Economical evaluation of jojoba cultivation for biodiesel production in Jordan

Abstract

In this study, the economic feasibility of jojoba cultivation for biodiesel production in Jordan is analyzed. The investigations are carried out for all activities and operations from jojoba farming, through oil extraction to biodiesel production and byproduct utilization. A thousand-hectare farm, in the eastern Badia of Jordan planted with 1666 jojoba trees per hectare, is selected as a case study area. Over the 20 years life of the project, an average annual seed production of 2.5 kg per tree, with oil content of 50%, is assumed. The amount of biodiesel produced is predicted at 1750.62 tons/year. The total fixed cost and annual operating cost are estimated at US$ thousand 12701.36 and US$ thousand 2352.38, respectively. The largest contributor to these values is the cost of the drip irrigation system, which forms about 45.83% of the total fixed capital cost and 25.79% of the total direct operating cost. The farm establishment cost contributes to 22.17% of the fixed cost, while the main biodiesel production plant represents only 6.0%. The biodiesel production cost is predicted at US$ 1.19/L when the glycerol is sold as a byproduct. However, when glycerol is converted into solketal, the credit of solketal reduces the biodiesel production cost to US$ 0.70/L.