Bio-diesel from Jatropha
Lankan firm ventures into new territory:
Hiran H. Senewiratne
A Sri Lankan company has taken the initiative to find an alternative
energy source in the wake of the current fuel crisis.
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Jatropha plants |
A Sri Lankan company has taken this initiative to produce bio-diesel
out of Jatropha, (Weta Edaru) for the local market.
This project has been undertaken by the company, Lintons Bio Diesel (Pvt)
Limited, to plant 100 acres of Jatropha in the Mahiyangana area to
produce bio-diesel.
The company has invested a considerable amount of money for the
project, its CEO/Consultant A. P. Deegalla said.
Talking to the Daily News on the viability of the project, he said
more than 18 countries successfully obtain bio diesel now including USA,
India and China.
Therefore, this project is suitable for the Sri Lankan soil
conditions, he said.
Jatropha, the wonder plant produces seeds with an oil content of 37
per cent. Jatropha oil is converted into methyl ester (Biodiesel) by the
process of transesterification. The transesterification process is a
chemical process, which requires alcohol as driver (alcohol) escape
glycerinate and ester.
The ester has the quality of diesel, he said.
These processing plants can be easily installed anywhere with simple
technology”, he said.
According to Deegalla, three kgs of Jatropha can produce one litre of
bio-diesel. Therefore, once the company starts commercial operations, by
2010 they expect to produce 250,000 litres of bio diesel for a year.
One-acre could accomodate 1000 plants and the maturity period will be
around five years and the profit margin is more than 50 per cent from a
tree, he said.
From one-hectare, they will be able to produce between 2100-2800
litres per year and the energy value is 19,800 to 26,400 Kw/ha.
Jatropha is also medically used for diseases like cancer, piles,
snakebites, paralysis and dropsy.
Depending on soil quality and rainfall, oil can be extracted,
Deegalle said. With the high oil crisis India is involved in this
business on a large scale especially in the Rajasthan State.
Therefore, to promote the concept the Ministry of Environment has set
up a seed producing centre at Digana, he said.
With these developments Sri Lanka could produce at least 10 per cent
of the total diesel requirement in the country. |
