Our approach to transform crude Jatropha oil to biodiesel is to transesterify the oil. This involves a process combining Jatropha oil with methanol and a catalyst (sodium hydroxide) to produce methyl ester or biodiesel. Our biodiesel conforms to European Specification EN 14214 and has zero sulphur content. It also meets the Ghana Biodiesel Standard GS 944:2008. KIMMINIC will produce an initial quantity of 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes a year of biodiesel.
Virgin Atlantic and Boeing along with Continental Airlines, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines and others have all conducted test flights with Jatropha fuel blends. Biodiesel is the fuel of the future as it is the most valuable form of renewable energy. Research has found that it produces 80% less carbon dioxide, 100% less sulfur dioxide emissions, has 90% reduction in cancer risks and is as biodegradable as sugar. Biodiesel has a positive energy balance. For every unit of energy needed to produce a gallon of biodiesel, at least 4.5 units of energy are gained. This takes into account the planting, harvesting, fuel production and fuel transportation to the end user.
One of the biggest advantages of biodiesel compared to many other alternative transportation fuels is that it can be used in existing diesel engines without modification, and it can be blended at any ratio. It is known to extend the life of diesel engines. As well, it is cheaper than fossil or petrol diesel and conserves natural resources.
Biodiesel, therefore, is ideal for heavily polluted cities and it is already regulated as a blend for diesel-powered cars and trucks in many countries. For example, Europe has mandated that 5.75% of its fuel consumption should come from biofuel by 2010-2011; this will increase to 20% by the year 2020. Ghana is working on regulations for a B20 blend (80% fossil and 20 biodiesel) to be enforced by 2015.
Biodiesel is widely used in underground mines because it reduces miners’ exposure to air-borne diesel particulate matter (DPM). Industry reports have cited DPM levels of 300 to 800 micrograms per cubic meter of air in underground mines being reduced to 50 to 200 micrograms when biodiesel replaced fossil diesel as engine fuel. Above ground mines have also been moving steadily towards the use of biodiesel in heavy construction and earth-moving equipment. Companies who have been using the blends for quite some time state that “…in all heavy construction equipment they have seen good results in terms of performance, energy utilization, and obviously DPM reduction” (Biodiesel Magazine, May 2008).