Biodiesel production from Jatropha seeds using heterogeneous integrated extraction reaction process

Abstract

Integrated extraction and transesterification process for
biodiesel production from Jatropha Curcas (JCL) seeds using hexane and methanol via base catalyzed transesterification
is reported in this paper.
The effects of reaction time, catalyst dose, liquid to solid
ratio, type of solvent and grain size of JCL seeds on
biodiesel production were investigated. It was found that
hexane played the role of both co – solvent and co – extractant
which enhanced the efficiency of oil extraction and facilitated mass transfer. The highest biodiesel yield (90.8%) was obtained at hexane to seed ratio of 5:1 (vol /wt), methanol to seed ratio 1:1 (vol /wt), activated Ca O of 1% by wt of seeds, stirring speed 700 rpm, temperature of 70°C at reaction time 6 hours.