PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

1. BACKGROUND
1.1 Introduction to biodiesel

Biodiesel is the name given to renewable diesel fuel that is produced from fats or oils.
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long
chain alkyl (methyl, propyl or ethyl) esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically
reacting lipids (e.g., vegetable oil, animal fat) with an alcohol producing fatty acid esters.
Biodiesel is meant to be used in standard diesel engines and is thus distinct from the
vegetable and waste oils used to fuel converted diesel engines. Biodiesel can be used alone,
or blended with petro-diesel. Biodiesel can also be used as a low carbon alternative to heating
oil.

Biodiesel

Non food Food value

•Palm •Rapesee
•Jetropha •Sunflower
•Argimony •Soyabean

So biodiesel
 It is a clean burning renewable fuel made using natural vegetable oils and fats.
 It is made through a chemical process which converts oils and fats of natural origin
into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).
 Is not a vegetable oil.
 It is intended to be used as a replacement for petroleum diesel fuel, or can be blended
with petroleum diesel fuel in any proportion.
 It does not require modifications to a diesel engine to be used.
 It has reduced exhaust emissions compared to petroleum diesel fuel.
 It has lower toxicity compared to petroleum diesel fuel.
 It is safer to handle compared to petroleum diesel fuel.
 The quality is governed by ASTM (American society of testing material) D 6751
quality parameters.
 It is biodegradable.

What biodiesel IS NOT?

 Biodiesel is not vegetable oil
 Biodiesel is not vegetable oil diluted with solvents, i.e. diesel fuel or alcohols.
 Biodiesel is not vegetable oil with “special additives” to make it run better.
 Biodiesel is not vegetable oil refined through a conventional oil refinery process.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

 Biodiesel is not vegetable oil refined through thermal depolymerization (renewable

diesel).
 Biodiesel is not a fuel that requires costly modifications to your diesel engine (straight
vegetable oil).
 Biodiesel is not crude methyl esters which have not been refined or minimally refined.
Unlike biodiesel, none of the fluids listed above have undergone renewable fuel certification,
emissions or toxicity testing, or long-term reliability testing in engines and vehicles.

What differ the biodiesel?

 Biodiesel must be produced from naturally occurring fats and oils using
transesterification
 Biodiesel must be composed of fatty acid methyl esters.
 Biodiesel must be refined to remove all trace impurities.

Straight Vegetable Oil:

Straight vegetable oil (SVO), vegetable oil that has not been modified(transesterified) can
many times be used in more simple diesel engines.SVO is usually more viscous (thicker) then
diesel or biodiesel and its viscosity also depends on the temperature. Lower the temperature,
more viscous is the oil. If the oil is too viscous it then will not flow properly within the fuel
pipes and the pump will also have trouble working properly. Vegetable oil also has very
different chemical properties and combustion characteristics to those of conventional diesel
fuel (diesel or biodiesel).

Advantages of biodiesel over straight vegetable oil:

Biodiesel has some clear advantages over SVO. It works in any diesel, without any
conversion or modifications to the engine or the fuel system. It also has better cold-weather
properties than SVO (but not as good as petro-diesel). Unlike SVO, it's backed by many long-
term tests in many countries, including millions of miles on the road. It has as well many
advanta `ges over petro-diesel.

• Biodiesel substantially reduces unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and

particulate matter in exhaust fumes

• Sulfur dioxide emissions are eliminated (biodiesel contains no sulfur)

• Biodiesel is plant-based and adds no CO2 to the atmosphere. As a sustainable energy

source it merely recycles carbon, with the help of the sun and photosynthesis.

• The ozone-forming potential of biodiesel emissions is nearly 50% less than

conventional diesel fuel

• Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions could slightly increase but can be reduced to well
below conventional diesel fuel levels by adjusting engine timing and other means

• Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

• Fuel economy is about the same as conventional diesel fuel

• Biodiesel has a high cetane (a colorless liquid hydrocarbon of the alkene series
,present in the petroleum spirit) rating, which improves engine performance: 20%
biodiesel added to conventional diesel fuel improves the cetane rating 3 points,
making it a Premium fuel.

• Biodiesel can be mixed with ordinary petroleum diesel fuel in any proportion, with no
need for a mixing additive.

