A new approach in maximizing and direct utilization of whole Jatropha curcas L. kernels in biodiesel production - Technological improvement

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Alchris Woo Go, Sylviana Sutanto, Siti Zullaikah, Suryadi Ismadji, Yi-Hsu Ju

2016 Renewable Energy Vol. 85 Article Cited by 14 Quartile

Abstract

The direct (trans)esterification of whole Jatropha curcas L. (JCL) kernels in subcritical solvent mixture of water, methanol and acetic acid was explored. A high fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield of 96.56% could be achieved at a solvent (water: acetic acid: methanol=1:5:15, v/v/v) to solid ratio of 7cm3g-1. The reaction mixture was pressurize with carbon dioxide and reacted for 1h at 523K and 12.5MPa. Qualitative tests on the recovered polar fractions of the product were found to have radical scavenging activities. The characteristics of the spent kernel residues were also studied. The method employed in this study provides an alternative approach to better utilize JCL kernels and cut down the number of production steps. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

Affiliations

Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Keelung Rd., Sec. 4, Taipei, 106-07, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Kampus ITS Keputih Sukolilo, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Widya Mandala Surabaya Catholic University, Kalijudan 37, Surabaya, 60114, Indonesia; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of San Carlos - Talamban Campus, Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City, 6000, Philippines