WHAT IS BIODIESEL.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel similar to conventional or "fossil" diesel. Biodiesel

meets most of chemical /physical standard of petrodiesel & being plant based, it does
not emit sulphur/CO on burnllig & are non-toxic, non-polluting, bio-degradable &
environment friendly. With no sulphurdioxide emission & unbumt hydro-carbons,
biodiesel is an ideal fuel for heavily polluted cities. Biodiesel derived from the tree
bourne oil & fats of plants like Jatropha curcas, Sunflower, Rapeseeds, Palm, Karanj
ect. Can be used as a substitute or an additive to petrodiesel. Biodiesel can also be
processed from animal fats & used vegetable oils. As an alternative fuel, biodiesel can
provide power similar to conventional petrodiesel & this can be used safely in diesel
engines without any modification of the currently used diesel engines. Like Mercedez,
Daimler Chrysler & other renowned Automobile manufacturers like Mahindra &
Mahindra, Tata Motors in India have by now extended the engine warranty on use of
biodiesel in their vehicle.

THE STORY BEHIND

With the shortage of Petrodiesel and soaring prices, the world is going the BIODIESEL way and INDIA is no exception. Biodiesel is basically a TBO ( Tree borne
Oil) and the best source of producing biodiesel is JATROPHA curcas, a plant that
grows well mainly in tropical climate.
EUROPE and other non tropical countries, therefore , are a buyer for Jatropha seeds,
and seedling of Jatropha from our internal market as well from European countries
and other parts of the world but none can supply any Jatropha seeds for the
commercial production of Biodiesel, only seeds for cultivation purpose are available
and mass scale cultivation is going on in the Indian sub continent. Since wild variety
of Jatropha seeds are available from different sources, one should be very careful in
ordering seeds. Nursery propagation of Jatropha needs specialized agrotechniques to
get plants to yield requisite oil yields and the plant needs specialized training
(Prunning) to make it adequately seed bearing just like tea plant and should be done
under professional guidance. Seed yield varies from 6MT/ha on the 3rd /4th year
depending on agrotechniques.
India produces only 22% of its diesel requirement and 78% is imported at a huge cost
in foreign currency and our expenditure and outlay for the import of Petroleum fuel is
second to our Defense budget. With the introduction of compulsory use of 10-20%
biodiesel in UK, USA, FRANCE, Germany, Japan and other countries who specifies a
40-50% mix by 2010, India has a huge requirement by 2010 to meet the world norms
and emission standards and a national policy has already been given a green signal by
the GOI in the year 2003. Indian Railways have already completed a trial run on
AMRITSAR-SHATABDI EXPRESS. The Chief Minister of CHATTISGARH runs
his official vehicle on Biodiesel, HARYANA State Transport buses have been run by
using Biodiesel. A train from KHARAGPUR to Howrah in West Bengal had been
given a trial run by using Biodiesel. All lands by the side of Railway tracks in India
will be planted with JATROPHA and INDIAN OIL and other agencies in possession
of a Biodiesel Processing units will eventually process the Jatropha oil into Biodiesel
for Indian Railways and for the national needs.

