Feasibility Study Of Using Ethanol And Petrol Blends In Malaysia

• Main Author: Angelina Eno, John Sikos
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English; English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, (UNIMAS) 2013
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/36517/1/angelina%20%2824pgs%29.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/36517/4/Angelina%20Eno%20John%20Sikos%20ft.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/36517/

Bioethanol derived from lignocellulosic biomass can be seen as an alternative energy source in Malaysia. This is due to the depletion in petroleum supplies and the prices are expected to increase sharply. Other major concern is the pollution originating by burning fossil fuel. The possible raw materials in Malaysia are oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), banana stem and sago hampas. These three were compared based on sugar yield, annual ethanol yield and the acreage. From the comparison, sago hampas is chosen as the most feasible raw material. For experimental design, ethanol is blended with petrol (RON95) to determine the calorific value. 11 test blends ranging from O percent to 100 percent ethanol with an increment of 10 percent were used. The result of the experiment shows that the higher blends have lower calorific value and high mileage losses. From the economic analysis, it shows that the production ethanol from sago hampas is feasible. However, when compared with sugar price, mileage losses and the price the blend, ethanol is not feasible to be used.