• Even a small amount of biodiesel means cleaner emissions and better engine
lubrication

• Biodiesel can be produced from any fat or vegetable oil, including waste cooking oil.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

1.2 OBJECTIVES

1.2.1 General Objective

The general objective of the study is to know about the potentiality of Jatropha as Bio-Diesel.

1.2.2 Specific Objective

The specific objectives of this study are:

 To analyze the background of Jatropha in context of Nepal.

 To find out the extraction, processing and purification of oil of Jatropha.

 To find out about the challenges during the extraction.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

ABOUT THE STUDY

2.1RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research methodology is the way to solve systematically about research problem. Research
methodology describes the method and process applied in the entire study. It sequentially
refers to the various steps to be adopted by a researcher.

2.1.1 Direct Interaction

From the direct interaction i.e. we made notes while interviewing Dr. Rabindra Dhakal
(NAST), Amita Nakarmi, Research Assisstant (NAST), Shalabh Poudel, Lecturer (Thapathali
Campus).

2.1.2 Secondary Data Collection

Secondary data are those data which are pre - collected by other researcher or which are
secondhand data. So, process of collecting these types of data is secondary data collection.
We collected different brochures, and collected different data from books, other reports and
various web sites.

2.2 LIMITATIONS

All research study is carried out to know about a particular research. It requires various kinds
of data, materials and other relevant information, which may not be sufficient for the
research. This study is not also free from limitation.

 Limited time for preparing the report.

 Load shedding affects us in searching data thought net and writing report.

 Being a new research topic there are not discrete reports and data.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

CASE STUDY ON JATROPHA

3.1 Introduction
Jatropha plant is the shrub belonging to the spurge familyEuphorbiaceous that is native to the
American tropics, most likely Mexico and Central America. It is cultivated in tropical and
subtropical regions around the world, becoming naturalized in some areas. The specific
epithet, "curcas", was first used by Portuguese doctor Garcia de Orta more than 400 years ago
and is of uncertain origin.

3.2 Types of Jatropha

There are many types and species of jatropha around the world and the main species are listed
here:

a) Jatropha curcas is used to produce the non-edible jatropha oil, for making candles
and soaps.
b) Jatropha gossypifolia, its fruit and foliage are toxic to humans and animals.
c) Jatropha cuneata whose steams are generally used for making basket.
d) Jatropha integerrima gives continuously crimson flower almost all year.
e) Jatropha podagrica was used to tan leather and produce a red dye in Mexico.
f) Jatropha multifida gives bright red flowers like red coral, characterized by strongly
incised leaves.

3.3 Jatropha species found in Nepal

Among the different species of Jatropha found in world, Jatropha curcas, Jatropha
gossypifolia are found in Nepal. Among all these species, Jatropha curcas has been decided
and recommended to be the best bio diesel from economic and business view by the scientists
of different countries.

3.4 Jatropha Curcas

J. curcas is a poisonous, semi-evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 6 m
(20 ft). It is resistant to a high degree of aridity, allowing it to be grown in deserts.
The seeds contain 27-40% oil (average: 34.4%) that can be processed to produce a high-
quality biodiesel fuel, usable in a standard diesel engine. The seeds are also a source of the
highly poisonous toxalbumin curcin.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

Botanical feature of Jatropha curcas

 Leaves: The leaves have significant variability in their morphology. In general, the leaves
are green to pale green, alternate to sub opposite, and three- to five-lobed with a spiral
phyllotaxis.

 Flowers: male and female flowers are produced on the same inflorescence, averaging 20
male flowers to each female flower, or 10 male flowers to each female flower. The
petiole length ranges from 0.24 to 0.90 inches (6.1–23.1 mm). The inflorescence can be
formed in the leaf axil. Plants are monoecious and also present hermaphroditic flowers
occasionally.

 Fruits : fruits are produced in winter, or there may be several crops during the year if soil
moisture is good and temperatures are sufficiently high. Most fruit production is
concentrated from midsummer to late fall with variations in production peaks where
some plants have two or three harvests and some produce continuously through the
season.

