Background:
Jatropha curcas is one of the most suitable plants which seeds are nonedible
in nature but rich in oil. Around 350 oil bearing crops are found suitable as potential alternative
fuels for diesel engine. Non-edible crop Jatropha curcas has been identified by many experts for
biodiesel production in many countries like India.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to find out the composition of Jatropha curcas oil and its relation
with engine parameters. This research covers selected aspects of physical and chemical relation
of fatty acid composition of Jatropha curcas oil and its fuel properties.
Methods:
A gas-chromatograph with high resolution mass spectrometer was used to determine the
free fatty acid composition of the Jatropha curcas oil sample. The column length, diameter and
thickness were 30m, 0.25mm and 0.25μm respectively. Helium gas was used as carrier gas, column
flow of 1.80 mL/min for the GC.
Results:
The major fatty acids found in Jatropha curcas crude oil were the oleic (3.81%), linoleic
(50%), palmitic fatty (35.66%) acid. Some physical and chemical characteristics have been evaluated
and found suitable for the application in engine. Oxidation stability oxidizability and cetane number
has been calculated as 4.949, 1.076 and found 55.856.
Conclusion:
The physical and chemical properties of Jatropha crude oil are similar to the biodiesel
except the viscosity; therefore, further processing is required. The fuel properties of Jatropha Curcas
oil based biodiesel were found to be within the limits of American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM) specifications for biodiesel and diesel fuel.
Improvement of Fuel properties and Fatty Acid Composition of Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil after Refining Processes
