The cultivation of Jatropha for the production of biodiesel

ABSTRACT – Encouraging the use of renewable energy, with emphasis on biofuels, replacing those of fossil origin, has become one of the alternatives to the issue of global warming. To this end, biodiesel stands out among these, mainly the use of Jatropha curcas (Jatropha curcas L.) crops. Touted as a plant of imminent success in Brazil, particularly with regard to the inclusion of small farmers, Jatropha arrives in the Semi-arid region as an economically viable alternative for small farmers and large entrepreneurs. A species native to Brazil, from the Euphorbiaceae family, demanding in terms of sunlight and with strong resistance to drought, it is a viable crop for small rural properties, with family labor, being another source of income and employment for the region. It represents an attractive alternative for oil production for energy purposes. The residue from oil extraction can be used for soil recovery, as it is rich in NPK and, after detoxification, used as animal feed. The main advantages of the rational cultivation of Jatropha are the low production cost and its ability to produce in less fertile and sandy soils, in addition to the high productivity, ease of cultivation and seed harvesting.

Keywords – Jatropha curcas L; Oilseeds; Biodiesel; Pie;

INTRODUCTION

Biodiesel is part of the ecological cycle and can be used pure or mixed with petroleum mineral diesel in any proportion, without the need for modifications to current diesel engines manufactured in Brazil (Beltrão, 2003). This fuel can be produced from any vegetable or animal oil. Among the oilseeds that can be cultivated for the production of biodiesel, Jatropha curcas L. stands out, a native species, from the Euphorbiaceae family, demanding in terms of sunlight and with strong resistance to drought that currently has no economic application. , but according to Carnielli (2003), it is a viable plant for obtaining biodiesel, as it produces at least two tons of oil per hectare/year, taking three to four years to reach productive age, which extends for 40 years. After extracting the oil, the remainder, called cake or bran, can still be used for soil recovery, as it is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (Brasil, 1985) and, after detoxification, used as animal feed.

As a crop that exists spontaneously in areas with low fertile soils and an unfavorable climate for most traditional food crops, Jatropha can be considered one of the most promising oilseed crops in the southeast, center-west and northeast of Brazil, to replace diesel. of oil. It is highly resistant to diseases and insects do not attack it, as it secretes caustic latex, which drips from plucked or injured leaves. For Purcino & Drummond (1986), this is a culture that can develop on small properties, with family labor available, being another source of income for rural properties, in addition to generating millions of jobs in the northeast region. , which according to Beltrão et al. (2003) has more than 10 million unemployed and/or underemployed people.

As oilseeds correspond to the majority of the raw material used to obtain biodiesel, the research consisted of presenting jatropha as a viable and complementary raw material alternative for the production of biodiesel as it is a low-cost crop. , non-food and with good geographic adaptation.

DEVELOPMENT

Jatrophas Curcas is a fast-growing shrub, which under natural conditions can reach up to four meters in height, generating its first harvest after one hundred and twenty days of planting and, under suitable conditions, a harvest every six months. , for up to forty years.

Its fruit is a capsule with three seeds, in which there are almonds, rich in oil. This crop occurs spontaneously in areas with less fertile soil and a climate that is unfavorable to most other crops, facilitating cultivation on small rural properties, and is considered one of the most promising oilseed crops for Mercosur. It is a species with strong resistance to drought and produces, on average, two to five tons of biodiesel per hectare. It is easy to grow, resistant to long-term droughts, unusable soils and in areas that are unviable for handling machines. It can be developed with family labor, thus being a source of income for rural properties in need. It can be used in soil conservation, because it prevents erosion and water loss through evaporation, in addition to being a natural fertilizer. When the oil is removed, the remaining bagasse can be used as organic fertilizer and fertilizer, and the bark in the manufacture of paper or as charcoal, used for energy production. The seeds are not edible, nor taken by birds or animals, because they are highly toxic and do not harm other crops or areas. Interestingly, its leaves and stems expel a toxic liquid that makes them immune to known pests and insects. It tolerates irrigation with brackish water, prevents desertification and the biodiesel in its oil does not contain sulfur.

The cake, which still contains approximately 8% oil, is re-extracted with organic solvents, generally hexane, and the residual bran is bagged for use as a natural fertilizer, due to the high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (Pinhao Manso, 2007 )

In research carried out evaluating the potential of oil extracted from albumen, a variation of up to 3% in the oil content between the different extractions was found. The factors contributing to this variation may be related to the genetic variability of the seeds, cultivation conditions, state of maturation and conservation of the fruits (MELO et al., 2006).

Table 1 indicates the results of the analyzes processed on different batches of seeds, whose oil content yields (dry basis) are expressed as a percentage, according to the characteristics of the part of the fruit analyzed. Highlight for the albumen with 60,8% oil content.

CONCLUSION

The production of biodiesel is advantageous when made from any raw material, as it complements petroleum, causing less harm to the environment. However, biodiesel made from jatropha oil stands out from the rest due to its small number of disadvantages when compared to other inputs.

This is a species with great potential with clean energy alternatives based on the use of biomass, providing scale and stability for entrepreneurs who decide to invest in the sector, in addition to the economic and social benefits, collaboration in environmental preservation, which has become one of the strong points the use of biodiesel and sustainable development, helping to reduce greenhouse gases.

Jatropha is a source of additional income for the rural population in need due to its low cultivation cost: it does not require pesticides, does not contaminate the soil, and does not require soil preparation or use of modern equipment. It is very resistant to drought, has high productivity per hectare and produces excellent quality biodiesel, making it a great complementary alternative in biodiesel production.

Epitácio de Alcântara Freire1

;

Vera Lucia Antunes de Lima2

;

1 Student of the Postgraduate Course in Agricultural Engineering / UFCG – Campina Grande/PB –

2 Professor of the Postgraduate Course in Agricultural Engineering / UFCG – Campina Grande/PB –

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

BELTRÃO, N. E. de M. Information about biodiesel, in particular, made with castor oil. Brazilian magazine of oilseeds and fibrous crops, Campina Grande, v. n. 2003. (Scientific notes).

BIODIESELBR, 2006. Available at: <

- curcas.html >. Accessed on: May 10, 2010.

BRAZIL. Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Secretary of Industrial Technology. Production of liquid fuels from vegetable oils. Brasília, STI/CIT, 1985, 364p. (Documents, 16).

CARNIELLI, F. The fuel of the future. Available in:

2003.

MELO, J. C. et al. Preliminary Assessment of the Potential of Jatropha for Biodiesel Production. 31st Congress of the Brazilian Biodiesel Technology Network: technical and scientific articles. Brasília, August 1 and September 2006, XNUMX.

PURCINO, A.A.C; DRUMMOND, O. A. Jatropha. Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais – EPAMIG, 1986, 7p. (Document).

SEVERINO, L.S.; VALE, L. S. do; BELTRÃO, N.E.M. A simple method for measurement of Jatropha curcas LEAF area. Rev.Bras.Ol. Fibrous. Campina Grande, v11. P. 9-14. Jan.-Apr.2007

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