 Seeds: the seeds are mature when the capsule changes from green to yellow. The seeds
contain around 20% saturated fatty acids and 80% unsaturated fatty acids, and they yield
25%–40% oil by weight. In addition, the seeds contain other chemical compounds, such
as saccharose, raffinose, stachyose, glucose, fructose, galactose, and protein. The oil is
largely made up of oleic and linoleic acids. Furthermore, the plant also contains curcasin,
arachidic, linoleic, myristic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids and curcin.

 Genome: the whole genome was sequenced by Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Chiba
Japan in October 2010.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

3.5 Jatropha curcas in context of Nepal

Jatropha could be boon to our country as well. Being a landlocked country we are fully
dependent on India for fuel. Any changes in price and fuel supply policy in India can have
devastating effect in Nepal´s economy. Hence it is very important for Nepal to diversify the
fuel sources so as to reduce vulnerability to external shock. Moreover, inaccessibility of road
to the rural areas makes its almost impossible or very expensive to transport the imported fuel
to those areas. Cultivation of Jatropha has now been encouraged by both government and
non-government organization in Nepal for the production of biofuel in our country.
Government of Nepal has been implementing National biofuel program since fiscal year
2008/09 by focusing particularly on the promotion of Jatropha cultivation.

Scientific American in 2007 called Jatropha as “green gold in shrub,” a plant that “seems to
offer all the benefits of biofuel without the pit falls”. Jatropha produces seeds containing 27-
40% oil which is easily convertible into biodiesel. The use of Jatropha as a biofuel offers
additional advantage. For example, the plants can be used to increase the fertility status of
soil due to the properties of seed cake to act as organic fertilizer. The seed cake can also be
used as protein rich livestock feed. Jatropha can help in controlling the soil erosion and
furthermore claimed to improve the soil quality in degraded land. The plant in general can be
used as living fence to repel animals and insects from the field crops. The plant can also be

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

used as feed for the silkworm, for medicinal properties, dyes preparation, soap production,
etc.

FAO (Food and agriculture organization) and UNEP (United Nation environment
programme) have reported that use of Jatropha cultivation offers the opportunity for rural
development. Cultivation of Jatropha is very labour intensive which creates various
employment opportunities for the rural people. Development of processing plants and
factories creates job opportunities for unemployed people. Jatropha, being a multipurpose
tree, its cultivation helps to diversify the income sources. Various studies in Africa and India
show that economic status of women has increased by selling soaps made from jatropha. It is
said that Jatropha is a blessed plant in vary remote areas where the fuel supply is very
expensive and still people have to depend on firewood for the main source of energy.

The major question in front of us is whether the acclaimed benefits of Jatropha is really
attainable in Nepal and if the cultivation of Jatropha is really ecological, economical and
socially sustainable? The major debate of growing biofuel crops worldwide is food vs. fuel
issue which has led to decision of growing non-food source bio-energy crop in degraded land.
So the first and foremost thing required is the biofuel policy that can provide the guidelines
where the biofuel production can take place in Nepal. According to World Food Programme
3.7 million people are at risk of food insecurity in Nepal at present scenario. The major
advantage offered by Jatropha is that it can be grown in degraded land reducing the
competition in crop land. However, the Nepal government has not identified the degraded
land in Nepal. And the suitability of growing Jatropha in those degraded lands in Nepal is
still unknown. Jatropha is reported to be found in wild stage in more than 70 districts of
Nepal. Being an undomesticated plant, scientists are also unaware of the optimum growth
conditions, various management practices and the potential yield of the jatropha at local
condition. Within these uncertainties people are already encouraged for the cultivation of
jatropha in many places which can not only cause the financial loss to the investor but also
have the huge impacts on the local communities who are in hope of the improved living
conditions.

Moreover, the consequences of growing jatropha in degraded land are also unidentified.
Achievement of higher yield in degraded land also demands maximum use of chemicals
which create negative impacts in ecosystem functioning. Reports have also concluded that the
plants show invasive properties. More than that, some reports claim toxicity of seed cake
used as fertilizer might have negative impact on microbial community and various bio-geo-

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chemical cycles. Also, these toxins may cause phyto-toxicity effect reducing germination of
local species. Research also shows that jatropha cultivation has negative impacts on crops
like pigeon pea in India. Toxicity of jatropha seeds, oil and seed cake can also cause human
health problems. Many fatal cases of accidental jatropha seed feeding have been reported
from India. Another important problem is that Jatropha starts to bear fruits only after 5 years.
Thus, multiple cropping is necessary to ease farmer during the establishment period. But it
seems that there is less chance of successful multiple cropping in jatropha field because it is
releases toxin called ‘curcin’.