Biodiesel is a better fuel than Petrodiesel and meets most of the chemical/Physical
standards of Petrodiesel. Being plant based it does not emit sulphur/CO on burning
and is non-polluting, bio degradable and environmentally safe. Biodiesel can be used
10%,20% or in any proportion doping the Petrodiesel and it can be very safely used as
100% replacement of Petrodiesel in all kinds of DISEL ENGINES without any
modification of the currently available diesel engines. In line with Mercedez, Daimler
Chrysler and other renowned automobile manufacturers, MAHINDRA &
MAHINDRA and TATA MOTORS in India have by now extended the engine
warranty on use of Biodiesel in their vehicles.
Potential for TEA COMPANIES & Others in possession of landlord who are end
users of Diesel oil.
We, in TEA have a huge potential in JATROPHA curcas and BIODIESEL Production.
We are end users of quite a heavy quantity of DIESEL.
We have huge land at our disposal, which we should take under ALTERNATIVE
CULTIVATION.
We have readily available Labor force for the cultivation of JATROPHA curcas who
are more or less trained in raising the nursery, planting and maintenance of mass scale
trees. Jatropha is akin to tea plants and needs more or less the same cultivation
methodology inclusive of Prunning etc and once grown, stands and gives fruit & seed
crop for nearly 40-50 years. Per hectare seed yield which starts from the 0+1 yr. @
500kg/ha goes up to 6-12 MT/ha/yr in the 3rd & 4th year. One Ltr. Of Jatropha oil is
extracted from 3Kgs of seed under superior agrotechniques, drip and flume irrigation.
Left to itself Jatropha is a Drought resistant plant and improves marginal soil
immensely.
Jatropha oil cades are as good or better than neem khol etc and gardens can be
immensely benefited in BIODIESEL in a special chemical reactor as in a oil refinery
but not as complex as Petrodiesel production. A specialized process yields Potassium
Sulphate as a by-product, which can then be used as an Inorganic fertilizer to
supplement potash in tea and other crop. The standard refining process yields about
10% GLYCERINE as a by product, the market value of which at present are Rs.
40,000 - 50, 000 a MT.
Others who are interested are mostly handicapped as far as huge land availability is
concerned and buying huge lands hundreds of hectares are cost prohibitive but big
companies are going in even by buying huge lands.
Therefore, Jatropha cultivation holds very promising future for tea companies and
with the present scenario in tea, this may be the only answer and saveour for the
estates. Loans for the project are being offered by NABARD and other nationalized
bank. Govt. agricultural departments, private entrepreneurs, NGO's and other could
share our experience and expertise in the field of Jatropha cultivation and biodiesel
production.

BIODIESEL IN INDIA
There has been greater awareness on Biodiesel in india in the recent times due to
shortage of Petrodiesel and soaring prices. Significant activities have picked up for its
production especially with a view to reduce the huge cost involved in import of
Petroleum fuel and to take care of the shortage of Petrodiesel anticipated within a few
years from now. In addition, the process of production of Biodiesel from non edible
vegetable oil will boost the rural economy and providing non-polluting, bio
degradable and safe environment.
Considering all the aspects available among non-edible Tree Bearing Oil (TBO)
seeds, Jatropha curcas has been identified as the most suitable seed for extraction of
oil and subsequent processing of Biodiesel. The best source of producing Biodiesel is
Jatropha curcas, a plant that grows well mainly in tropical climate. Jatropha can be
grown in arid zones (20 cm rainfall) as well as higher rainfall zones and even on land
with thin soil cover.
In tropical countries like ours, Jatropha grows well and can bloom and produce fruit
through out the year. To withstand extreme drought conditions, Jatropha plant sheds
leaves to conserve moisture which may result in reduced growth. Although, Jatropha
is adapted to soils with low fertility and alkalinity, better yields can be obtained on
poor quality soils, if fertilizers containing small amount of nutrients are used for the
first two years.
Therefore, Europe and other non-tropical countries are a buyer of Jatropha seeds and
seedling of Jatropha from our internal market. As of now no countries can supply any
Jatropha seeds for the commercial production of Biodiesel, but seeds for cultivation
purpose are available since mass scale cultivation is going on in the Indian subcontinent. Nursery propagation of Jatropha needs specialized agro techniques to get
plants to yield requisite oil yields and the plant needs specialized attention (prunning)
to make it adequately seed bearing just like tea plant. The raising of nursery and
plantation thereafter should be done under professional guidance. Jatropha plant bears
fruits from 2nd year of its plantation & the economic yield stabilizes from 4th/5th
year onwards. The plant has an average life with effective yield up to 50 years.
Jatropha gives around 2 kg.of seeds/Plant The economic yield can be considered as
one-two kg./Plant & 4-6 MT hect/ year depending on agro-climatic zone &
agricultural practices. One hectare of plantation on average soil will give 1.6 MT of
oil.
India produces only 22% of its diesel requirement & 78% is imported at a huge cost in
foreign currency. With the introduction of compulsory use of 10-20% Biodiesel in
UK, USA, France, Germany, Japan & other countries who specifies a 40-50% mix by
2010. India has a huge requirement by 2010 to meet the world norms & emission
standard & accordingly a National policy has already been given a green signal by
Govt.of India in the year 2003. Indian Railways have already carried out a trial run on
Amritsar-Shatabdi Express with Biodiesel. Similarly, Haryana State Transport buses
have been run by using biodiesel. Indian Railways have taken a decision to plant
Jatropha trees by the side of railway tracks & Indian Oil other agencies in possession

of Biodiesel Processing Units will eventually process the Jatropha oil into biodiesel
for Indian Railways & to meet the national needs..

