Jatropha Curcas Oil: A Sustainable Source for Production of Biobiesel

1. Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research
Vol. 64, November 2005, pp. 883-889
Jatropha curcus A sustainable source for production of biodiesel
Naveen Kumar* and P B Sharma
Delhi College of Engineering, Bawana Road, Delhi 110 042
Non-edible oils like Jatropha, Pongamia, Argemone, Mahua, Castor, Sal etc., can be used for the production of bio-
diesel. Jatropha curcus has enormous potential for biodiesel production in India. J. curcus is a multipurpose plant with
many attributes and considerable potential. It is a tropical plant that can be grown in low to high rainfall areas and can be
used to reclaim land, as a hedge and/or as a commercial crop. Thus, growing it could provide employment, improve the
environment and enhance the quality of rural life.
Keywords: Biodiesel, Jatropha curcus, Diesel engine, Diesel fuel, Transesterification
IPCCode: F02B13/10
Introduction aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene), PAHs and nitro-
For more than two centuries, the world’s energy PAHs. Although diesel engine produces lesser amount
supply has relied heavily on non-renewable crude oil of CO and total hydrocarbon compounds (THC) than
derived liquid fuels, out of which 90 percent is spark ignition (SI) engine, it forms large quantities of
estimated to be consumed for energy generation and fine particulate matter (PM). Diesel particles mainly
transportation. Known crude oil reserves are consist of carbonaceous material, soluble organic
estimated to be depleted in less than 50 years at the fraction (SOF), sulfates and traces of metals. Some
present rate of consumption1. India, like most of the constituents of SOF (PAHs and nitro-PAHs) are
developing countries, is highly dependent on imported mutagenic and/or carcinogenic6. Since diesel engines
crude oil. India has imported about 82 million tons of of buses and trucks exhaust a huge amount of NOx
crude oil (70% of its requirement) and petroleum and particulates, a clean alternative fuel is highly
products during 2003–2004 causing a heavy burden demanded. Biodiesel derived from vegetable oil
on foreign exchange. The demand of crude oil has (VOs) attracts attention as a promising one to be
increased dramatically and country’s cost for import2 substituted for conventional diesel fuels7.
of crude oil has increased substantially (Table 1).
The heating value of VOs is similar to that of diesel
However, since India’s economy depends mainly
fuel. However, their use in direct injection diesel engines
on agricultural activities, the utilization of national
is restricted by some unfavorable physical properties,
resources for energy production is an extremely
particularly viscosity, which is approx ten times higher
important issue. Diesel engines have been widely
than the diesel fuel. Therefore, use of vegetable oil in
used as power of engineering machinery, automobile,
direct injection diesel engines creates poor fuel
and shipping equipment for its excellent drivability
atomization, incomplete combustion, carbon deposition
and thermal efficiency3. Diesel fuels, in India are used
on the injector, and fuel build up in the lubricant oils
in heavy trucks, city transport buses, locomotives,
resulting in serious engine fouling. VOs viscosity can be
electric generators, farm equipment, underground
lowered by dilution of oil with a suitable solvent,
mine equipment, etc4. The consumption of diesel fuels
emulsification, pyrolysis, and transesterification8.
in India in 2003-04 was 36.625 million tons, which is
roughly five times that of gasoline5. Biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters), which is
Diesel emission contains carcinogenic components, produced by transesterification of triglycerides with
such as carbonyl compounds (formaldehyde); light methanol, has become increasingly important due to
diminishing petroleum reserves and the environmental
_______________
*Author for correspondence consequences of exhaust gases from petroleum-fueled
E-mail: naveenkumardce@rediffmail.com engines.

2. 884 J SCI IND RES VOL 64 NOVEMBER 2005
Table 1 Production and import of crude oil in India2
Year Production Import Total Import Import value
Million tons Million tons Million tons as % of total Rs crore US $ billion
1971 6.8 11.7 18.5 63 107 0.024
1981 10.5 16.2 26.7 61 3349 0.744
1991 33 20.7 53.7 39 6118 1.360
2000 32 57.9 89.9 64 30,695 6.821
2003–04 33.4 90.4 123.8 73 81,000 18
2004–05 33.4 100 133.4 75 121,500 27
Table 2—Cultivated area of oilseed plants11 accounts for 8.5 percent of world oilseed production.