Due to lack of biofuel policy in Nepal, it is also difficult to restrict the growth of Jatropha
only in the degraded land risking more competition with food crops. Indian policy of massive
cultivation of Jatropha will have major influence in Nepalese agriculture. Farmers will be
interested in growing jatropha if they can get higher prices in Jatropha than food crops.
Though jatropa is well known for its production in dry and degraded land, research now
shows that jatropha can obtain better yield when grown infertile soil. This will drive investors
in jatropha slowly from marginal and degraded land to fertile agricultural land competing
with the food crops. Consequently, the acclaimed sustainability of jatropha will be a myth.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

3.6 Plantation of Jatropha Curcas

3.6.1 Soil requirement
Jatropha curcas can be grown potentially over wastelands which require re-vegetation.
Jatropha Curcas is a wild growing hardy plant well adapted to acid and moisture demand and
can come up stony, gravelly or sallo and even calcareous soils. It can be conveniently
propagated from seeds as well as branch cuttings. It is therefore, possible to plant large areas
with Jatropha curcas without requiring nursery plants raised in polythene bags, therefore,
saving foreign exchange as the row material for polythene bags has to be imported.
However,it can also be grown as a profitable non-edible oil crop on irrigated and partially
irrigated lands as a perennial crop.

3.6.2 Climates requirements

Jatropha can be grown over a wide range of arid or semi-arid climate conditions. For the
emergence of seeds, hot and humid climate is preferred. Therefore, fairly warm summers
with rains are beneficial for proper germination of seeds. The flowering is inducing in rainy
season with reduction in temperature and plants bear fruits in winter. Jatropha can be
cultivated with success in areas with scanty to heavy rainfall. Jatropha can be grown in
habitat of tropic/subtropical areas, with a suitable rainfall of 200-1500 mm/year (The
Biomass Project, 2000).

3.6.3 Spacing and seeds rate

For planting 1 hectare, around 5 to 6 kg of seeds is enough. The distance between the two
rows should be 2 metres and the distance between two plants should also be 2 metres. This
spacing will accommodate 2500 plants/ha under irrigated or partially irrigated conditions. On
rain fed wastelands, high-density plantations at 2m. X 1m. Or 1.5 x 1.5 metre accommodating
5000 or 4444 plants per hectares respectively was desirable.

3.6.4 Propagation
Jatropha can be propagated from seeds as well as from cuttings. Seeds or cutting twigs can be
directly planted in the main field. Otherwise, seedlings grown in polybasic are transplanted in
the main field.

(i) Direct Planting: The lands should be ploughed once or twice depending on the nature of
soil. In the case of heavy soils, deep ploughing is given whereas in light soils, shallow
ploughing is enough. The seed/cutting should be planted in the main field with the onset of
monsoon. Two seeds should be dibbled at each spot at a spacing indicated above. When the

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

seedlings are 4 weeks old, weaker seedlings should be removed to retain one healthy seeding
on each spot and the seedlings so removed could be used for gap filling.

(ii) Transplanting: Main field is prepared by digging small pits of 30 x 30 x 30 cm at

specified spacing indicated under Para 4.3 above. Pits are filled with soil and compost or
organic manure at the rate of 400 g per pit. Kilogram capacity filled with soil and organic
manure mixture 7:10:05 at the rate of 100 g per poly bag plus 400 g soil. Two seeds should
be sown around 6 cm deep in each poly bag and watering should be done regularly. When the
seedlings are around 4 weeks, Weaker of the two seeding should be removed and used for
gap filling.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

4. EXTRACTION PROCESSES OF BIO-DIESEL FROM JATROPHA CURCAS

4.1 Crude oil extraction

a. The first stage employs pressing the seeds for oil – this stage is also called expelling
b. The second stage uses a solvent extraction method to extract the remaining oil.

