Biodiesel production from Jatropha seeds using heterogeneous integrated extraction reaction process

Integrated extraction and transesterification process for biodiesel production from Jatropha Curcas (JCL) seeds using hexane and methanol via base catalyzed transesterification is reported in this paper. The effects of reaction time, catalyst dose, liquid to solid ratio, type of solvent and grain size of JCL seeds on biodiesel production were investigated. It was found that hexane played the role of both co - solvent and co - extractant which enhanced the efficiency of oil extraction and facilitated mass transfer. The highest biodiesel yield (90.8%) was obtained at hexane to seed ratio of 5:1 (vol / wt), methanol to seed ratio 1:1 (vol /wt), activated Ca O of 1% by wt of seeds, stirring speed 700 rpm, temperature of 70 degrees C at reaction time 6 hours.