20-03-2012, 04:00 PM
Biodiesel production from crude Jatropha curcas L. seed oil with a
high content of free fatty acids
BerchmansHirata_Biodiesel_production_Jatropha_High_content_free_fatty_acids.pdf (Size: 213.95 KB / Downloads: 122)
Abstract
A technique to produce biodiesel from crude Jatropha curcas seed oil (CJCO) having high free fatty acids (15%FFA) has been developed.
The high FFA level of JCJO was reduced to less than 1% by a two-step pretreatment process. The first step was carried out with
0.60 w/w methanol-to-oil ratio in the presence of 1% w/w H2SO4 as an acid catalyst in 1-h reaction at 50 C. After the reaction, the mixture
was allowed to settle for 2 h and the methanol–water mixture separated at the top layer was removed. The second step was transesterified
using 0.24 w/w methanol to oil and 1.4% w/w NaOH to oil as alkaline catalyst to produce biodiesel at 65 C. The final yield for
methyl esters of fatty acids was achieved ca. 90% in 2 h.
1. Introduction
Biodiesel as an alternative fuel for diesel engines is
becoming increasingly important due to diminishing petroleum
reserves and the environmental consequences of
exhaust gases from petroleum-fuelled engines. Biodiesel,
which is made from renewable sources, consists of the simple
alkyl esters of fatty acids. As a future prospective fuel,
biodiesel has to compete economically with petroleum diesel
fuels. One way of reducing the biodiesel production
costs is to use the less expensive feedstock containing fatty
acids such as inedible oils, animal fats, waste food oil and
byproducts of the refining vegetables oils (Veljkovic´ et al.,
2006). The availability and sustainability of sufficient
supplies of less expensive feedstock will be a crucial determinant
delivering a competitive biodiesel to the commercials
filling stations. Fortunately, inedible vegetable oils,
mostly produced by seed-bearing trees and shrubs can provide
an alternative.