Jatropha oil as diesel substitute

In rural areas, the dependence on engines run on diesel fuel for running water pumps, generators, grinding mills etc. is of paramount importance. Imported fuel is expensive and several alternatives have been sought. Jatropha curcas L. was brought to Africa in the 15th century from Brazil and is now widespread in the tropical areas. Research on Jatropha began in Burkina Faso in 1985 to establish the feasibility of oil production as a diesel substitute. Transesterfication using ethanol (provided by the sorghum alcohol industry) has been applied to reduce oil viscosity; also fuel properties of the raw oil and esterfied product have been compared with other seed oil and diesel fuels. The results of successful short term experiments to determine diesel engine performance showed that Jatropha oil ethyl ester produced 81% of the maximum power, 86% of the maximum torque and 115% of the specific fuel consumption rate of diesel fuel. Makido Ouedraogo Institut des Sciences de la Nature et Institut de Oeveloppment Rural Universite de Ouagadougou Ouagadougou BURKINA FASOIn rural areas, the dependence on engines run on diesel fuel for running water pumps, generators, grinding mills etc. is of paramount importance. Imported fuel is expensive and several alternatives have been sought. Jatropha curcas L. was brought..