Country Oilseed area % of world Yield It is the world's leading importer of edible oil (15 %
Million ha oilseed area Tons/ha of global vegetable oil imports in 2002-2003) ahead
USA 35.98 18.94 2.10 of the European Union and China, and is likely to
India 32.00 16.84 0.89 remain an important demand for foreseeable future.
China 28.01 14.74 1.84 Import represents around 55 percent of India’s edible
Brazil 22.51 11.85 2.45
Argentina 16.24 8.55 2.32
oil consumption and about half the value of its total
Canada 5.86 3.09 1.55 agriculture imports12.
Russia 5.45 2.86 1.00 Basically VOs are either edible or non-edible and
Pakistan 3.59 1.89 1.05 the plants are annual or perennial. Apart from
France 1.85 0.97 2.69 cooking, both these categories also have applications;
Germany 1.31 0.69 2.83
UK 0.54 0.28 3.33 like in medicine, food preservation, soap making,
Italy 0.31 0.16 2.23 illuminants, lubricants, paints, drying, etc. Edible oils
like, coconut, sesame, rape-mustard, safflower, niger,
Its combustion does not increase current net linseed has the pride place in history way back to Rig
atmospheric levels of CO2, a greenhouse gas. It can be Vedic era. Other edible oil plants introduced later on
domestically produced, offering the possibility of includes groundnut (1800 AD), soybean (1910),
reducing petroleum imports; it is biodegradable and sunflower (1940) and oil palm (1966). In non-edible
relative to conventional diesel fuel, its combustion oil category, there are at least 150 species mainly
products have reduced levels of particulates, CO2, trees or shrubs yielding oils that are not consumed
SO2, HCs, soot and, under some conditions, NOx9. directly by man or animal. The main outlet for these
Large harvests of traditional crops, low farm prices, oils in India is soap making and Ayurvedic medicines.
dependence of foreign energy sources and
environmental problems have increased interest in In Indian context, the important issue is to grow
energy generated from plant sources such as oilseed trees. The wastelands (70 million ha) in the
biodiesel. The major benefit of biodiesel production is country can be made to become green and yield oil
that there is no need to follow the uni-focal approach and bio-residues for various uses. Growing these oil-
of concentrating and utilizing the same VO in each bearing plants on wastelands, as avenue trees and in
and every corner of the globe. Each country can the back yards all over the nation will improve the
proceed in the generation of particular oil, depending availability of these oil seeds. Further local growth
upon the climate and economy. associated in crushing, and marketing may encourage
the entrepreneurs to start small industries to produce
Indian Oilseed Sector: An Overview raw or finished goods. This is one of the best ways of
Under "technology mission on oilseeds" in 1986, controlling urbanization by providing opportunities
from a mere 11 million tons during 1986-87, India locally. This is one of the factors that may contribute
attained an all-time record oilseed production of 25 to the concept of ‘Sustainable Rural Areas’ where
million ton in 1996-9710. On the oilseed map of the environment and people are inter-dependent.
world, India occupies a prominent position with In the developed countries, such as the US,
regard to area under cultivation; however, the yield is Australia, Germany and France, biodiesel is being
lowest among all other countries (Table 2). India extracted from plants like saffola, sunflower, soybean,

3. KUMAR & SHARMA: JATROPHA CURCAS-A SUSTAINABLE SOURCE FOR PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL 885
Jatropha curcus as a Feedstock for Biodiesel
J. curcus can thrive on any type of soil and in
problematical soils. Jatropha lends itself to plantation
with advantage on lands developed on watershed
basis and on low fertility marginal, degraded, fallow,
waste and other lands such as along the canals, roads,
railway tracks, on borders of farmers’ fields as a
boundary fence or live hedge in the arid/semi-arid
areas and even on alkaline soils. As such it can be
used to reclaim wastelands in the forests and outside.
It can be grown in areas of low rainfall (200 mm/y).
In high rainfall and irrigated areas too it can be grown
with higher yields. It occurs mainly at lower altitudes
(0-500 m) in areas with average annual temperature
well above 20°C but can grow at higher altitudes and
tolerates slight frost. The introduction has been most
successful in the drier regions of the tropics with
annual rainfall of 300-1000 mm. It grows on well-
drained soils with good aeration and is well adapted to
marginal soils with low nutrient content. It attracts no
insects and is not browsed by cattle or sheep.
Propagation by seed/cutting is easy. Jatropha is easy
to establish, grows relatively quickly and is hardy.
Therefore, it can be grown in most parts of the
country.