4.1.1Pressing / Expelling

New methods of oil expelling use presses to extract the oil from the seed.Small presses like
the Bielenberg ram press can be powered by hand, by one or several operators. Capacity is
then typically 1-10 kg/h of seeds.Larger capacity presses, especially the screw presses, are
powered by engines.The strainer type press has its oil output in the form of strainers. The
strainers are built up in the form of bars, and their inter-spacing (gaps) are adjustable. The
whole press tube mostly consists of the strainer. The diameter of the screw increases over the
length to get a rising compression of the seed. Sections with changing diameter can be found
several times on the screw. During the flow of the seed through the press, the oil is drained
via the strainer, which surrounds the pressing space. The choke size can be adjusted to press
the seed harder. With some types of strainer presses it is possible to change segments at the
worm screw in order to change the compression of the seed. Other manufacturers offer extra
screws. In addition the choke size and the rotation speed should be adjusted when pressing
different kinds of seed. Strainer presses exist in a wide capacity range from approximately 15
to 2000 kg/h of seed. The press cake comes out of the choke formed as flat plates.

4.1.2 Solvent Extraction

Solvent extraction is a process that is used to recover a component from either a solid or
liquid. In this process, the material in which the component of interest is present is contacted
with a solvent that will dissolve the solutes of interest. Solvent extraction is of major
commercial importance to the chemical and biochemical industries, as it is often the most
efficient method of separation of valuable products from complex feedstock or reaction
products. In the case of Jatropha oil extraction, the solvent extraction stage comes after the
expeller stage. The crushed Jatropha seeds that come from the expeller are mixed with a
solvent in a commercial extractor. Solvents used for extraction include heptanes, hexane and
petroleum ethers. The Jatropha oil dissolves in the solvent, and the pulp is filtered out from
the solution. The oil and solvent are separated by means of fractional distillation. Fractional
distillation is the separation of a mixture into its component parts by heating them to a
temperature at which several fractions of the compound will evaporate.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

4.2 PRE-TREATMENT PROCESS:

During the process of extraction of oil from Jatropha it is found that it has high amount of
free fatty acids (12-15)%.Due its high free fatty acid content, the crude Jatropha Curcas oil is
processed in two steps. During the first step the free fatty acid content is reduced to 1% in
one hour at 60°C using 3:1 methanol to oil molar ratio and 1%w/w of oil of H2SO4. After the
reaction, the mixture was allowed to settle for two hours andthe top layer of methanol-water
mixture was removed. The process is termed as pre-treatment process.

The processes carried out during the process are summarized in points below:

1. The theoretical molar ratio of methanol and oil is 3:1 but as the amount of methanol is
increased the yielding increases too. So, generally in experimental works it is taken
12:1.The acid H2SO4 (10-15) % is used as catalyst. To increase the yielding we take
10 fractions of methanol,2 fractions of acetone which acts as a co-solvent and 1
fraction of oil to produce the mixture.
2. A two neck round bottom flask [1] is heated to remove the moisture contained and the
above mixture of methanol, acetone and acid is kept of calculated concentration and
stirred gently.
3. The accurate quantity of oil is added then by. The temperature of the mixture in RBF
is maintained to 65c.
4. The RBF is placed on a steam bed whose temperature is maintained to 70-75c.
5. The steam bed along with the two neck round bottom flask is kept above the Hot Plate
Magnetic Stirrer [3] which stirres the mixture and maintains the temperature thereby.
The process is carried for 1-2 hrs.
6. After 2-3hrs the mixture sediments in two layers of free fatty acids and mixture of
methanol, acetone, acid.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

7. The mixture is transferred to separator [2], from where methanol, acid and acetone is
removed and pre-treated fatty acid is recovered for second process called as
transesterification.

4.3 TRANSESTERIFICATION

The processes to be carried out are listed below:

1. Thus obtained pre-treated fatty acid from pre-treatment is weighed and the
concentration of methanol, acetone to be added is calculated.
2. Here, the catalyst is dolomite which is around 5% to the weight of oil.
3. Same process as pre-treatment, the mixture is stirred in the Hot Plate Magnetic Stirrer
and the two layers of glycerol and bio-diesel is obtained which is separated with the
help of separator.

