Research Plan on Jatropha curcas as a Biodiesel Plant for Engines

This research report details a plan to investigate Jatropha curcas as a viable biodiesel source for diesel engines. The plan encompasses problem identification, data collection using secondary sources, experimental research techniques to analyze chemical and physical properties (density, viscosity, flash point, calorific value), concept development for alternative solutions, final solution selection favoring Jatropha curcas due to its suitability for developing countries, and testing/implementation strategies including oil extraction and transesterification. A detailed timeline spanning 43 weeks is provided, along with methodologies including experimental setup and analysis of existing literature. The research aims to validate the use of Jatropha curcas as a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuels, addressing the increasing energy demand and environmental concerns associated with conventional resources. The document is contributed by a student and available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools and resources.

Biodiesel Plant 1
RESEARCH PLANT ON Jatropha curcas AS A BIODIESEL PLANT IN DIESEL ENGINES
By Name
Course
Instructor
Institution
Location
Date

Biodiesel Plant 2
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................3
RESEARCH PLAN..........................................................................................................................................3
Jatropha curcas.......................................................................................................................................3
Problem Identification.............................................................................................................................4
Data Collection........................................................................................................................................5
Research Techniques...............................................................................................................................5
Developing Concepts and Alternative Solutions......................................................................................5
Final Solution Selection...........................................................................................................................6
Testing and Implementation....................................................................................................................6
TIMEFRAME.................................................................................................................................................7
METHODOLOGY...........................................................................................................................................8
Experimental Setup.................................................................................................................................8
Secondary Sources.................................................................................................................................10
SOLUTIONS AND ANALYSIS........................................................................................................................11
METHODS..............................................................................................................................................11
ANALYSIS...............................................................................................................................................12
Viscosity.............................................................................................................................................12
Density...............................................................................................................................................13
Fire Point and Flash Point..................................................................................................................13
Calorific Value....................................................................................................................................13
Carbon emissions...............................................................................................................................13
VALIDATION...........................................................................................................................................13
RESOURCES................................................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................................14
BIBLIOGRAPHY...........................................................................................................................................16

Biodiesel Plant 3
INTRODUCTION
This research paper is about a research plan on Jatropha curcas as a biodiesel plant used in
diesel engines with the major focus being taken on the basic tasks that will be taken such as
analysis of the biodiesel plant, identification of appropriate research techniques, problem
identification, and data collection, concept development, final solution selection and detailed
design, testing an implementation. Fuels derived from animal fats or vegetable oils are
presenting promising substitutes to the traditional resources of petroleum out of the numerous
possible available options. It is becoming important to establish an alternative fuel with
characteristics similar to petroleum resources so as to protect the environment (Kadry, 2015).
Biofuels possess 90% of diesel heat energy which makes them a suitable alternative.
Jatropha curcas is a flowering plant species in the family of spurge, Euphorbiaceae that is native
in Central America and Mexico. The oil found in the seeds of Jatropha curcas can be converted
into a diesel fuel of high quality. The biofuels from this plant possess low emission profiles, non-
toxic, and biodegradable (Tiwari, et al., n.d.). Jatropha curcas as a biodiesel plant can be used in
diesel engines to enable a equilibrium between environment, economic development, and
agricultural sector.
RESEARCH PLAN
Jatropha curcas
Jatropha curcas, generally known to as physic nut is biodiesel plant that is non-edible and
presently considered as an alternative substitute to the fossil fuels. Despite the most of the
vegetable oils have a high energy content, the majority of them need some processing before
they are used in diesel engines (Cambuy, et al., 2013). Jatropha curcas produces a vegetable oil
known as Jatropha oil and is recommended for biodiesel since it blends with diesel in engines.
Initially, this plant was a native tree in South America and was introduced to Thailand by

