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Everything you want to know about Jatropha
Jatropha is a scrub plant widely spread in South-America,
Asia and Africa, which grows under comparatively dry
conditions (250-1200 mm precipitation p.a.) and on poor
soil. Jatropha nuts are toxic, which makes it known
in rural areas as a hedge-plant that protects fields
against animal predators.
For the same reason Jatropha is not cultivated as a
food crop. Jatropha actually qualifies as an energy
source in developing countries, because there is no
competition with local food markets.
The Jatropha curcas L. variety has been tested as an
energy source in a number of development projects and
research programs since the early nineties, and it has
shown very positive results.
Jatropha curcas L. produces seeds with an oil content
of 30-50%. The Jatropha oil can be combusted as fuel
without being refined. Jatropha oil burns with a clear,
smoke-free flame. Within a development project conducted
by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ)
in Mali Jatropha oil has been successfully tested as
fuel for simple Diesel-engines with precombustion-chamber
used in agricultural production for mills and water
pumps. The esterification with methanol or ethanol then
produces biodiesel (methyl- or ethyl-ester) which can
be used for Diesel-engines in ordinary vehicles.
For the past two years Bioenergy Plantations (BEP)
has done extensive research in studying the growth of
the Jatropha plant in tropical areas of India without
irrigation. Bioenergy Plantations research and development
center has been testing different lines and varieties
of Jatropha plants. Bioenergy Plantations has also been
measuring germination percentages and Jatropha oil content
from several different varieties of Jatropha seeds.
The Jatropha tree uses are many and range from non-edible
Jatropha oil production to soap production to pharmaceutical
production.
COMMON USES OF THE JATROPHA PLANT ARE:
- The Jatropha seeds yield up to 35-45% oil which
is non-edible.
- The Jatropha oil is a commercially viable alternative
to diesel oil because it burns without emitting any
smoke and has a very good burning quality.
- Engines do not need any modification for using
Jatropha oil.
- Jatropha Oil cake is a good biofertilizer.
- Jatropha glycerin obtained during the refining
of oil can be used in pharmaceuticals and for various
other purposes
- Oil is also used in soap industry
Latex, oil cake, leaves, and oil are known to possess
antimicrobial properties and are used as pest protectants
The life span of Jatropha curcas L. is about 40 years.
For this reason Bioenergy Plantations (BEP) is very
positive in promoting Jatropha oil as an alternative
to soy bean oil, palm oil or any edible vegetable oil
being used as a feedstock to produce biodiesel. Last
but not least, Jatropha can grow on wastelands, in rural
areas without any irrigation and management.
It is without question the green fuel of the future.
Author: Naren Raju
Naren Raju is CEO of Bioenergy Plantations (BEP), Singapore's
first Jatropha plantation company. BEP offers a full
range of consulting services & turnkey solutions
for biodiesel industry clients that see the future in
Jatropha. For more information visit http://www.bioenergyplantations.com.
Keywords : Jatropha, Jatropha plant, Jatropha oil,
Jatropha seeds, biodiesel, Jatropha Plantation
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