WITH the approval of the National Biofuels Board (NBB) to increase the mandated biodiesel blend from 2% to 5%, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), in collaboration with the University of the Philippines – National Center for Transportation Studies (UP-NCTS), is now set to launch its on-road test of (B5) in public transport vehicles to be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2013.
The study will make use of seven (7) in-use jeepneys of operators belonging to transport groups identified by the PCA and Department of Energy (DOE). Jeepneys should be in good running condition with relatively new set of tires and with a good braking performance. The test jeepneys shall undergo inspection at the North Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (NMVIC) of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for assessment of roadworthiness and compliance to emission standards.
The duration of this on-road test is 25 days. For the first five days, the test jeepneys shall make use of the exisiting blend (B2). In the succeeding 20 days, these jeepneys will be fuelled with the 5% – coco methyl ester (CME) biodiesel blend (B5). After the 25-day on-road test, the participating jeepneys shall be tested for fuel economy and power efficiency. Opacity tests shall also be conducted to compare emission performance of B2 and B5 biodiesel fuel blends.
PCA Administrator Euclides G. Forbes bared that mandated use of biofuels would strengthen the domestic market for coconut which will create a P19.6B– income as B5 means greater demand for CNO. The country would also save as much as P15.5B on fuel displacement.
“This aims to reduce the independence on imported fuels with due regard to the protection of public health, the environment and the natural ecosystems consistent with the country’s sustainable economic growth that would expand opportunities for livelihood, “he added. As the CME blend increases from 2% to 5%, about 1,099 CME plant workers, 13,183 coconut oil (CNO) milling workers and 23,070 farm workers will be hired. Moreover, coconut farmers will benefit P4.838M per year from the lien collected through the Social Amelioration and Welfare Program (SAWP).
Research and experiments on the use of coco biodiesel as fuel were pioneered by PCA in 1983 together with the other agencies such as Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC-ERDC), National Power Corporation (NPC), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). In May 2001, PCA together with the Department of Agriculture (DA) launched a Biodiesel Development Project to test the viability of coconut biodiesel as engine fuel wherein test results showed a reduction of around 50% on their smoke emissions.
“As to the B5 blend, the visible cloud of black smoke consisting of carbon and sulfur particulates is reduced by as much as 80%,” Forbes added. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas dominant in automotive emissions which mainly contributes to global warming. In contrast, coco biodiesel has a neutral carbon footprint. Coconut tree, once planted, absorbs CO2 during growing stage (called carbon sink). Every liter of fossil diesel displaced by cocodiesel represents a CO2 reduction of 3.5 kg per liter of fuel used.
The Administrator ensures the increased productivity and sustainable supply of biofuel feedstock as PCA continues to implement its massive planting and replanting programs.
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