4. The obtained bio-diesel needs purification so it is kept on rotary evaporator [4]. It

consists of water bath where a flask is mounted. The temperature of water bath is 70-
75c. The flask is rotated with the help of electric current along with maintaining the
temperature. The boiling point of methanol and acetone is less than impure bio-diesel
so it get distills off leaving bio-diesel in the flask.

4.4 PURIFICATION

The bio-diesel in flask still contains some traces of catalyst, water emulsion, methanol and
acetone. So it is kept on a Centrifugal Concentrator [5] for further purification.The mixture
placed is rotated by centrifugal action and the less densified material like methanol; acetone
and catalyst are captured by vacuum suction.This process is followed by washing with water
and the mixture is dried using Vacuum Desiccators .It contains small granules of silica at the
base which absorbs the moisture and hence obtained output is clean and dry bio-diesel.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

Overall biodiesel production process

Above experiments is done in batches, continuous processapplicable for industrial process

has just been experimented. However, it possesses less efficiency.

Transesterification: continuous process

Continuous process [6] transesterification offers significant opportunities for efficient high
volume production of biodiesel including, eliminating the costly washing and drying phases.
A popular method uses continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) in series. The flexible
process allows CSTRs with various volumes to be arranged in succession for the optimum
production. For example, CSTR 1 a large volume tank allows a longer time residence time to
achieve the greater extent of the reaction. After the initial glycerol is decanted, a faster
reaction can take place in CSTR 2, with a 98% completion.

An essential element of the CSTR design is sufficient mixing the input to ensure that the
composition through the reactor is constant. As such, success is very dependent upon precise
consistent measures of all the process variables.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

Properties of Jatropha Oil

S. No Property Value
1 Density 0, 92 g/cm3
2 Ignition point 340 °C
3 Solidification point 5 Kin
4 Viscosity 75 to 7 10-6m2/s
5 Iodine value 13
6 Saponification value 198
7 Cetane number 23 / 51
8 Heating value 39,628 MJ/kg
9 Flash point 240/110 °C
10 Carbon residue 0.64
11 Distillation point 295 °C
12 Kinematics Viscosity 50.73 cs
13 Sulphur 0.13 %
14 Calorific value 9 470 kcal/kg
15 Pour point 8 °C
16 Color 4.0
17 Acid value 1.0 - 38.2
18 Specific gravity 0.917/ 0.923(0.881)
19 Solidifying Point 2.0
20 Refractive Index 1.47
21 Palmitic acid 4.2
22 Stearic acid 6.9
23 Oleic acid 43.1
24 Linoleic acid 34.3
25 Other acids 1.4

4.5 BLENDING

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

Blends of biodiesel and conventional hydrocarbon-based diesel are products most commonly
distributed for use in the retail diesel fuel marketplace. Much of the world uses a system
known as the "B" factor to state the amount of biodiesel in any fuel mix:

1. 100% biodiesel is referred to as B100, while

2. 20% biodiesel, 80% petro-diesel is labelled B20
3. 10% biodiesel, 90%petro-diesel is labelled B10(experimented on NAST,NEPAL)
4. 5% biodiesel, 95% petro-diesel is labelled B5
5. 2% biodiesel, 98% petro-diesel is labelled B2.

Blends of 20% biodiesel and lower can be used in diesel equipment with no, or only
minor modifications, although certain manufacturers do not extend warranty coverage if
equipment is damaged by these blends. The B6 to B20 blends are covered by
the ASTM D7467 specification. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form (B100), but
may require certain engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance
problems. Blending B100 with petroleum diesel may be accomplished by:

 Mixing in tanks at manufacturing point prior to delivery to tanker truck

 Splash mixing in the tanker truck (adding specific percentages of biodiesel and
petroleum diesel)
 In-line mixing, two components arrive at tanker truck simultaneously.
 Metered pump mixing, petroleum diesel and biodiesel meters are set to X total
volume, transfer pump pulls from two points and mix is complete on leaving pump.

