Malaysia's Cost Saving Biopro Diesel

By Kisho Kumari Sucedaram JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's latest innovation the Biopro Diesel not only costs 40 percent less compared with standard diesel fuel but it also emits less toxic fumes that are hazardous to the health and environment. The biofuel developed by a group of scientists from Universiti Malaya (UM) is made out of palm oil mill effluent and needs no additives to improve its combustion properties. "This product, the outcome of 12 years of diligent research by the team and put to final test today is a success. We will be able to market the fuel nationwide by October next year and also worldwide in the near future," UM's Vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin told Bernama here at the end of the test recently. He said the research was done with Gyrus Tech Sdn Bhd, a UM spin-off company to disseminate and commercialise UM's innovations headed by Dr Ishenny Mohd Noor from UM's Chemical Engineering Department. During the final test phase for Biopro, members of the media had the opportunity to take a ride on the bus that runs on the biofuel covering a distance of 750km from Petaling Jaya to Johor Baharu and return on the same day. THE FINAL TEST GIVEN THE THUMBS UP The 14-hour ride was very smooth and pleasant without any hitches or engine problems. There was no unpleasant diesel odour, unlike in most vehicles running on ordinary diesel. Some of the media members on board even tried hard to sniff the slightest smell of diesel in the air within and outside the bus but found nothing. "All buses and heavy commercial vehicles that have been emitting thick black polluting smoke and all those toxic monoxides especially in the cities must be compelled to run on this Biopro Diesel," exclaimed one excited journalist in the bus. Dr Ishnenny, meanwhile, said the production of the Biopro Diesel is the first of its kind in Malaysia and also in the world. It has been patented under UM patent and already received several awards including gold medal invention at Kuala Lumpur International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2013, gold medal award at Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF) 2013 and double gold medal award at British International Invention Show (BIS) 2013 in London. "We have yet to come across any competitor for Biopro. I believe it will be the bestseller in the market," he said. NO CARBON AND TOXIC EMISSION Explaining the benefits of Biopro, Dr Ishnenny said the fuel not only enhanced the engine power but also burnt clean, with less exhaust fumes that contain CO2 and SO2. "It is environment friendly, and conforms to the Euro2M and Euro4M requirements," he added. The media team was also impressed with the cost-savings aspect as the 750 km return trip only consumed 180 litres of the diesel and the fuel tank was still half-full at the end of journey. Aniza Zainudin from myMetro, the Sunday edition of the Harian Metro tabloid, was amazed to note the fuel gauge indicating half tank remaining and she declared that Biopro Diesel was a super saver that Malaysia and the whole world needs. Explaining on the extra mileage for Biopro Diesel, Dr Ishenny noted that this was achieved due to improved combustion and therefore for each liter of Biopro Diesel one gets up to four kilometers per liter unlike 1.3 kilometer using standard diesel. "Due to the improved combustion, better mileage and smooth engine performance is achieved with the vehicle feeling lighter when driving," he said. Furthermore, Dr Ishenny pointed out Biopro Diesel also acts as a lubricant layer on top of the piston unlike using the ordinary diesel where the lubricant is under the piston to reduce friction and save on the energy wasted. BUS DRIVER'S PLEASANT EXPERIENCE Meanwhile, the bus driver, Kuzaimi Mustafa, 33, said that he felt many significant differences driving the bus using Biopro in term of fuel saving, cost saving and the smooth journey without even the slightest engine knocking. "It's obvious...a big difference. A bus running on ordinary diesel usually consume about 280 litres one-way for the trip to Johor Baharu," he said adding that Biopro Diesel should be the obvious and natural choice for bus and any other heavy vehicles its provides huge cost savings for the companies. In term of technical aspects, Kuzaimi who has been UM's driver for 10 years said it was also free from toxic smoke and thus harmless to health. He said before this, the fuel was tested on a Mitsubishi Storm pickup truck over the winding road to Ulu Yam. "With this new wonderful fuel, there is no need to change gear as often though while driving along the narrow and winding road to Ulu Yam. "There's no intoxicating smell of the ordinary diesel which can cause headache to many. There's only the pleasant bubble gum smell," said. He shared that the bus engine too felt 'light' with Biopro Diesel even upon acceleration on hilly stretches compared with the loud roar of the ordinary diesel engine during gear changes. Kuzaimi said all buses in the UM campus with 50-passenger capacity were running on BioPro diesel now. And, the best part according to Dr Ishnenny was that all vehicles wanting to change to Biopro Diesel need no engine modification or additional gadgets at all. Just fill up with Biopro Diesel and enjoy the smooth and cost-saving ride. -- BERNAMA