Main Article Content
Production and analysis of biodiesel from <i>Jatropha curcas</i> seed
Abstract
This present reported work was conducted to extract oil from Jatropha curcas seed, followed with the production of biodiesel via transesterification of resultant oil. The effects of methanol-to-oil ratio 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1 and 6:1, reaction time of 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180min, at constant operating temperature of 60oC were investigated. Also the energy input required for production of a unit biodiesel was calculated. The results of the study shows maximum biodiesel yield of 86wt% at methanol-to-oil ratio of 6:1, at reaction time of 180min. An energy input of ~1.4MJ/kg was estimated to produce a unit biodiesel from Jatropha curcas. The data reported in this study would improve fundamental knowledge in biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas seed as a renewable energy to complement fossil fuel.
Keywords: Biodiesel; Jatropha curcas seeds; Jatropha oil, Mass and Energy balance; Transesterification