Biodiesel Plant 4
Portuguese around 200 years ago who generated soap from the plant. The tree of Jatropha
curcas is had heart green and latex leaf, smooth grey bark, and 3 to 6 meters in length (Abobatta,
2019).
Figure 1: Ripen fruits of Jatropha curcas (Zaidman, et al., 2010)
This plant is also known to be drought resistant plant that produces inedible seeds containing oil.
When the seeds of this plant are crushed, the resultant oil can be processed to generate biodiesel
or biofuel of high quality which can be applied in an ordinary diesel vehicle or processed further
into fuel for jets, while the residues may also be applied as feedstock for biomass to power
electrical energy plants or used as fertilizers (Gudeta, 2016).
Problem Identification
In the recent past, the demand for energy is increasing steadily because of industrial development
and growth of the population. The traditional energy sources are considered a threat to the
environment and are also on the verge of extinction. Due to the impact of environmental
pollution and the gradual depletion of the fossil fuel reserves, there is a serious need for
appropriate alternative biodiesel to be utilized in diesel engines and replace the current petroleum
resources (Mahapatra & Nanda, 2011). Consequently, vegetable oil is a favorable alternative
since it has numerous benefits, such as easy to produce, environmentally friendly, and it is a

Biodiesel Plant 5
renewable resource. The application of vegetable oil to generate diesel fuel in developing
countries is expected to reduce the large gap between supply and demand for renewable energy.
Data Collection
This section of the research outlines the applicable data collection method that will be used to
collect information related to the application of Jatropha curcas oil in diesel engines. The data
collection method adopted for this research is the use of secondary sources of data. The
secondary data collection method involves the use of information and data that have already been
published in online portals, journals, and case studies. The research is expected to gather relevant
information related to the use of Jatropha curcas oil in diesel engines which have been
previously published by other authors.
Research Techniques
The research technique that will be used for this research on the application of Jatropha curcas
oil in diesel engines is experimental tests. The experimental test will basically be done in a
laboratory to determine the chemical and physical properties of Jatropha curcas oil through
standard procedures and then comparing the results with the diesel (Endalew, et al., 2011). The
physical and chemical properties that will be considered during the experimental setup include
density, fire point, flash point, viscosity, calorific value, carbon residues, cetane number, and
Sulphur content. The results from these properties will determine if the Jatropha curcas can
actually be used as a biodiesel.
Developing Concepts and Alternative Solutions
There is a serious need for appropriate alternative fuel in diesel engines and replace the current
petroleum resources due to the impact of environmental pollution and the steady depletion of the
fossil fuel reserves. Therefore, the use of vegetable oil is an encouraging alternative since it has
numerous benefits, such as easy to produce, environmentally friendly, and it is a renewable

Biodiesel Plant 6
resource. The alternative biofuels that can be used instead of Jatropha curcas include any methyl
of fatty acids or ethyl ester derived from biological renewable resources like recycled vegetable
oil, animal fats, and vegetable oils from both nonedible and edible seeds (Chen & Tsung-Han,
2012). Some other alternative biodiesel solutions that can be used instead of Jatropha curcas
include excess edible oils like, sunflower, soybean, and rapeseed oils which are currently being
used in USA and Europe to reduce the dependency on the already depleted fossil fuels and
minimize the air pollution (Gonzáles, 2016).
Final Solution Selection
The use of edible oil from other alternatives such as rapeseed, sunflower, and soybean oils are
not possible in terms of the large gap between supply and demand of such oil in the countries
developing. Therefore, there is need of exploring other non-edible oil for application in biodiesel
generation (Dixit, et al., 2012). Nevertheless, in Africa and Asia which are known to be the
major importers of vegetable oils, Jatropha curcas plant has been selected as a new energy crop
for countries that cultivate their own source of renewable energy. Jatropha curcas can be
directly used as a biodiesel fuel with no or little alterations. The Jatropha curcas seeds are first
crushed and then the oil resulting can be processed to generate biodiesel or biofuel of high
quality which can be used in ordinary diesel vehicles or processed further into jet fuel (Nainwal,
et al., 2015).
Testing and Implementation
After harvesting the Jatropha curcas fruits and removing its seeds, it is significant to extract the
oil for use in biodiesel feedstock production. The average Jatropha curcas seed is between 40
and 30% weight of oil. The seed is then dried in under the sun for three weeks or in an oven at
105oC. The extraction of oil can be attained chemically or mechanically (Kumar, et al., 2013).

