Production and analysis of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas seed

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