5. FINDINGS

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

The research came up with following findings:

1. As an alternative to Bio-diesel, oil of Jatropha, straight vegetable oil and waste

cooking oil was found in practise.
2. Jatropha curcas, Jatropha gossypifolia are species found in Nepal among which
Jatropha curcas is recommended for bio-diesel production.
3. Panchathar, Okhaldhunga, Dolakha, Sindhuli,Makwanpur,Dhading, Gorkha, Pyuthan,
Tansen, Salyan,Dhading,Tanahu, Dadeldhura,Siraha,Dangadi,Palpa,Rupandehi are
the districts with availability.
4. Jatropha curcas up to the altitude of 2000metres.
5. It produces seeds containing 27-40% oil which is easily convertible into biodiesel.
6. The initial viscosity of bio-diesel was found 50 strokes which need to be reduced to
5strokes.
7. It consists of (10-12) % of free fatty acid which results in saponification.
8. Transesterification is only possible below 1% of free fatty acids so pre-treatment is
done to reduce the amount of free fatty acid.
9. During transesterification process in Nepal dolomite is used as catalyst but KOH can
also be an alternative.
10. Dolomite possess more advantages compared to KOH:
 Dolomite is 5000 billion ton presence in Nepal.
 KOH being highly reactive saponification occurs.
 Further washing is needed to remove remaining traces of KOH and the waste is
not environment friendly.
 KOH cannot be removed cent percent so, some part of KOH in biodiesel may
cliff the biodiesel.
11. Jatropha, non-edible oil, contains toxic compounds including lectin, saponin,
carcinogenic pharbol, trypsin inhibitor.
12. There are four business lines of jatropha:
 Plantation of Jatropha Curcas
 Collection of Oil bearing seeds
 Processing of seeds to produce oil and seed cake
 Manufacturing of bio diesel

6. RECOMMENDATIONS

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

This report has unearthed many advantages of bio-diesel and its very practical and feasible
source jatropha. Considering the present scenario of scarcity of fuel, bio-diesel can provide a
safe remedy to these problems, if root causes are addressed and appropriate measures are
taken.

1. Due to the business line of cultivation of jatropha, people are using the cultivable land
so government should impose heavy tax on the cultivation of Jatropha on cultivable
land.
2. Jatropha, which is a tough plant, can grow in the most unfavourable conditions.
Hence, the cultivation of Jatropha should be encouraged by providing proper training
and subsidy to farmers.
3. The practises of making soap without removal of carcinogen should be discouraged.
4. Wasteland and deserted lands should be identified and Jatropha plantation must be
done in these places.
5. Educational programmes should be conducted to raise public awareness about bio-
diesel and its positive impacts.

7. CONCLUSION:

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

The importance of biofuel in Nepal cannot be neglected where jatropha appears as a

promising biofuel plant. Though, jatropha can be proved as an innovative developmental tool
to eliminate poverty in the rural areas it may not necessarily address present issues of food
crisis and environmental problems. With the present knowledge about jatropha it is very
difficult to say whether cultivation of jatropha is sustainable in the long-run. The
uncertainties of the yield potential, optimum growing conditions and its possible impacts on
bio diversity, soil and water quality, it is not wise enough to invest a huge amount in jatropha
cultivation. Lots of experiment and research are needed to be carried to explore the potential
of jatropha plant before any negative impacts outweigh the benefit of jatropha.

Processing to the Jatropha biodiesel can help to mitigate the existing fuel crisis in the
country. The biodiesel can be used as renewable energy source for rural use and
development. Further blending of biodiesel provides the money saving opportunity.

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

Appendix

1.Two necked round bottom flask 2.Separatory funnel

3. Hot plate magnetic stirrer 4. Rotatory evaporator

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

5.Centrifugal concentrator 6.Continuous process

dolomite stone powdered dolomite

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 PROJECT REPORT ON: Potential bio-diesel: Jatropha

Biodiesel bio diesel blending (B10, B20, B30)

Bibliography

file:///F:/i-n-global-scenario-where-world-is.html

Journal of Sustainable Energy & Environment 3 (2012) 63-66

www.sciencedirect.com

www.mdpi.org/energies

www.uri.edu

www.aepc.com

www.westfalia-separatator.com

References:

Dr. Rabindra Dhakal - Senior scientist, NAST

Amita Nakarmi - Research assistant, NAST

Salabh Poudel - Lecturer,Thapathali campus

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