BENEFIT OF BIODIESEL
Biodiesel has many environmentally beneficial properties. The main features &
benefit of biodiesel is that it can be termed as "Carbon neutral". *Biodiesel reduces
serious air pollutants such as particulates & air toxicity.
Due to its less polluting combustion, biodiesel provides a 90% reduction in cancer
risks & neonatal defects.
Biodiesel is biodegradable & renewable by nature.
Biodiesel can be used alone or mixed in any ratio with conventional diesel.
The preferred ratio of mixture-ranges between 5 & 20%.
Biodiesel enhances the life of diesel engines.
Biodiesel could be cheaper than conventional petrodiesel.
Biodiesel has good potential for rural employment generation.

BIODIESEL PRODUCTION
Target of Biodiesel Production
It is estimated that Petrolium Diesel demand by the end of 10th plan (In 2006-07)
shall be in the tune of 52.33 million tons. In order to achieve 5% replacement of
petroleum diesel by biodiesel by the year 2006-07, there is a need to bring minimum
2.29 million hectares area under Jatropha Curcas plantation.
Biodiesel Production
Biodiesel can be produced from straight vegetable oil, animal fats/tallow & used
vegetable oil. There are 3 basic steps followed in biodiesel production from oils &
fats:
1. Base catalyzed transesterification of the oil.
2. Direct acid catalyzed transesterification of the oil
3. Conversion of the oil to its fatty acids & then to biodiesel.
Almost all biodiesel is produced using base catalyzed transesterification as it is the
most economical process requiring only low temperature & pressure & producing a
95-98% conversion yield. The process being the easiest process the same is dealt as
under. The transesterification process is the reaction of triglyceride (Fat/Oil) with an
alcohol to form esters & glycerol. A triglyceride as a glycerin molecule as its base
with three long chain fatty acids attached. The characteristic of fat are determined by

the nature of the fatty acid attached to the glycerin. The nature of the fatty acid can in
turn affect the characteristic of the biodiesel. During the es-terification process, the
triglyceride is reacted with alcohol in presence of a catalyzed, usually a strong
alkaline like sodiuIi1 hydroxide. The alcohol reacts with the fatty acids to form the
mono-alkyl ester or biodiesel & crude glycerol. In most production methanol or
ethanol is the alcohol used (methanol produces methyl esters. ethanol produces ethyl
esters) & is base catalyzed by either sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
Potassium hydroxide has been found to be more suitable for the ethyl ester biodiesel
production; either base can be used for methyl ester. A common product of the
transesterification process is Rape Methyl Ester (RME) produced from raw rape seed
oil reacted with methanol.
The reaction between the fat or oil and the alcohol is a reversible reaction & so the
alcohol must be . added .in excess to drive the reaction in right direction & ensure
complete conversion. The figure below shows the chemical process for methyl ester
biodiesel.

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Production Process
Preparation- Utmost care must be taken to monitor the amount of water & free fatty
acids in the biolipids (Oil or Fat) to be used in the process. If the free fatty acid level
or water level is too high it may cause problem with soap formation & the separation
of the glycerin by-product downstream.
Catalyst is dissolved in alcohol using a standard agitator. The alcohol/catalyst mix is
then charged into a closed reaction vessel & the biolipid (vegetable or animal oil or
fat) is added. The system from here on is totally closed to the atmosphere to prevent
loss of alcohol. The reaction mix is kept just about the .boiling point of alcohol
(around 70 C) to speed up the reaction though some systems recommend the reaction
take place at room temperature. Recommended reaction time varies from 1-8 hours.
Excess alcohol is normally used to ensure total conversion of the fat or oil to its
esters.
The glycerin phase is much more dense than biodiesel phase & the two can be
separated by gravity with glycerin simply taking out through the bottom of the settling
vessel. In some cases a centrifuge is used to separate the two materials faster.
Once the glycerin & biodiesel phases have been separated, the excess alcohol in each
phase is removed with a flash evaporation process or by distillation. In other systems
the alcohol is removed and the mixture nutrilized before the glycerin & esters have
been separated. In either case the alcohol is recovered using distillation equipments &
is reused. Precautions must be taken to ensure no water accumulates in the recovered
alcohol stream.
The glycerin by-product contains unused catalyst & soaps that are nutrilized with an
acid & sent to storage as crude glycerin (water & alcohol are removed later generally

by evaporation to produce a 80-88% pure glycerin).

