B30 Application Test at Agriculture Machines to Complete by January 2020

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 726.Pers/04/SJI/2019

Date: 30 December 2019

B30 Application Test at Agriculture Machines to Complete by January 2020

After the successful road test of B30 at diesel vehicles, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR) through the Research and Development Center for Oil and Gas Technologies (PPPTMGB) "LEMIGAS" continues with B30 application test at agriculture machines. The test is done by comparing the performance of tractor machines that use B20 fuel with tractor machines that use B30.

The application test is made up of the performance test of tractor diesel engine at test bench, the performance test of two-wheeled tractor (lab and field tests), and the endurance test for 1,000 hours. Other tests are also done to four-wheeled tractors, namely performance test at test bench and endurance test for 1,000 hours. These tests started in November 2019 and are targeted to finish by the end of January 2020.

Head of EMR Research and Development Agency Dadan Kusdiana explains that the usage of B30 for various sectors is urgent that it has become the President's major concern. B30 fuel is officially implemented on 1 January 2020, while the public launch was announced by the President on 28 December 2019.

Chief R&D of PT Kubota Indonesia Ristiawan explains that until the end of December 2019, the application test has completed 679 out of the targeted 1,000 hours. This time limit refers to guarantee period that companies give to their consumers.

"For the non-stop tests, they will be complete in about two months," said Rustiawan when he received the visit of Head of EMR R&D Agency in Semarang, Monday (30/12).

Coordinator of Application Implementation Groups of PPPTMGB "LEMIGAS" Maymuhar explains that PPPTMGB "LEMIGAS" mixed B0 fuel supplied by PT Pertamina from its Plumpang depot in North Jakarta with B100 biodiesel provided by Indonesian Biofuel Producers Association. The mixing was carried out at "LEMIGAS" blending plant.

Maymuchar explains that based on the results of the initial performance test at test bench, there is no significant difference in power, torque, and Emission Colour (BSU) between B20-fueled diesel engine and B30-fueled diesel engine. Both results meet SNI 0119-2012-1 standards.

Performance tests conducted by the Office of Agricultural Mechanization Development of Ministry of Agriculture also show that there is no significant variance in terms of fuel consumption and field efficiency between B20-fueled tractor engine and B30-fueled tractor engine. The results still meet the specifications of SNI 0738:2014. Until 30 December 2019, the endurance tests have been run for 679 hours, filters condition is still good so that there is no need for filter replacement.

In addition to PT Kubota Indonesia, two companies are also participating in the test, namely Diamond (PT. Tri Ratna Diesel) and PT Yanmar Indonesia. Just like the road test at automotive vehicles, every tractor type is also application-tested by comparing the performance of the engine when it uses B20 and when it uses B30.

The B30 application test at agriculture machines is supported by Indonesian Oil Palm Funds Management Agency (BPDPKS), PT Pertamina, Indonesian Biofuel Producers Association, Office of Agricultural Mechanization Development of Ministry of Agriculture, and Indonesian Association of Agriculture Tools and Machines Companies (Alsintani).

Other than the B30 application test at agriculture diesel, Ministry of EMR is finishing the B30 application test at train genset, passenger vessels, and heavy machines. The application test at train genset is conducted on the genset of Bandung local trains for 1,000 hours and expected to finish by the end of January 2020. The road test at passenger vessels and heavy machines started in December 2019. (IY)

Head of Bureau of Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation

Agung Pribadi (08112213555)

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