Biodiesel Production and Application from Jatropha in Thailand : Jatropha's Cradle to the Grave

The price of petroleum products has been fluctuating and rising for many years and there is increasing green house gas emissions caused by its combustion. Biodiesel is an attractive solution for reducing the use of conventional diesel. Utilizing Biodiesel can reduce the amount of diesel importation and also reduce the green house gas emission. Thailand is an agricultural-based country which is capable to produce Jatropha. This oil producing crop has a good potential for Biodiesel production. Experiments were conducted to produce Jatropha oil by the process of transesterification. This experiment used methanol for mixing with Jatropha oil and in case of catalyst, potassium hydroxide was used. Parameters were compared between pure Jatropha oil and Jatropha-biodiesel in order to see which one is more suitable to be utilized in the single-cylinder diesel engine. This research is meant to provide useful information regarding the recommendation of biodiesel production from Jatropha. It is expected this will also encourage people to consider using Jatropha oil for biodiesel production along with palm in order to reduce the palm products shortage.