Once separated from the glycerin the biodiesel is sometimes purified by washing
gently
with warm water to remove residual catalyst or soaps, dried, and sent to storage.

SOURCE OF BIODIESEL
AN OVERVIEW OF FEED STOCK AVAILABILITY:
While considering the proposal we must remind you that JATROPHA, NEEM,
KARANJ, MADHUCA, RICE BRAN OIL, FISH OIL etc produced in INDIA are not
available to run a 100TPD Biodiesel plant. It is mainly because of the fact that there
was no demand for such huge quantity of NON-EDIBLE oil in the Indian
Subcontinent in the past, nor was it cultivated in large tracts of land anywhere in the
world pre 2000.
With the beginning of BIODIESEL ERA, cultivation of JATROPHA and other Non
edible oils have taken the world by storm. Cultivation of JATROPHA had picked up
from the year 2004 in the Indian Sub continent and elsewhere. In our opinion Jatropha
oil should be available in plenty by the end of 2008.
Let us have a look at the BIODIESEL SCENERIO with a special reference to the
INDIAN CONTEXT as far as JATROPHA/ OTHER NON EDIBLE OILS are
concerned and then we will consider the PALM OIL & Other oils availability through
the globe as well.

Biodiesel In India :: Biodiesel Requirement( in million mt) in India ::

Bio Oil & Biodiesel :: Biodiesel Project in India
There has been greater awareness on Biodiesel in india in the recent times due to
shortage of Petrodiesel and soaring prices. Significant activities have picked up for its
production especially with a view to reduce the huge cost involved in import of
Petroleum fuel and to take care of the shortage of Petrodiesel anticipated within a few
years from now. In addition, the process of production of Biodiesel from non edible
vegetable oil will boost the rural economy and providing non-polluting, bio
degradable and safe environment.
Considering all the aspects available among non-edible Tree Bearing Oil (TBO)
seeds, Jatropha curcas has been identified as the most suitable seed for extraction of
oil and subsequent processing of Biodiesel. The best source of producing Biodiesel is
Jatropha curcas, a plant that grows well mainly in tropical climate. Jatropha can be
grown in arid zones (20 cm rainfall) as well as higher rainfall zones and even on land
with thin soil cover.
In tropical countries like ours, Jatropha grows well and can bloom and produce fruit

through out the year. To withstand extreme drought conditions, Jatropha plant sheds
leaves to conserve moisture which may result in reduced growth. Although, Jatropha
is adapted to soils with low fertility and alkalinity, better yields can be obtained on
poor quality soils, if fertilizers containing small amount of nutrients are used for the
first two years.
Therefore, Europe and other non-tropical countries are a buyer of Jatropha seeds and
seedling of Jatropha from our internal market. As of now no countries can supply any
Jatropha seeds for the commercial production of Biodiesel, but seeds for cultivation
purpose are available since mass scale cultivation is going on in the Indian subcontinent. Nursery propagation of Jatropha needs specialized agro techniques to get
plants to yield requisite oil yields and the plant needs specialized attention (prunning)
to make it adequately seed bearing just like tea plant. The raising of nursery and
plantation thereafter should be done under professional guidance. Jatropha plant bears
fruits from 2nd year of its plantation & the economic yield stabilizes from 4th/5th
year onwards. The plant has an average life with effective yield up to 50 years.
Jatropha gives around 2 kg.of seeds/Plant The economic yield can be considered as
one-two kg./Plant & 4-6 MT hect/ year depending on agro-climatic zone &
agricultural practices. One hectare of plantation on average soil will give 1.6 MT of
oil. India produces only 22% of its diesel requirement & 78% is imported at a huge
cost in foreign currency. With the introduction of compulsory use of 10-20%
Biodiesel in UK, USA, France, Germany, Japan & other countries who specifies a 4050% mix by 2010. India has a huge requirement by 2010 to meet the world norms &
emission standard & accordingly a National policy has already been given a green
signal by Govt.of India in the year 2003. Indian Railways have already carried out a
trial run on Amritsar-Shatabdi Express with Biodiesel. Similarly, Haryana State
Transport buses have been run by using biodiesel. Indian Railways have taken a
decision to plant Jatropha trees by the side of railway tracks & Indian Oil other
agencies in possession of Biodiesel Processing Units will eventually process the
Jatropha oil into biodiesel for Indian Railways & to meet the national needs..
Biodiesel requirement( in million mt) in india
Bio Oil & Biodiesel
Biodiesel Project in India

