Biofuel Made From Waste Cooking Oil Is Powering Transportation, Construction And Events In The UAE
Biofuel is produced locally in the UAE, by sourcing waste cooking oil from restaurants and commercial kitchens in the UAE, both directly and through local dealers.
Compared to petroleum diesel, when biofuel is used in conventional diesel engines, the lower sulfur and higher oxygen content results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfates and particulate matter.
This innovative approach builds on the solid science and engineering behind a superior biofuel which does not require vehicle modification, does not increase fuel consumption, and actually makes the engines run better.
In addition to B100, the purest form of biofuel, various blends are available in the UAE market, primarily B5 (a blend of 5% biofuel and 95% petroleum diesel) and B20 (a blend of 20% biofuel and 80% petroleum diesel) compliant with European standards. In increasing order of sales volume, B100, B20 and B5 constitute the majority of the biofuel business in the UAE.
Batch production enables to make different blends for customer requirements, provided the volume is sufficient. Some customers use blends depending on the market pricing of petroleum diesel, because engines don’t need to be modified and there’s no difference in fuel consumption. Biofuel blends, and indeed pure B100 biofuel, are compatible with any engine, compliant with Euro 2 to Euro 6 standards. Customers could use B10 for a week and then switch to B20 or B30 for another week and so on.
The UAE does not yet have a biofuel distribution infrastructure. So, biofuel is produced on demand and delivered via fuel tankers. Customers have the option of installing dedicated biofuel dispensing tanks or filling stations at their premises or on construction sites. The ordering and delivery processes is managed through a data-driven approach that involves real-time fuel monitoring using IoT sensors.
Some customers prefer to blend it themselves. A leading UAE petrol chain for example, procures B100 and blends it with 95% petroleum diesel to create B5, which the company retails under the brand name Biofuel 5. In 2018, this petrol chain launched a pilot project with Dubai Municipality using Biofuel 5 to fuel the Municipality’s fleet of trucks at its Umm Ramool facility.
Since July 2011 a major fast food retailer entered into a partnership with UAE-based biofuel manufacturer to power its delivery trucks with B100 made entirely from used vegetable oil, a waste product sourced from the retailer’s restaurants in the UAE.
By March 2019, these delivery trucks clocked over 12 million kilometers without the need to modify or upgrade their engines. According to the retailer, the adoption of B100 biofuel has translated to almost 100% reduction in CO2 emissions from its trucks.
Other customer use B100 to power their generators at music and dance outdoor events. The entire venue, including the stage, sound, lighting and effects was supplied flawlessly with electricity.
