Optimization of jatropha oil extraction by liquid extraction and pressing methods

Abstract

Various types of seed oils such as coconut, palm, sunflower, rapeseed, groundnut and soybean are being used to produce various non-food products in the world at present. A large portion of this is used for biodiesel production. However, use of these oils for nonfood applications is highly debatable and lot of opposition has been raised by many due to high prices and shortages of food supply in the world. As a result of this, researchers are now focusing on using non edible seed oils such Jatropha (Weta Endaru), Neem (Kohomba) and Rubber for the production of biodiesel. Seeds like Rubber, Jatropha and neem have husk protecting the kernel. This makes the oil extraction difficult and the oil yield very low. Therefore a short term research work was carried out at the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, to extract oil from Jatropha curcas (Weta Endaru) and to optimize the expelling, pressing method and the solvent extraction conditions.