Biodiesel Plant 7
After the extraction of oil, it is then transformed into biodiesel through a transesterification
reaction.
Figure 2: Jatropha curcas seeds (Abobatta, 2019)
The testing of the Jatropha curcas can be done through assessment of parameters such as air-fuel
ratio, thermal efficiency, volumetric efficiency, exhaust gas temperature, engine torque, engine
brake power, and specific consumption of fuel on the IC diesel engines and then comparing the
results with the diesel fuel. Raw oil can be used as a substitute for conventional diesel fuel for
both unmodified and modified engines (Srinivasnaik & Sudhakar, 2015). The use of raw
Jatropha curcas oil as a biodiesel does not show satisfactory outcome due to its high viscosity.
The high viscosity of raw Jatropha curcas oil results in problems in its application in diesel
engine. These include increasing fuel atomization and fuel spray, which would have the
responsibility for piston ring sticking, thickening of lubricating oil, injector coking, and engine
deposits.
TIMEFRAME
The timeline estimated for this research is 43 weeks and the timeframe for each task is shown in
the table 1 below:

Biodiesel Plant 8
Milestone Expected Deliverables Timeframe
Research preparation Analysis of current Jatropha curcas
Identification of research techniques
Problem Identification
Concept Development
1-3 Weeks
4-6 Weeks
7-8 Weeks
9-11 Weeks
Research execution Data Collection
Alternative solution
Final solution selection
Testing and Implementation
Validation
Methodology
12-14 Weeks
15-16 Weeks
17-18 Weeks
19-20 Weeks
21-23 Weeks
24-29 Weeks
Research Evaluation Solutions and Analysis
Methods
Analysis
Validation
30-31 Weeks
32-35 Weeks
36-38 Weeks
39-41 Weeks
Research Delivery Resources required 42-43 Weeks
METHODOLOGY
This section elaborates how the aim of this research can be achieved by describing the methods
or techniques that will be used to resolve the problem. The major aim of this research is to assess
if Jatropha curcas as a biodiesel plant can be used to replace fossil fuel in diesel engines. There
are two methodologies that can be used to achieve this objective, these methods or techniques are
described below:
Experimental Setup
The experimentation technique will involve a procedure carried out to validate, refute, or
validate a hypothesis. The hypothesis in this research is that Jatropha curcas as a biodiesel plant
can be used to replace fossil fuels in diesel engines. The experimental test will basically be done
in a laboratory to determine the chemical and physical properties of Jatropha curcas oil through
standard procedures and then comparing the results with the diesel (Kartika, et al., 2012). The
seeds of Jatropha curcas plants for this experiment can be purchased from local dealers or
planted by the researcher since this plant has currently spread in most regions of the subtropical

Biodiesel Plant 9
and tropical belts and can survive in subprime soil, drought conditions, and repel pests. After
collecting or harvesting the seeds, the next process will be drying them under the sun for three
weeks or in an oven at 105oC (Gonzáles, 2016).
Figure 3: Extraction and processing of Jatropha curcas (Nasir & Elhameed, 2014)
The extraction of oil can be attained through the conventional mechanical method which entails
pressing the oil out of the seeds in a screw press. The seeds are channelled into the hopper and
exposed to extreme shear and frictional forces by a rotating screw. After the extraction of oil, it
is then transformed into biodiesel through transesterification reaction which involves reducing
the viscosity of the oil while increasing molecular weight, vaporization rate, calorific value,
viscosity, and density (Soumanou, et al., 2012). The resultant oil can then be experimented on.
The physical and chemical properties that will be considered during the experimental setup
include density, fire point, flash point, viscosity, calorific value, carbon residues, cetane number,
and Sulphur content. The chemical and physical properties of both Jatropha curcas oil and diesel
fuel will then be compared to determine their similarities and differences as shown in the table
below:

