NSU Research Contributions
Title : Jatropha curcas L: A sustainable feedstock for the production of bioenergy and by products
Authors : Kamrun Nahar, Sanwar Azam Sunny
Abstract : Pot experimental studies were carried out in Dhaka, Bangladesh from April 2011 to May 2013, to produce sustainable biomass feedstock of Jatropha curcas L. The experiment also focused to evaluate the morphological, physiological and physiochemical parameters of Jatropha including biofuel and seed cake characteristics after fuel extraction. The leaves, petioles and seeds of the plants were collected from the earthen pot to determine the nutrient contents. The current study provides a reliable account of the endogenic concentrations of nutrients present in petiole and their content in leaves and seeds. Experimental results revealed that the morphological parameters responded better in mature plant compared to young plant but the physiological parameter showed variations at 2 growth stages. The different nutrient contents, including the crude protein in the petiole, were higher than the leaves in the young plants when compared to older plant, whereas the reverse was observed at two year old mature plants. The seed kernel contained more nutrients, especially Nitrogen (6.97%) and Crude Protein (43.15%), followed by seed cake and the husk. After maturity, the plant provided about 250 to 300 ml of crude oil per plant and the characteristics of fuel responded better (Flush point-252°C, Ignition point 325.8°C, Specific gravity of 0.9222, Density 0.91992, high Cetane (Ignition Quality) number of 58.7, Sulfur % of 0.128, Iodine (103.67 mg/g) and Saponification (197.88 mg/g) value in comparison to fossil fuel, with higher nutrients content in seed cake residue as byproduct obtained after extraction of oil, which could be used as an excellent organic fertilizer, with nutrients value, N: 3.6%, P2O5: 1.9% and K2O: 1.5%. Also the oil contains high percentage of unsaturated fatty acid (78.74%) resulting in characteristically low levels of free fatty acids, which improves storability. The crude oil without any modification could easily be used in lamp for illumination. The presence of unsaturated fatty acids (high iodine value) allows it to remain fluid at lower temperatures. The low sulfur content indicates less harmful sulfur dioxide (SO2) exhaust emissions when the oil is used as a fuel. Keywords
| Journal : Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Jatropha Curcas, | Volume : 3 | Year : 2014 | Issue : 4 |
| Pages : 51-57 | City : | Edition : | Editors : |
| Publisher : | ISBN : | Book : | Chapter : |
| Proceeding Title : | Institution : | Issuer : | Number : |
