TheJakartaPost
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Your letters: Problem behind biodiesel production
I refer to an article titled âA new plan to support biofuel blend,â (The Jakarta Post, March 17, p13)
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I
refer to an article titled 'A new plan to support biofuel blend,' (The Jakarta Post, March 17, p13).
What surprises me more is the apparent ignorance of the real problems behind biodiesel production. Higher biodiesel blends are possible but fraught with difficulties in their application.
Even at current blend ratios, problems like coagulation, bio contamination etc. during postproduction are plaguing producers and with or without subsidies, biodiesel production is likely to be costly without an innovative and permanent solution.
The good news is that the technology is already available in our midst, making it possible for blends up to 70 percent, lower emissions, better burning and no modifications to machinery. Just imagine the potential impact that is likely to have on foreign exchange connected with imports of fossil diesel. Given the current challenges it remains to be seen how far an impact the new blending mandate will make.
Ramlee Ibrahim
Jakarta
