the grand finals. Satellite tournaments are also regularly held at Valle Verde County Club every Wednesday and Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon.

Those interested to know more about the Angeles Hold’em Challenge and details on how to join satellite tournaments may visit the PPT official website www.PhilippinePokerTour.com or call the Secretariat (c/o Cindy) at 817-9092 or 812-0153.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 4th Floor, 156 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected] or at [email protected]. If you wish to view the previous columns, you may visit my website at http://bizlinks.linkedge.biz.