Jatropha is a genus of approximately 175

succulents, shrubs and trees (some are
deciduous, like Jatropha curcas L.), from the
family Euphorbiaceae. Plants from the genus
natively occur in Africa, North America, and
the Caribbean.
Originating in the Caribbean, the Jatropha
was spread as a valuable hedge plant to
Africa and Asia & INDIA by Portuguese
traders.
Some species of cultural and/or economic
interest include:
J. aconitifolia, leaves of this tree were boiled
and eaten by the Maya.
J. cuneata, stems are used for basket making
in Mexico.
J. curcas, also called physic nut, is used to produce the non-edible Jatropha oil, for
making candles and soap, and as an ingredient in the production of biodiesel. The
trees produce 1600 liters of oil per hectare.
The cakes remaining after the oil is pressed out can be used for cooking, for
fertilizing, and sometimes even as animal fodder, while the seed husks can be used
to fuel generators. Large plantings and nurseries of this tree have been undertaken
in India by women's Self Help Groups, using a system of microcredit to ease
poverty among the nations semi-literate population of women. Extracts from this
species have also been shown to have anti-tumor activity.
The seeds can be used as a remedy for constipation, wounds can be dressed with
the sap, and the leaves can be boiled to obtain a malaria and fever remedy.
J. gossypifolia, also called bellyache bush, its fruits and foliage are toxic to humans
and animals. It is a major weed in Australia.
J. podagrica, was used to tan leather and produce a red dye in Mexico and the
Southwestern United States. May also be used as a house plant.
Uses
According to Ochse (1980), "the young leaves may be safely eaten, steamed or
stewed." They are favored for cooking with goat meat, said to counteract the
peculiar smell. Though purgative, the nuts are sometimes roasted and dangerously
eaten. In India, pounded leaves are applied near horses' eyes to repel flies. The oil
has been used for illumination, soap, candles, adulteration of olive oil, and making
Turkey red oil. Nuts can be strung on grass and burned like candlenuts (Watt and
Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). Mexicans grow the shrub as a host for the lac insect.
Ashes of the burned root are used as a salt substitute (Morton, 1981). Agaceta et al.
(1981) conclude that it has strong molluscicidal activity. Duke and Wain (1981) list
it for homicide, piscicide, and raticide as well. The latex was strongly inhibitory to
watermelon mosaic virus (Tewari and Shukla, 1982). Bark used as a fish poison
(Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). In South Sudan, the seed as well as the fruit is
used as a contraceptive (List and Horhammer, 19691979). Sap stains linen and
can be used for marking (Mitchell and Rook, 1979). Little, Woodbury, and
Wadsworth (1974) list the species as a honey plant.
Folk Medicine

