Biodiesel in Malta: The Clear Choice for Clean Air

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Biodiesel in Malta The Clear Choice for Clean
Air

• Student Researchers
• Meghan Gemma
• Chelsea Jenkins
• Corinne Melville

Project Advisor Amy Townsend
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Overview

• Maltas
• Energy Profile
• Transportation Infrastructure
• Transportation Emissions
• Biodiesel
• Basics
• Lifecycle and Emission Comparisons
• Diesel Emission Impacts
• Performance Overview
• In Malta
• GIS mapping
• Key Advantages
• What Next?/Biodiesels future in Malta

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Maltas Energy Profile

• Production of primary energy is fossil fuel-based
• All is imported
• Enemalta monopoly since 1977
• Fast-paced economic growth in the area
• 1980 520 kilotonnes of oil
• 2000 760 kilotonnes of oil

• Large percentage of Maltas energy consumption is
  for transport purposes
• Energy sector (electrical power generation and
  transport) main contributor to greenhouse gas
  emissions

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The Maltese Transportation Infrastructure

• Proportion of diesel vehicles risen
• Better fuel economy/lower prices
• 1989-1998 drivers increased and bus travelers
  decreased
• 75 journeys carry single driver

• Significant amount of vehicles diesel fueled
• 98 all commercial vehicles, 18 private cars

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Vehicular Emissions

• 2002 leaded petrol eliminated
• No catalytic converters
• Very little information available on air quality
• MEPA State of the Environment Report for Malta
  2002
• Yearly avg NOx 40 ug/cu
• 30 ug/cu for protection of vegetative life
• Asthma and hay fever

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Biodiesel Basics

• Cleaner burning diesel fuel
• Contains no petroleum, can be blended
• _at_ any level
• BXX xx is the volume percent of biodiesel in
  mix (B20 20 biodiesel)
• Renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic, free of
  aromatic compounds sulfur
• Can be used in diesel engine w/ no major
  modifications
• Rudolph Diesels original design
• Made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or
  recycled cooking oil

• Transesterification
• Two products fatty acid methyl ester
• (biodiesel) and glycerin (soap)

• Fossil energy efficiency ratios
• 3.215 for biodiesel v. 0.8837 for diesel
• For every 1 unit energy needed, 3.24 gained
• 4 times more efficient in utilizing fossil energy
  
• than fossil diesel

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Lifecycle emission comparisons

• Overall lifecycle emissions B100 versus fossil
  diesel
• CO2 78 lower
• PM 32 lower
• Eliminates SOx
• Hydrocarbons 37 lower
• Lifecycle production of wastewater 79 lower
• Hazardous solid waste production 96 lower
• NOx increased
• In general 10, 2 for B20
• Absence of sulfur enables use of NOx technologies
• Closed Carbon Cycle
• CO2 used to grow plant put back into biosphere

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Emission Comparisons
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Diesel Emission Impacts

• Global Warming CO, CO2
• Acid Rain and Erosion SOx, NOx
• Smog and Regional Haze
• Respiratory and Health Problems
• Particulate Matter (PM)
• Hydrocarbons and Smog
• Ozone
• Crop Damage
• Cancer PAH

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Performance

• High lubricity
• High BTU content
• High cetane number 53 (average)
• Less engine wear
• Can be used in all engines after 1993
• Change filter after 200 miles (solvent)
• Does NOT void engine warranty
• No unpleasant aroma
• Similar torque, power, and fuel economy

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Biodiesel in Malta

• EU regulations
• By 2005, 2 of fuel must be replaced with
  biofuels
• By 2010, 5.75 of fuel must be replaced with
  biofuels
• Enemalta and Edible Oil
• Maltese not knowledgeable about biodiesel
• PR Public Profile Campaign TV, news, ads

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Biodiesel in Malta

• Edible Oil Refining Company Inc.
• Use collected waste oil and animal fats
• Began production of biodiesel in March 2002
• Restaurants, Hotels, and Catering Establishments
• Currently only collect 500 tons/year
• Estimated total of 6500-7000 tons should be
  recollectable
• Captive market 3000 tons
• McDonalds is the largest donator approx. 40 of
  waste oil
• Local Contribution Incentives
• Free collection service
• 3c8 for every litre of waste oil returned
• Audit certificate stating amount of used oil
  collected
• Current Standing
• Must import large amounts of waste oil due to
  lack of local participation
• Sell biodiesel for 28 cents/litre
• Opposed to 29 cents/litre for fossil diesel
• Run majority of personal fleet on biodiesel
• Cars, trucks, heavy equipment, and boilers
• Waste grease disposal

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Key Advantages

• Environmental
• Reduce tailpipe emissions, carcinogenic
  pollutants, and greenhouse gasses
• Support Local Economy
• Job creation, use of domestic sources for energy
  production, lowered maintenance costs, introduce
  competition (monopoly driven society)

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Biodiesel in Malta A Mapping Perspective

• Use of Geographic Information Science (GIS) to
  present data in map form.
• Maps
• Edible Oil Refining Company Ltd.
• Displays location and proximity of EORC to other
  localities.
• Incidence of Waste Oil Contributors by Locality,
  Malta, 2004.
• Indicates level of participation by catering
  establishments/hotels in contribution of waste
  oil.
• Small number of contributors in comparison to
  overall number of establishments.
• Incidence of Contributors Receiving Rebate,
  Malta, 1995.
• Population Density by Locality, Malta, 1995.
• Modifications and Additional Maps
• Obstacles encountered

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What next?

• By Jan 1, 2005
• 2 all fossil diesel replaced by biofuels
• B2 in all fuel stations
• Accurate and standard air quality data should be
  collected
• Waste oil collection system needs to be put into
  place
• Ollie system pilot program
• Cooperation
• Commercial and residential waste oil producers,
  Maltese government, public/private corps,
  educational programs
• Educational programs

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Recommendations

• More public participation in oil donation
• Enforce legal notice prohibiting dumping
• Standardized method of collection
• Commercial and residential
• Pilot Program form organization for
  diversification of fuel mix
• Stakeholders and funding
• Town meetings and working groups
• Fleets and infrastructure
• Education and public outreach
• Public affairs and incentives
• Creation of niche markets
• Government
• Promote the use of biodiesel incentives and
  subsidies for biodiesel users and producers
• Cooperation between government and private sector
• If successful, Malta will serve as a model for
  other small island countries

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Any Questions?
A Special Thanks To Dr. Amy Townsend Edible Oil
Refining Company Ltd. Dr. Alfred J. Vella