Valorization of Jatropha seed to fuel and chemical feedstock using a thermochemical conversion process

ABSTRACT

This paper reports on the production and characterization of bio-oil obtained from a commonly used non-edible seed biomass Jatropha (Jatropha curcas Linnaeus). Jatropha seeds were subjected to pyrolysis in a semi batch reactor at a temperature of 350–550°C with an objective to produce bio-oil. The effect of temperature on pyrolysis of the seed was studied to know the optimum temperature for maximum bio-oil yield. It was observed that Jatropha seed yielded a maximum of 67 wt% bio-oil fraction at 500°C. The chemical composition of the bio-oil obtained at optimum temperature was analyzed using a CHNS analyzer, FTIR and GC-MS. Composition analysis illustrated that Jatropha seed pyrolysis oil is a low sulfur fuel and can be a source of various valuable bio-chemicals such as Oleic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid, Oleanitrile, and Octadecanoic acid. The high calorific value of the pyrolysis oil makes it suitable as an alternate renewable fuel for diesel engines.

KEYWORDS:

• Jatropha seed
• transesterification
• pyrolysis
• bio-oil
• GC-MS
• renewable fuel

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.