BIODIESEL FROM

JATROPHA
 Biofuels: How they stand in
different countries -

• USA: To Reduce dependence on foreign

oil
• Europe: To control greenhouse gas
emissions and reduce oil import
• India: Biodiesel becoming popular- assists
in employment creation and in gaining
energy independence.
 What is Jatropha?

• Shrub: 2 meters in height

• Draught resistant, perennial

• Starts producing after 2-3 years of plantation (produces for 30-35 years)
• Seeds contain 50% oil (approx. 30% is extractable)
• Oil: non-edible
• Seed production: 0.8 to 5.2 tons per acre per annum (depending on soil
and irrigation)
 Oil producing crops
700

600

500

400

300
Gallons per acre

200

100

0
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alm nut ha eed nu wer wer ard ean orn
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O C Ja Ra Su Sa M S
Processing of Biodiesel using
Jatropha seeds
Possible utilization of Jatropha
Plant
 How Jatropha-biodiesel and
Petro-diesel compare:

• Low emissions: Reduction in unburned hydrocarbons, CO, SO2 and

particulate matter. Slight increase in NOX
• Energy content: 94% (~70% for ethanol)
• Energy Balance: >3.2 (US DOE estimate with soy-biodiesel)
Source: Biomass and Bioenergy 31 (2007) 569–575
 Economics

1. Farming
2. Oil extraction
3. Transesterification to Biodiesel
 Farming Economics

Source: www.jatrophaworld.org
Extraction Economics
• Extraction Units close
to cultivation.
• Extration capacity:
3000 tons/year
• Oil extracted: ~30%
Biodiesel conversion economics
• Costs incurred: Personnel,
Methanol/Ethanol, Potassium Hydroxide,
Utilities, Equipments.
• Revenue: Biodiesel and Glycerol sales.
• ROI: 1.5 to 3 years
 Breaking the Poverty Cycle
• Providing Employment: Harvesting is labor
intensive.
• Not eating into the food crop land
• Extracted oil used directly: electricity
generators, farm machines, indoor lighting,
etc.
 Outlook
• Indian Railways: all trains run on B5 by
2010
• Daimler Chrysler: tie up with production
facility in Gujrat; completed 10,000 kms of
test runs on the CDI engines
• TATA Motors biodiesel bus-fleet.
• Immense interest shown by private
investors
• Villages developing cooperatives
 Business/Research Opportunity

• Solvent extraction of esters from seeds

• Seed variety for stabilized yield
• NEB study for Jatropha
• Electricity production using Jatropha oil
• Transportation issues
Thank You