According to Hartwell, the extracts are used in folk remedies for cancer. Reported
to be abortifacient, anodyne, antiseptic, cicatrizant, depurative, diuretic, emetic,
hemostat, lactagogue, narcotic, purgative, rubefacient, styptic, vermifuge, and
vulnerary, physic nut is a folk remedy for alopecia, anasorca, ascites, burns,
carbuncles, convulsions, cough, dermatitis, diarrhea, dropsy, dysentery, dyspepsia,
eczema, erysipelas, fever, gonorrhea, hernia, incontinence, inflammation, jaundice,
neuralgia, paralysis, parturition, pleurisy, pneumonia, rash, rheumatism, scabies,
sciatica, sores, stomachache, syphilis, tetanus, thrush, tumors, ulcers, uterosis,
whitlows, yaws, and yellow fever (Duke and Wain, 1981; List and Horhammer,
19691979). Latex applied topically to bee and wasp stings (Watt and BreyerBrandwijk, 1962). Mauritians massage ascitic limbs with the oil. Cameroon natives
apply the leaf decoction in arthritis (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962).
Colombians drink the leaf decoction for venereal disease (Morton, 1981).
Bahamans drink the decoction for heartburn. Costa Ricans poultice leaves onto
erysipelas and splenosis. Guatemalans place heated leaves on the breast as a
lactagogue. Cubans apply the latex to toothache. Colombians and Costa Ricans
apply the latex to burns, hemorrhoids, ringworm, and ulcers. Barbadians use the
leaf tea for marasmus, Panamanians for jaundice. Venezuelans take the root
decoction for dysentery (Morton, 1981). Seeds are used also for dropsy, gout,
paralysis, and skin ailments (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). Leaves are
regarded as antiparasitic, applied to scabies; rubefacient for paralysis, rheumatism;
also applied to hard tumors (Hartwell, 19671971). Latex used to dress sores and
ulcers and inflamed tongues (Perry, 1980). Seed is viewed as aperient; the seed oil
emetic, laxative, purgative, for skin ailments. Root is used in decoction as a
mouthwash for bleeding gums and toothache. Otherwise used for eczema,
ringworm, and scabies (Perry, 1980; Duke and Ayensu, 1984). We received a letter
from the Medicial Research Center of the University of the West Indies shortly
after the death of Jamacian singer Robert Morley, "I just want you to know that this
is not because of Bob Morley's illness, why I am revealing this ... my dream was:
this old lady came to me in my sleep with a dish in her hands; she handed the dish
to me filled with some nuts. I said to her, "What were those?" She did not answer. I
said to her, "PHYSIC NUTS." She said to me, "This is the cure for cancer." We
found this Jamaican dream rather interesting. Four antitumor compounds, including
jatropham and jatrophone, are reported from other species of Jatropha (Duke and
Ayensu, 1984). Homeopathically used for cold sweats, colic, collapse, cramps,
cyanosis, diarrhea, leg cramps.
Chemistry
Per 100 g, the seed is reported to contain 6.6 g H2O, 18.2 g protein, 38.0 g fat, 33.5
g total carbohydrate, 15.5 g fiber, and 4.5 g ash (Duke and Atchley, 1983). Leaves,
which show antileukemic activity, contain a-amyrin, b-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and
campesterol, 7-keto-b-sitosterol, stigmast-5-ene-3-b, 7-a-diol, and stigmast-5-ene-3
b, 7 b-diol (Morton, 1981). Leaves contain isovitexin and vitexin. From the drug
(nut?) saccharose, raffinose, stachyose, glucose, fructose, galactose, protein, and an
oil, largely of oleic- and linoleic-acids (List and Horhammer, 19691979), curcasin,
arachidic-, linoleic-, myristic-, oleic-, palmitic-, and stearic-acids are also reported
(Perry, 1980).
Toxicity
The poisoning is irritant, with acute abdominal pain and nausea about 1/2 hour

