Ultrasonicated Jatropha Curcas Seed Residual as Potential Biofuel Feedstock

Abstract

This study focuses on the prospect of Jatropha Curcas seed residual from the ultrasonic in-situ process which is used as a biofuel raw material especially for producing bioethanol. Reactive extraction process coupled with ultrasonic system were used for simultaneous oil extraction and transesterification of Jatropha Curcas seed. Using ethanol as the solvent, alkaline catalyst (sodium hydroxide) and with the aid of ultrasonic device, about 50% oil from the initial seeds was extracted, which is equivalent to Soxhlet extraction performance. The seeds were being chemically and physically characterized with ultimate analyses, with SEM and XRD as potential bioethanol raw material. SEM and XRD profile exhibited loosen compounds in the ultrasonicated residues and provided a better accessible and easier degradable fiber for assisting bioethanol production process compared to the initial seeds. The positive effects of the ultrasonic reactive extraction for Jatropha Curcas seed pre-treatment is beneficial towards bioethanol production and could further be used as a solvent in the latter process.

Process intensification of biodiesel synthesis via ultrasound‐assisted in situ esterification of Jatropha oil seeds

“…This difference could indicate that ultrasonic esterification did not significantly remove those nutrients that provide important nitrogen source during the bioethanol fermentation process. 49 Similar trends in all the elemental compositions were also observed in the ultrasound assisted reactive extraction of Jatropha seeds undertaken by Zahari et al 53 in the presence of H 2 SO 4 as catalyst.…”

“…A similar trend was exhibited by both types of Jatropha seeds but ultrasonic esterified Jatropha seeds were found to be more susceptible to thermal decomposition at lower temperature. It was proposed from the results that ultrasound could break down the seed matrix, rendering the biomass compounds more easily thermally degraded . It was also noted that there was no significant weight loss after 700 °C while ultrasonic esterified seed still suffered weight loss to 900 °C.…”

“…, the major components found in both of the raw Jatropha seeds and ultrasonic esterified Jatropha seeds were carbon and oxygen. Decrement in the carbon content after ultrasound assisted in situ esterification was attributed to the extraction of fat and lipids (long chain carbon molecules) . The presence of nitrogen would indicate the existence of protein in the seeds .…”

“…It was proposed from the results that ultrasound could break down the seed matrix, rendering the biomass compounds more easily thermally degraded. 49 It was also noted that there was no significant weight loss after 700 ∘ C while ultrasonic esterified seed still suffered weight loss to 900 ∘ C. This phenomenon might be due to the reduction of lignin content in the ultrasonic esterified seed after breakage by the ultrasonic energy waves. 50…”

“…Decrement in the carbon content after ultrasound assisted in situ esterification was attributed to the extraction of fat and lipids (long chain carbon molecules). 49 The presence of nitrogen would indicate the existence of protein in the seeds. 51 The crude protein content could be estimated from the nitrogen composition (N × 6.25).…”