news/updates
Specialized facility needed for jatropha-based fuel due to toxic elements
By Myrna M. Velasco
Manila Bulletin
September 18, 2007
A specialized facility for jatropha nut crushing has been proposed by experts so its toxic vapor can be managed and potential adverse impact on human lives and the environment can be lessened.
Moat of Asian markets, including China, has been gradually realizing the toxic elements that jatropha may produce when used as feedstock for biofuels.
The Philippines is one of the countries putting its bet on jatropha for biodiesel, but advocates and policymakers are cautioned this early to be wary on the low down of utilizing jatropha as a feedstock.
In a conference organized by Dewitt & Company Inc. in Bankok, Thailand recently, experts have drawn conclusive evidence that while the use of jatropha as a fuel will bring down emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), this is negated by the fuel’s potential on higher nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions.
A study presented by LP Power Consultants noted that biodiesel, including those extracted out from jatropha, contains 11 percent oxygen by weight, thus this improves combustion efficiency and reduces emissions of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulates.
But since jatropha is considered an oxygenated fuel, it tends "to increase emissions of NOX, which is a greenhouse gas with 310 times the global warming potential as compared to CO2."
At present, debates in the country are still centered on the yield potential of jatropha as a fuel crop, and it would take longer time yet before concerns on the properties of the fuel will stare policymakers on the face.
It was noted that initial yield from jatropha is expected to be not substantial on the first year, but this is seen improving on its third to fifth years of cultivation.
This proposed feedstock was also assessed to be very labor intensive; hence, experts opined that "increased labor cost may destroy economic feasibility of investments for biodiesel refinery."
Experts also raised concern over the fact that fruit brunches of jatropha ripen at different times and this makes it difficult to harvest mechanically.
It was also determined in other countries that jatropha is susceptible to mosaic virus, bacteria root rot, and various insects, and this could significantly reduce the yield per hectare.
The major advantage of the fuel crop seen by experts is its tolerance to tropical and rainforest climates; and is also drought-resistant.
