Yield Evaluation and Primary Energy Assessment of the Jatropha curcas Oil Extraction Process for Use as a Biofuel in Engines

Abstract

The aim of this work is to evaluate the performance of the extraction and mechanical filtering of Jatropha curcas oil and to evaluate the primary energy of the raw material resulting from the process, this is a qualitative-quantitative study of transversal order based on measurements and analysis of the process in situ: The following factors were evaluated as factors: weight of oil per seed processed, weight of pressed cake, and measurements in the filtering process, from which a balance of matter of the process used was constructed, and the energy valuation of the oil and pressed cake, energy was used as the response variable, measured in Tons of Oil Equivalent (TEP), Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BEP), and tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (Ton CO2eq). The seed used is Creole, the one existing in the area, the extraction was carried out in a KEK-P0101 press, and a KEK-F0090 filter. The collected seeds were dried and then discarded, the average shell weight is 40% of the total weight of the dry seed, from the oil extraction process a yield of 18.6% was obtained using seed with 5.8% humidity, and from the oil filtering process, when it passed through the filter, no weight loss in kg was obtained; finally, the equivalent primary energy valuation of one ton of oil is 39076. 39 MJTon-1, which is equivalent to 0.94 TEP, 2.90 Ton CO2 eq, and 20.87 BEP; in the same way one ton of Jatropha cake represents 15969.30 MJ, equivalent to 0.38 TEP, 1.18 Ton CO2 eq, and 8. 53 BEP, and the total primary energy between one ton of oil and one ton of Jatropha cake after oil extraction together contain 55045.61 MJTon-1, equivalent to 1.32 TEP, 4.08 Ton CO2 eq, and 29.41 BEP.