The Energy Ministry of Thailand has teamed up with the oil and gas giant PTT PLC, a Thai state-owned SET-listed oil and gas company?, to conduct road trials for B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent conventional hydrocarbon-based diesel, to pave the way for commercial sales of the fuel.
Deputy energy permanent secretary Kurujit Nakornthap said the trials would begin this week at PTT's oil depot in Pathum Thani province, with 12 large trucks each having a test run of about 100,000 kilometres.
Volvo Group will provide technical evaluation of the truck engines and parts after the trials are completed.
The project is financially supported by the Energy Business Department and the Energy Conservation Fund.
Results of the trials will be used by the energy authorities to formulate policies on biofuel development, said Mr Kurujit.
In 2008, Thailand commercially launched B2 and B5 fuels after trials conducted from 2004-07.
Biodiesel content was to be raised to 7 percent or B7 from this past January, but B7 was changed to B3 due to a shortage of palm oil, the feedstock of biodiesel.
"The feedstock is insufficient for the time being, but we must prepare the launch of B20 for when palm oil production increases," Mr Kurujit said.
He said once testing was completed, the ministry would forward the results to the government, which would then make a decision regarding the exact date on which to launch B20.
A report from the US Energy Department's Alternative Fuels Data Center said B20 was the highest content of biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel in which car manufacturers could extend warranty coverage.
Higher biodiesel content than 20% might require certain engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems.
Copyright 2014 - Bangkok Post, Thailand