Jatropha seeds17 (0.4-12 tons/ha/y) are easy to
Fig. 1 Jatropha plant15 collect as they are ready to be plucked before the
etc, which are essentially edible in India. In India, rainy season and as the plants are not very tall. Seeds
non-edible seed crops like Jatropha curcus (ratanjot, contain non-edible oil (35%); oil yield per hectare is
jatropha), Pongamia pinnata (karanj) and Madhuca among the highest of tree borne oil seeds. Being rich
indica (mahua) can provide oil, which can be in nitrogen, the seed cake is an excellent source of
developed as biodiesel depending on site-specific plant nutrients. Jatropha is a close relative to the
requirements13. Among non-edible species, J. curcus castor plant; its oil has similar medical properties.
is considered to be most suitable for making biodiesel. Jatropha cultivation in the villages has the potential to
promote following developments18: i) Erosion control
Jatropha (Jatropha curcus L.; Family, Euphor- and soil improvement; ii) Promotion of women; iii)
biaceae) Poverty reduction; and iv) Renewable energy.
J. curcus is a drought resistant species which is
widely cultivated in the tropics as a living fence14. It Establishment
is a small tree or large shrub up to 5 m high (Fig. 1) Freshly harvested seeds show dormancy and after-
living more than 50 years. Branches contain latex. ripening is necessary before the seeds can germinate.
Normally, five roots are formed from seeds, one Dry seed will normally germinate readily without
central (taproot) and four peripheral. Cuttings, when pretreatment. If this is the case, it is not recommended
planted, do not form a taproot. Plant is monoecious to remove the seed coat before sowing. Although it
and flowers are unisexual. Pollination is by insects. speeds up germination, there is a risk of getting
Seeds are toxic to humans and many animals. Every abnormal seedlings. Germination is fast (10 days)
part of the plant15 can be used for one application or under good conditions. Germination is epigean
other (Fig. 2). Jatropha grows over a wide range of (cotyledons emerge above ground). Soon after the
arid and semi-arid climatic conditions. It grows well first leaves have formed, the cotyledons wither and
in shallow soils and is commonly found growing in fall off. In the nursery, seeds can be sown in
gravel, sandy and clayey soils16. germination beds or in containers. Although the

4. 886 J SCI IND RES VOL 64 NOVEMBER 2005
Fig. 2—Uses of Jatropha plant
seedlings grow very fast, they should stay in the or hitting and shaking the branches till the fruits break
nursery for 3 months until they are 30-40 cm tall. By off. Seeds collected from live fences can normally be
then, the plants have developed their repellant smell reached by hand. For taller trees, it is possible to
and will not be browsed by animals19. The trees are collect the fruits in a small bag that is attached to a
deciduous, occur during the wet season and two stick. In Costa Rica, a tree produces about 30 kg fruits
flowering peaks are often seen. In permanently humid per year or about 12 kg seed (yield, 4800 kg seed/ha).
regions, flowering occurs throughout the year. The After collection, the fruits are transported in open
seeds mature about three months after flowering. bags to the processing site and dried until all the fruits
Early growth is fast and with good rainfall conditions have opened. Sun drying has a negative effect on seed
nursery plants may bear fruits after the first rainy viability and that seeds should be dried in the shade.
season, direct sown plants after the second rainy When the seeds are dry they are separated from the
season. The flowers are pollinated by insects fruits and cleaned. The seeds are orthodox and should
especially honey bees. be dried to low moisture content (5-7%) and stored in
airtight containers. At room temperature, seeds can
Harvest retain high viability for at least one year. However,
When fruits begin to open, seeds inside are mature. because of high oil content, seeds cannot be expected
Collection is best done by picking fruits from the tree to store for as long as most orthodox species.

5. KUMAR & SHARMA: JATROPHA CURCAS-A SUSTAINABLE SOURCE FOR PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL 887
Fig. 3—Conversion of Jatropha seeds into biodiesel
Table 3 Physico-chemical characteristics of J curcas oil and Properties of J. curcus Oil and its Biodiesel
its metyl/ethyl esters Oil contains following fatty acids15: Myristic
Parameter Oil Methyl Ethyl (14:0), 0.1; Palmitic (16:0), 14.1-15.3; Stearic (18:0),
ester ester 3.7-9.8; Arachidic (20:0), 0.3; Behenic (22:0), 0.2;
Density at 15ºC, g/cm3 0.920 0.879 0.886
Viscosity at 30ºC, cSt 52 4.84 5.54 Palmitoleic (16:1), 1.3; Oleic (18:1), 34.3-45.8;
Flash Point, ºC 240 191 190 Linoleic (18:2), 29.0-44.2; and Linoleic (18:3), 0-0.3
Acid No., mg KOH/gm 0.92 0.24 0.08 %. Viscosity, diglycerides and phophorus decrease
Sulfated ash, %m/m 0.014 0.010 drastically15 when oil is converted to methyl/ethyl
Cetane No. 51 59
Conardson carbon residue, 0.025 0.018
esters (Table 3).
