The Potential of Palm Oil as a Motor Fuel

Abstract

ABSTRACT PALM oils can be substituted for petroleum fuels in diesel engines but pose flow and atomization problems because of high viscosity and the tendency to solidify at intermediate and low temperatures. This study details production and energy-balance characteristics of the oil palm system, and provides information on the physical and chemical nature of palm oils and their derivatives. Tests of these oils, palm/diesel mixtures and palm oil esters as diesel engine fuels indicated generally satisfactory performance, although efficiencies were in most cases slightly less than with conventional diesel fuel.