1. Jatropha Biomass: Energy for the Future
Deven Leigh
6/2/2007

2. Jatropha History1
“Jatropha originated in South America, where from ancient times extracts from its leaves and seeds were used as medicines. Jatropha’s medical qualities derive from curcin, a chemical present in the plant's shoots and leaves, which is effective as an antiseptic but can be poisonous if ingested in large quantities.”
“Learning of its medicinal qualities when they came to South America in the 16th century, Portuguese sailors took jatropha to Africa and India. It now grows from the forests of Brazil to the tropical islands of Fiji. In Africa it is widely used as a hedge to protect crops from foraging livestock, who avoid the leaves. Jatropha is still used as a traditional medicine in India, Africa, and the Philippines.”

3. Jatropha Benefits2
Oil provides energy for light, transportation, and cooking.
Jatropha is a natural fence (leaves are poisonous to animals).
The Jatropha plant improves the soil and prevents erosion.
Jatropha biomass starts a year after first planting, and is at a maximum after 5 years.
Glycerin, a by product of Jatropha oil, can be used to produce soap.

4. Jatropha Benefits1
Under optimum conditions jatropha seeds can yield up to 40% oil content.
Trees have a lifespan of up to 30 years.
Jatropha does not need irrigation and can grow in sand.
After Crushing the seeds for oil, the leftover seed mass is used as excellent fertilizer.

5. Jatropha Benefits3
Small farms can easily introduce the oil into their local communities.
Creation of a sustainable biofuel economy that would relieve poverty.
The biomass market will provide job opportunities for the local community.

6. Jatropha Benefits5
The carbon dioxide absorption is 8 Kg. per tree per Year and can be converted into Carbon Credit Certificates.
Side note: The New York Mercantile Exchange plans to offer contracts for trading carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas blamed for global warming, and other heat-trapping emissions. ( May 10, 2007)

7. Jatropha Disadvantages
The Jatropha Curcas nut and oil are inedible, but its price is not distorted by competing food uses.
Potential gender conflicts.
Second income to make soap.
If there is too little water, the plant will not produce the nut.

8. Jatropha Curcas to Oil
Kick Start Oil Press

9. Jatropha Curcas to Biodiesel1
“D1 20” Modular Biodiesel Refinery.
The D1 20 can produce 8,000 tons of biodiesel per year from rapeseed, soy, palm or jatropha biomass.

10. Jatropha Curcas Specs
Jatropha Biodiesel properties compared with petro-diesel and EU standards
Property
Units
Jatropha
biodiesel
Petroleum
diesel
E.U. standards
for biodiesel
30C
g/ml
0.88
0.85
> 0.8
Combustion point C
192 55
> 55
Kinetic viscosity
cSt
4.84
08-Feb 5
Calorific potential
MJ/kg 41 45
Undefined
Cetane number - 52
47.5
> 48
Ester content %
> 99
Sulfur content
< 0.5
< 0.55
Carbon residue
0.024
< 0.35
< 0.1
Source: The Biomass Project, Curcas Oil Methyl Ester. Nicaragua.

11. Plantation of 2,500 trees per hectare.
Jatropha Curcas Specs
Cultivation and Yield
Plantation of 2,500 trees per hectare.
Yield after Year
Kg seed
equal to
per hectare
Kg. Oil 1
    250
  115 2
  1000
  460 4
  5000
2300 6
12000
5520

12. Biodiesel Advantages6
Higher cetane numbers of biodiesel compared to the petroleum diesel indicates potential for higher engine performance.
Superior lubricating properties of biodiesel increases functional engine efficiency.
Higher flash point makes them safer to store.
Biodiesel is oxygenated so its use dramatically reduces toxic air emissions compared to petroleum diesel.

13. Biodiesel Disadvantages
Modifications are required for the vehicles.
High CFPP (cold filter plugging point) values
Solidification and clogging of the fuel system at low temperatures (around 0°C).
Can introduce additives to curb CFPP.
Rubber seals, gaskets, and hoses made before 1994 should be replaced when using B100.

14. Jatropha Biodiesel Economics4
375 kilograms per hectare for soybeans in the United States (280 gallons per acre).
1,000 kilograms per hectare of rapeseed in Europe (740 gallons per acre).
3,000 kilograms per hectare of Jatropha (2,226 gallons per acre) in India.

15. Jatropha Biodiesel Economics4

16. Biodiesel and the Environment
Biodiesel is considered "climate neutral" because all of the carbon dioxide released during consumption had been sequestered out of the atmosphere during crop growth.
Combustion of one liter of diesel fuel results in the emission of about 2.6 kilograms of CO2.

17. Jatropha in Haiti2
70% of Haiti’s population still lives in the rural areas of the country.
78% of the Haitian population live on less than $2 a day.
Insecurity in Haiti is primarily due to the lack of job opportunities.
President Rene Preval and his government are working to ensure Haiti’s economic sustainability (Jatropha pilot programs).
Jatropha is indigenous to Haiti.

18. Jatropha Energy Policy for Haiti
Government to create energy market for Jatropha.
Local communities unite to grow small farms of Jatropha to produce biodiesel (most of the poor are farmers).
Build peace with the Dominican Republic through biofuel market.
Pilot Program: Government gives 5 to 10 Ha of land to farmers to grow Jatropha.

19. Jatropha in India9
Most comprehensive National Program on promoting Jatropha.
Jatropha projects started in 1991.
The rail line between Mumbai and Delhi is planted with Jatropha and the train itself runs on 15-20% biodiesel.
India is experimenting with more than 20 different types of trees to produce biodiesel.

20. Jatropha Over Other Biomass in India7
low cost of seeds
high oil content
small gestation period
growth on good and degraded lands
growth in low and high rainfall areas
seeds can be harvested in non-rainy season
plant size is making collection of seeds more convenient.

21. Biodiesel in the USA8
Half of U.S. biodiesel production capacity is designed for soybean oil.
The other half is from recycled restaurant cooking oil, earning biodiesel a reputation for having a french-fry smell.

22. Make Your Own Jatropha Oil
Procedure:
Obtain the jatropha seeds.
Sun dry the seeds or roast them for 10 minutes.
Press the seeds to get the oil.
Purify the oil by using filters – very slow.
The purification process can be accelerated tremendously by boiling the oil with 20% water.
Use the oil in a diesel generator.

23. Resources www.d1plc.com/agronomy.php www.haitiinnovation.org/node/1386
DOE/GO September 2001

24. Resource Papers
Case Study “Jatropha Curcas” Hartlieb Euler & David Gorriz, Frankfurt, Germany, April 04, Page 24 to 32
Reducing Rural Poverty through Increased Access to Energy Service, United Nations Development Programme, UNDP Mali office, BP 120, Bamako, Mali, 2004