Jatropha Program > J8. Cold oil extraction for utilization in modified diesel engines
Last Update: 04. December 2007
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Objectives:
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| A. |
Explore and develop how Jatropha seeds produced under village conditions can be processed into acceptable fuel that can be used in the villages, and which does not cost more than diesel that must be imported and transported to the villages.
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| B. |
Keep as much of the value-adding operations as possible in the villages and rural towns.
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| C. |
Reduce the need for transportation to a minimum and yet be economically viable. |
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Expected Outcomes:
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| a. |
At least one viable suite of technology and procedures for pressing and filtering locally produced and prepared Jatropha seeds to acceptable fuel by a mobile unit that can reach villages (i.e. a pickup option).
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| b. |
At least one similar suite for a stationary operation in a rural town.
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| c. |
An operating laboratory which can do the first testing of oils.
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| d. |
Economic data that will allow the building of draft business plans for mobile units and stationary units, including the scales of operation required for achieving economic viability of fuel in the villages (same price or cheaper than price of diesel in the village).
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| e. |
A written and illustrated report with the findings, plus presentations at scientific/economic venues and workshops.
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| f. |
Photographic and film documentation that can be used to illustrate how decentralized fuel production can be economically viable and of acceptable quality. |
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| Oil press operation in Laos |
Filter tests in Germany |
Cold Press Method
The cold press method is a smooth press variant where the produced oil has the best quality in context of engine friendly integrands. The temperature of the recovered oil should be lower than approximately 50 Celsius. The cold press method is usually utilized in small decentralized oil mills with a low mass flow.
The oil recovery is not optimal, due to a lower press pressure. The resulting press cake has an oil content of approximately 7 – 16 %. Therefore a lot of oil still remains unused in the press cake.
Cold pressed oil can be used for modified diesel engines, in the case that the used seed material is of good quality and the storage conditions are good. Moreover, clearing the seed from alien material is necessary. For an application of this oil a quality assurance is necessary for reaching the DIN standard for vegetable oil. A closer look at the phosphorus content and the acid value is especially important for avoiding problems with the diesel engine.
Finished projects:
J8.1 Cold press operation
- Press trials with different Jatropha seeds on a low temperature level
- Observe the press efficiency
- Analyse the resulting oil quality and compare it to other vegetable oil e.g. rape oil
Projects under formulation and looking for funding:
J8.2 Filtering and testing the fuel
- Explore several filter systems to ensure a clean Jatropha oil fuel.
- Analyze the various oil samples from the press and filter trials in a specialized chemical laboratory. The lab will make a comparison with rape oil (until now, the common vegetable oil used as fuel in Germany). In case the oil doesn’t pass the quality check, repeat the press/filter trials.
J8.3 Decentralized storage
Explore the best storage system for Jatropha fuel under village conditions and at central stations. Compare various storage methods and chemical analysis for assessing the deterioration rates.
J8.4 Explore quality control mechanisms
- Establish parameters and procedures for setting up a quality assurance program for decentralized fuel production under rural conditions e.g how to ensure correct pressing, filtering and storage.
- Install a laboratory in a suitable institution in Laos, which will be able to test Jatropha oil being produced in Laos. Train staff to operate it.
J8.5 Establish economic parameters for business plans
Explore and estimate - based on the trial results of J8.4 - the commercial parameters of pressing, filtering, storage: Capital investments, operational costs, lifetimes of components, costs of servicing, etc.
J8.6 Test suitable presses
- Explore existing information about cold pressing of Jatropha seeds and contact press dealers.
- Several trials with various Jatropha seeds from Laos in several diverse presses.
- Establish the most suitable mobile press, which can be transported with a pickup. Furthermore, establish the most suitable bigger press for continuous stationary operation at one place (12-24h/day).
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