Extraction, transesterification and process control in biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas

Abstract

Biodiesel has gained worldwide popularity as an alternative energy source due to its renewable, non-toxic, biodegradable and non-flammable properties. It also has low emission profiles and is environmentally beneficial. Biodiesel can be used either in pure form or blended with conventional petrodiesel in automobiles without any major engine modifications. Various non-edible and edible oils can be used for the preparation of biodiesel. With no competition with food uses, the use of non-edible oils as alternative source for engine fuel will be important. Among the non-edible oils, such as Pongamia, Argemone and Castor, Jatropha curcas has tremendous potential for biodiesel production. J. curcas, growing mainly in tropical and sub-tropical climates across the developing world, is a multipurpose species with many attributes and considerable potentials. In this article, we review the oil extraction and characterization, the role of different catalysts on transesterification, the current state-of-the-art in biodiesel production, the process control and future potential improvement of biodiesel production from J. curcas.

Kinetic model of biodiesel production using immobilized lipase Candida antarctica lipase B

“…Biodiesel (B) is a fuel produced from plant oils in the reaction of (trans)esterification, where glycerides and free fatty acids (F) interact with an alcohol (typically methanol, MeOH) [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Use of alkaline catalysts (KOH, NaOH, methoxide, etc.)…”

Effect of ultrasonic treatment on extraction and fatty acid profile of flaxseed oil

“…Another mechanical effect caused by ultrasound may also be the agitation of the solvent used for extraction, thus increasing the contact surface area between the solvent and targeted compounds by permitting greater penetration of solvent into the sample matrix. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) also required shorter extraction times and reduced solvent consumption (Li et al, 2004;Mason et al, 2011;Nazir et al, 2009;Zhang et al, 2008). Whereas Hromadkova et al (1999) reported that, ultrasound-assisted extraction can be carried out at a lower temperature which can avoid thermal damage to the extracts and minimize the loss of bioactive compounds.…”

Response Surface Optimization of Biodiesel Production via Catalytic Transesterification of Fatty Acids

“…Consequently, methods have to be applied to reduce the oil viscosity and modify the properties of vegetable oils, e.g., blending, microemulsification, pyrolysis, and transesterification [14]. Among these procedures, transesterification is preferentially used for acceptable efficiency and lower production cost of catalyst [15]. Transesterification is a chemical three-step reaction between triglyceride and alcohol in the presence of an alkali, acidic, or enzymatic catalyst to produce fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs; biodiesel) [12].…”