Process Optimization for Biodiesel Synthesis From Jatropha Curcas Oil

Abstract

Crude Jatropha Curcas Oil (CJCO) obtained from the seeds grownin the Western Ghat section of South India was investigated for biodie-sel production using one step alkali catalyzed transesterification. Thereactions were conducted at 400 rpm agitation rate for 1 hour. Differentmethanol to oil molar ratios (5.5:1, 6:1, 6.75:1, 7.5:1 and 8:1), catalyst tooil ratios (1.43, 1.68, 1.85, 2.1, 2.35 and 2.52 %w/w of oil) and reactiontemperatures (50°C to 70°C) were employed to investigate their effecton biodiesel yield. The maximum yield of 80.5% was obtained at theoptimum methanol to oil molar ratio of 7.5:1, catalyst to oil ratio of2.09%w/w of oil and reaction temperature 60°C. The physiochemicalproperties of the biodiesel produced meet the ASTM standards. Thereason for the low yield was observed as the high free fatty acid content(13.7 mg KOH/g of oil) in the Crude Jatropha Curcas oil. A biodieselfueled four-stroke diesel engine-generator set yielded an overall fuel-to-electricity efficiency of 24.38% at maximum load condition, thusshowing the possibility of utilization of CJCO derived fuel in dieselengines.