Fuel Choices for Diesel Generators in Southeast Asia: Diesel vs. Biodiesel

On สิงหาคม 26, 2025

The fuel choice for diesel generators in Southeast Asia directly impacts operating costs, equipment lifespan, and environmental compliance. Due to differing fuel policies across countries (e.g., Indonesia's mandatory B30 biodiesel and Thailand's promotion of B7), many buyers face key questions: "Can my generator run on biodiesel? Which fuel is more economical and reliable?" This article compares the advantages and disadvantages of traditional diesel and biodiesel and provides local adaptation recommendations.

I. Traditional Diesel vs. Biodiesel: Key Comparisons

Comparison items	Traditional diesel	Biodiesel (such as palm oil B20)
Calorific value	35.8 MJ/L (high energy)	33.2 MJ/L (5-10% lower, increased fuel consumption)
Lubricity	Fair (additives required)	Better (reduces injector wear)
Stability	Not easily deteriorated during long-term storage	Easily oxidized (may stratify after 6 months)
Environmental protection	High sulfur (restricted in some countries)	Low sulfur, reduced CO₂ emissions (in line with RPO policy)
Price	Higher (affected by international oil prices)	10-30% lower (cheaper after Indonesian B30 subsidies)

Case Study: A Malaysian palm oil mill uses B20 biodiesel, saving 18% annual fuel costs, but requires fuel system cleaning every three months.

II. Biodiesel Compatibility: Which Generators Can Use It?

1. Models with Factory Biodiesel Compatibility

Perkins 1100 Series: Supports B20 (short-term) or B10 (long-term);
Cummins QSL9: Supports B30 after modification;
Chinese Brands (Weichai, Yuchai): Check the model suffix (e.g., "-BD" indicates biodiesel compatibility).

2. Usage Restrictions

Mixture Ratio: B20 (20% biodiesel) is the upper limit for most power plants; B100 requires a dedicated engine.
Temperature Effect: Condensation is likely at low temperatures (<15°C). Fuel tank heating is required in mountainous areas of northern Thailand/Vietnam.

III. Policies and Fuel Recommendations in Southeast Asian Countries

Country	Current Standards	Generator Adaptation Recommendations
Indonesia	B30 Mandatory	Choose a corrosion-resistant fuel system (stainless steel filter)
Thailand	B7 Popular, B10 Pilot	Avoid long-term use of B10 or above to prevent gum clogging
Vietnam	Mainly uses conventional diesel	Biodiesel is only recommended for short-term emergency use (such as E5 bioethanol)
Philippines	No mandatory policy	Use with caution in coastal areas (high humidity accelerates biodiesel oxidation)

IV. Three Major Risks and Solutions for Biodiesel Use

1. Fuel System Corrosion

Problem: Biodiesel easily absorbs water, leading to microbial growth and corrosion of metal components.
Solution: Install a water separation filter (such as the Racor 500FG) and drain accumulated water monthly.

2. Carbon and Gum Accumulation

Problem: Long-term use of B20+ may clog fuel injectors.
Solution: Add a fuel cleaner (such as Liqui Moly Diesel Purge) every 500 hours.

3. Difficult Cold Starts

Problem: Biodiesel has poor fluidity at low temperatures.
Solution: Install a fuel heater (such as a Kim Hotstart) to maintain an oil temperature >20°C.

V. Economic Analysis: When to Choose Biodiesel?

Suitable Applications:

Countries with biodiesel subsidies, such as Indonesia and Malaysia;
Short-term operation (<8 hours/day), avoiding long-term storage;
Projects with high environmental requirements (such as construction sites in Singapore).

Unsuitable Applications: