Effects of Reaction Conditions on the Alkali-Catalyzed Biodiesel Production from Jatropha Curcas Kernel of Nigerian Origin for Optimal Production

Abstract

The blistering decline in the Nigerian petroleum reserves coupled with the crucial sustainable development goal (SDG) No 7 (which is concerned with ensuring a universal access to cost-effective energy with low carbon footprint by 2030) have made it highly imperative for Nigeria (the 7th most populous country in the world) to intensify research and industrial efforts towards the attainment of the SDG targets before the year 2030. Biodiesel has been produced in this work through alkali-catalyzed transesterification from jatropha curcas kernel (JCK) of Nigerian origin. The extensive characterization of the extracted jatropha curcas kernel oil (JCKO) is indicative of its potential as a viable feedstock for biodiesel production in Nigeria. The analysis conducted to characterize the produced biodiesel by investigating the effects of various reaction parameters on its yield has given a set of optimum reaction conditions which are: oil-methanol ratio of 1:6, 1% catalyst dosage and reaction time of 60minutes at a pre-determined optimum temperature of 60^OC for the highest yield of 92.4%. The produced biodiesel properties compared satisfactorily with ASTM D6751 (standard for B100-100% biodiesel with zero blend). Undoubtedly, this possibility of biodiesel production from the Nigerian JCK is an impetus to Nigerian rural dwellers who will farm the plants while the comprehensive allied methods and data are aimed to serve as a database for the Nigerian urban entrepreneurs and Government Agencies who will process the kernels from harvesting stage and optimally produce biodiesel thereby enhancing the sustainability of Nigerian economy and environment to meet the global regulations.