Comprehensive study of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) Biodiesel production and its prospectus in Pakistan

Abstract

This research work describes the characteristic of Jatropha biodiesel. The attempt was made to discover the Jatropha existence and cultivation in Pakistan. The characteristic of Jatropha oil and Jatropha biodiesel was determined and compared to petroleum diesel. The Jatropha oil yield was found 36.17% with free fatty acid concentration 12.2 weight(wt) %, saponification value was 195.5. The free fatty acid percentage was reduced by two step estrification reaction resulting the acid value was stood 0.774 mg KOH / gm. The Kinematic viscosity at 400 C of Jatropha biodiesel were 4.54 mm2 /sec, flash point 1700 C, pour point - 30 C and, sulfur 0.0092 wt%.. The distillation recovery of Jatropha biodiesel was 96%, cetane number 480 C and water content 0.05 %. It was concluded that due to small sulfur content, low kinematic viscosity and high cetane number the Jatropha biodiesel was best substitute of petroleum diesel can be used as individual or in blended form. Also Jatropha plant can easily administrated specially in sindh, Pakistan.