following ingestion. Diarrhea and nausea continue but are not usually serious.
Depression and collapse may occur, especially in children. Two seeds are strong
purgative. Four to five seed are said to have caused death, but the roasted seed is
said to be nearly innocuous. Bark, fruit, leaf, root, and wood are all reported to
contain HCN (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). Seeds contain the dangerous
toxalbumin curcin, rendering them potentially fatally toxic.
Description
Shrub or tree to 6 m, with spreading branches and stubby twigs, with a milky or
yellowish rufescent exudate. Leaves deciduous, alternate but apically crowded,
ovate, acute to acuminate, basally cordate, 3 to 5-lobed in outline, 640 cm long,
635 cm broad, the petioles 2.57.5 cm long. Flowers several to many in greenish
cymes, yellowish, bell-shaped; sepals 5, broadly deltoid. Male flowers many with
10 stamens, 5 united at the base only, 5 united into a column. Female flowers borne
singly, with elliptic 3-celled, triovulate ovary with 3 spreading bifurcate stigmata.
Capsules, 2.54 cm long, finally drying and splitting into 3 valves, all or two of
which commonly have an oblong black seed, these ca 2 x 1 cm (Morton, 1977;
Little et al., 1974).
Germplasm
Reported from the Central and South American Centers of Diversity, physic nut, or
cvs thereof, is reported to tolerate Slope. There is an endemic species in
Madagascars J. mahafalensis, with equal energetic promise. (2n = 22)
Distribution
Though native to America, the species is almost pantropical now, widely planted as
a medicinal plant which soon tends to establish itself. It is listed, e.g., as a weed in
Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador (Holm et
al, 1979).
Ecology
Ranging from Tropical Very Dry to Moist through Subtropical Thorn to Wet Forest
Life Zones, physic nut is reported to tolerate annual precipitation of 4.8 to 23.8 dm
(mean of 60 cases = 14.3) and annual temperature of 18.0 to 28.5C (mean of 45
cases = 25.2).
Cultivation
Grows readily, from cuttings or seeds. Cuttings strike root so easily that the plant
can be used as an energy-producing living fence post.
Harvesting
For medicinal purposes, the seeds are harvested as needed. For energy purposes,
seeds might be harvested all at once, the active medicinal compounds might be
extracted from the seed, before or after the oil, leaving the oil cake for biomass or
manure.
Energy
The clear oil expressed from the seed has been used for illumination and
lubricating, and more recently has been suggested for energetic purposes, one ton
of nuts yielding 70 kg refined petroleum, 40 kg "gasoil leger" (light fuel oil), 40 kg

regular fuel oil, 34 kg dry tar/pitch/rosin, 270 kg coke-like char, and 200 kg
ammoniacal water, natural gas, creosote, etc. In a startling study, Gaydou et al.
(1982) compare several possible energy species with potential to grow in Malagasy.
Oil palm was considered energetically most promising.
Yields and Economics
According to Gaydou et al (1982), seed yields approach 68 MT/ha with ca 37%
oil. They calculate that such yields could produce the equivalent of 2,1002,800
liters fuel oil/ha (see table under Energy). In Madagascar, they have ca 10,000 ha of
purging nut, each producing ca 24 hl oil/ha for a potential production of 240,000 hl
(Gaydou, et al, 1982).

FAQ
What is Bio-diesel?
Bio-diesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic,
renewable resources such as soybeans, sunflowers, canola, waste cooking oil, or
animal fats. Bio-diesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with
petroleum diesel to create a Bio-diesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition
(diesel) engines or oil-fired boilers or furnaces with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and
aromatics.
How is Bio-diesel made?
Bio-diesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification in which the
glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two
products-alkyl esters (the generic chemical name for Bio-diesel) and glycerin (a
valuable byproduct usually sold to be used in soaps and other products)?
Why should I use Bio-diesel?
Bio-diesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources
and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt
and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable
resources, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil, creates jobs, and
contributes to our own economy.
How do Bio-diesel emissions compare to petroleum diesel?
Bio-diesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing
requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of Bio-diesel in a conventional diesel
engine or oil-fired furnace or boiler results in substantial reduction of unburned
hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from
diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major
components of acid rain) from Bio-diesel are essentially eliminated compared to
diesel.

Can Bio-diesel help mitigate "global warming"?

A 1998 Bio-diesel lifecycle study, jointly sponsored by the US Department of Energy
and the US Department of Agriculture, concluded Bio-diesel reduces net CO2
emissions by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. This is due to Bio-diesel's
closed carbon cycle. Most of the CO2 released into the atmosphere when Bio-diesel is
burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed into.
Is Bio-diesel used as a pure fuel or is it blended with petroleum diesel?
Bio-diesel can be used as a pure fuel or blended with petroleum in any percentage.
B20 (a blend of 20 percent by volume Bio-diesel with 80 percent by volume
petroleum diesel) has demonstrated significant environmental benefits with a
minimum increase in cost for fleet operations and other consumers.
What is B100?
Full strength (100 percent) Bio-diesel is often referred to as B100 or "neat" Biodiesel. A blend of Bio-diesel containing 20 percent Bio-diesel and 80 percent
petroleum diesel is referred to as B20. The most popular blend of Bio-diesel in the
United Sates is B20, which offers significant reductions in harmful emissions at an
affordable price.