Egyptian Jatropha Oil Extraction for Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel is the most desirable biofuel economically and technically and it can be made from any vegetable oil. In EGYPT jatropha oil seems to be the best source for biodiesel production because jatropha tree is easily growing and easily propagated. Also jatropha tree thrives in marginal and desert areas that are unable to support crops and it can be irrigated with primary treated municipal wastewater. The main purpose of this investigation is to compare and optimize the oil yield extracted from jatropha seeds on both bench and pilot scale. Different solvents under different extraction conditions were studied to determine optimum solvent type, solid: liquid ratio and extraction time which gave maximum oil yield. Oil extracted specifications, losses in seeds dehulling & washing, losses in solvent used and extracted meal analysis & uses were also concluded.