Biodiesel Plant 10
Table 2: Comparison between physical and chemical properties of diesel fuel and Jatropha
curcas oil (Abdulla & Ravindra, 2013)
The results from these properties will determine if the Jatropha curcas can actually be used in
diesel engines.
Secondary Sources
The secondary data collection method involves the use of information and data that have already
been published in online portals, journals, magazines, case studies, and newspapers. The
application of a suitable set of criteria is the selection of secondary data to be used in this
research plays a significant role in terms of increasing research reliability and validity. The
research is expected to gather relevant information related to the physical and chemical
properties, history, factors affecting its growth, extraction, and processing of Jatropha curcas
and finally its comparison with traditional diesel oil which have been previously published by
other authors (Uthman & Saka, 2013). The use of journals as a secondary source of data focuses
heavily on the description of the concept on a certain level and then generalizing the outcome to
the wider application of Jatropha curcas as a biodiesel plant.

Biodiesel Plant 11
SOLUTIONS AND ANALYSIS
METHODS
This section describes the methods and activities that will be done to determine if Jatropha
curcas as a biodiesel plant can be used in diesel engine to replace fossil fuels. The steps below
shows the logical sequence that can be followed to attain the solution:
(i) Gathering required Materials and Equipment: Jatropha curcas plant, fossil fuel,
chemical reagents, screw press, and RD200 small engine test (TecQuipment). These
components will be used for the purposes of analyzing the performance of Jatropha
curcas oil.
(ii) Collecting or harvesting of seeds: The seeds of Jatropha curcas plants for this
experiment can be purchased from local dealers or planted by the researcher. The seeds
can be bought from local agricultural stores.
(iii) Preparation of seeds: After collecting or harvesting the seeds, the next process will be
drying them under the sun for three weeks or in an oven at 105oC and then crushing into
smaller pieces.
(iv) Processing: The extraction of oil is attained through the conventional mechanical method
which entails pressing the oil out of the seeds in a screw press. After the extraction of oil,
it is then transformed into biodiesel through transesterification reaction which involves
reducing the viscosity of the oil while increasing molecular weight, vaporization rate,
viscosity, and density (Kumar, 2017).
(v) Experimentation of Jatropha curcas: The chemical and physical properties of Jatropha
curcas oil are then experimentally determined through standard methods by the use of
chemical reagents and equipment.

Biodiesel Plant 12
(vi) Literature on fossil fuel: The chemical and physical properties of the fossil fuels can be
determined from the secondary sources of data which entail journal articles that were
published by authors previously.
(vii) Filling fuel tank with Fossil and Jatropha curcas fuels: The test engine is filled with both
fuels and then allowed to attain normal operating temperature. The speed is also adjusted
through dynamometer control (Nahar & Sunny, 2016).
(viii) Comparison between Fossil and Jatropha curcas fuels: The chemical and physical
properties, advantages and disadvantages of both Jatropha curcas oil and diesel fuel such
as density, fire point, flash point, viscosity, calorific value, carbon residues, cetane
number, and Sulphur content will then be compared to determine their similarities and
differences.
(ix) Conclusion: From the similarities in the physical and chemical properties of Jatropha
curcas oil and diesel fuel, a decision can be made if it is possible for Jatropha curcas as a
biodiesel plant be used to replace diesel fuel in diesel engines (Greg, 2016).
ANALYSIS
This section explains the criteria that can be used to analyze different aspects and performance of
the Jatropha curcas fuels as an alternative fuel in a diesel engine to replace the conventional
fossil fuel.
Viscosity
The level of viscosity of the biodiesel is expected to influence the pressure of the fuel injection
system which may result in increased maintenance and unwanted wear of the pump. The
viscosity of Jatropha curcas will determine if there will be a need for dilution of the fuel or
heating of the oil. The level of viscosity of Jatropha curcas will influence exhaust emissions,
thermal efficiency, and level of combustion.