For better understanding about bio fuel coconut oil, let us learn the history of coco oil used as energy source, its advantages and drawbacks, and how it might be helpful in the future.

History

The Philippines is the leading producer of coconuts in the world.  For long years, people in this country have made good use of the coconut trees from the roots to the leaves; thus, coconut is considered “The Tree of Life”.

According to the Philippine Coconut Authority, Filipinos used to use coco oil for their household lamps.

During World War II and Japanese occupation, coconut oil biodiesel was used to run engines when there was shortage of diesel fuel supply.

Studies on bio fuel coconut oil continue

Various experiments and scientific studies have already succeeded in showing that using coco oil can run diesel engines.  In fact, in tropical areas like Vanuatu and Bougainville Island where coconut trees grow abundant, people had tried running their trucks and generators with coconut oil bio diesel.  Still in Vanuatu, the coconut oil is mixed with kerosene in 20:1 ratio.  This mixture is also combined with diesel in a ratio of 2:1.  The end result is an efficient biofuel sold to truck drivers at lower price than pure diesels.

Advantages

In general, biofuels provide countless benefits especially for the environment as they are nontoxic and biodegradable.   Gas or energy from plant sources, when utilized and burned, only emits the carbon dioxide (CO2) that they have taken from the atmosphere.  Fossil-fuel emissions of excessive CO2 creates an imbalance in the ecosystem as there is no cycle of taking in and giving out of CO2 unlike with plants.  Bio fuels are the CLEANER fuels.

1.    Cheaper
Bio diesel coconut oil and biofuel coco oil can be the cheaper choice especially for the locals of the tropics.  They would not have to import diesel as they could already produce fuel for running engines, generators, and mills.  Or, if they would still have to buy diesel from outside sources, mixing coco oil to use the diesel cuts the cost at significant amount.

2.    Accessible
Aside from being cheap, rural areas have easier access to coconut oil biofuel.  They would not have more difficulty in finding sources of energy or fuel to generate electricity when price of oil gets too high.

3.    Renewable
When coconuts are used, it is considerably easy to replace them.  Coconut trees can grow in almost any kind of soil even in sandy soils in seashores.  More so, they live and bear fruit for up to more than sixty years. It is considered a “three-generation tree” which can support a farmer, his children and his grandchildren.

4.    Sustainable
As said, biofuels do not give out excessive CO2 that could harm the environment.  Biofuel coconut oil has a neutral effect on the CO2 deposits in the atmosphere.  More so, the smoke it emits does not irritate the nose, some say it even smells sweet.

5.    A plus for farmers
A rise in the demand of coconut from the market greatly helps the native farmers in tropical countries.  More jobs for them mean more income.  Consequently, a boom in the coconut industry is helpful to the local economy.

Drawbacks and Potential Disadvantages

Though coco oil can be very useful and safe for the atmosphere, utilizing it as biofuel may have some drawbacks and may carry out potential disadvantages.

1.    Solidifies
The main problem with coco oil biodiesel is that it begins to solidify when temperatures are below 22°C and is completely solid when temperature reaches 14°C.  This blocks the fuel filter.  That is why coco oil as fuel is more suitable in places with warmer climates.

To solve the problem, it is most of the time suggested to mix bio fuel coconut oil with diesel or kerosene.  Attaching a heat exchanger in the fuel line will be more efficient solution too.

If you would choose to use pure coconut oil, extensive mechanical refining can reduce the possibility of oil solidification.

2.    Deforestation issue
Issues about deforestation were raised when an airline owner tested coconut oil bio diesel on flying one of his planes.  It is true that it requires huge amounts of coconut oil biodiesel or biofuel to fill in a car tank, much more of a plane. One hundred fifty thousand coconuts and a quantity of babassu oil could only run 20% of one of the four tanks of the aircraft.

But as mentioned earlier, coconut oil is very renewable.  It only takes responsible farming and utilization of the natural resource that could help avoid the possibility of exploiting the coconut industry.

The future of biofuel coconut oil

Between year 2000 and 2007, global biofuel production grew three times and 90% of which was concentrated in Brazil, United States and the European Union. 

The Britain government wants five percent of all its motor fuels to come from rapeseed and palm biofuels in 2010.

Richard Branson, one of the richest in the world and owner of Virgin Atlantic Airways made history himself with the use of biofuel coconut oil and some babassu palm oil to fly one of his airplanes.  Indeed, it was a success as it took off from Heathrow Airport and landed safely at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam

These developments in the coconut oil and biofuel industry show a bright future for the use of natural renewable resources to produce fuels.  This will open solutions to high energy price problems, conservation and efficient use of energy, and utilization of other alternative fuels.  More so, if this progress goes on, we look forward to a planet freer from air pollution.