%m/m
Methyl/ethyl ester, %m/m 99.6 99.3 Economics of Biodiesel from Jatropha curcus
Monoglycerides, %m/m 0.24 0.55 Biodiesel is produced by transesterification of oil
Diglycerides, %m/m 2.7 0.07 0.19 extracted from seeds (Fig.3). The by products of oil
Triglycerides, %m/m 97.3 NA NA extraction and transesterification processes are oilcake
Methanol, %m/m 0.06 0.05
and glycerol which have a good commercial value.
Water, %m/m 0.07 0.16 0.16
Free glycerol, %m/m 0.015 NA The cost components of biodiesel are the price of
Total glycerol, %m/m 0.088 0.17 seed, seed collection, transport of seed, oil extraction
Phosphorus, ppm 290 17.5 17.5 and oil transesterification. The cost of oil extraction
Table 4 Breakup of biodiesel cost and its processing into biodiesel is recoverable to a
great extent from the income of oilcake and glycerol,
S No Item/Expenditure Amount Rs
which are valuable by products. Assuming cost of
1 100 kg seeds @ Rs 5/kg 500/- seed at Rs 5/kg and 100 kg seed giving 30 kg of oil,
2 Oil extraction and other 150/- cost of biodiesel is approx Rs 20.90/l, if glycerol
charges @ Rs 1.50/kg
3 Transesterification cost @ 240/- could be sold at Rs 20/kg (Table 4).
Rs 8/kg oil
Total 890/- India’s Target of Biodiesel Production
India has nearly 63 million ha of wasteland, of
Sale which 33 million ha have been allotted for tree
1 70 kg oilcake @ Rs 2/kg 140/- plantation. Jatropha can grow well in wasteland with
2 Glycerol 3 kg @ Rs 20/kg 60/-
3 Total 200/-
very little input. The target for biodiesel production is
Net expenditure incurred 690/- to be set up to meet the projected demand for
to get 30 kg/33 l oil biodiesel on the basis of 20:80 blend (biodiesel :
Cost of biodiesel/l 20.90/- HSD). However, in the beginning 5% blend could be

6. 888 J SCI IND RES VOL 64 NOVEMBER 2005
Table 5 Petrodiesel and biodiesel demand and area required under Jatropha17
Year Petrodiesel Biodiesel 5% Area for 5% Biodiesel 10% Area for 10% Biodiesel 20% Area for 20%
demand blend blend blend blend blend blend
Million tons Million tons Million ha Million tons Million ha Million tons Million ha
2006-07 52.33 2.62 2.19 5.23 4.38 10.47 8.76
2011-12 66.90 3.35 2.79 6.69 5.58 13.38 11.19
Table 6 Worldwide21 biodiesel production capacity (million 20 percent petrodiesel consumption by biodiesel.
gallons/y) Jatropha oil will not only reduce the burden on
Country 1997 2000 2003 exchequer by reducing the import of crude petroleum,
but would also bring a new dawn of cleaner
France 21.0 76.4 98.3 environment. Hence efforts should be made on large-
Germany 21.6 61.4 73.7
scale cultivation of J. curcus on wastelands and other
USA 1.0 7.0 25.0
unused land. There is urgent need to carry out
Italy 0.4 10.5 23.4
Austria 5.1 6.0 8.3
research studies which could address the
Belgium 4.5 5.1 6.0 biotechnological issues related with J. curcus and the
Total 53.6 166.4 234.7 effective production of biodiesel from J. curcus. The
extensive training should be provided to the farmers
utilized in the transportation and oil based captive and rural entrepreneurs so that they could learn the
power production. India’s target is to achieve latest technology and agro-practice related to Jatropha
20 percent substitution of HSD by biodiesel by 2012 cultivation and biodiesel production.
beginning with 5 percent in 2006-07. HSD demand by
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