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[The Biz]

Hi,

I am new to biomass gasification but have  been involved with establishing jatropha curcas plantations in Madagascar.  It seems to me that entire jatropha seeds in their husks might work very well with GEK.  Jatropha curcas is an alternative energy source as the seeds can be pressed to produce a non-food oil that can be used as bio-diesel.  There have already been some trials of using jatropha husks as a biomass feedstock but GEK technology looks highly appropriate for generating electricity at village level.

http://t1.gstatic.co...dNReTpt3ud3G7Ag

The seeds complete with husk are easily available and appear to be about the right shape and size for GEK and would have a high energy density and the oil content would be about 15%.

Considering the energy consumption necessary to extract the oil (decortication of the husk, removal of the seed coat and pressing the kernels) I am curious what the comparison of net energy gain between using jatropha oil for fuel or directly using the seeds in their husks.

So if anyone has tried using jatropha curcas seeds, husks, or presscake as biomass feed stock for GEK I'd love to hear from you.

Attached Files

•  Preparation of jatropha seeds1.jpg   19.03K   10 downloads

[jimmason]

thanks for the pictures of jathropa nuts and shells. i've yet to have an opportunity to try the, but would like to. the shells appear just barely large enough. too small of pieces will lead to packing in the reduction bell.

are there options in the deshelling to maintain the shell more whole vs breaking it up? if so, it would help much in running them. the big void space of full half shells make a great gasifier fuel.

nut shells are also a bit easier than regular wood as they are a high fixed carbon to volatile ratio. you get less tar produced during pyrolysis, so a bit less excess tars to have to crack in the hearth.

what the oils do i'm still trying to figure out.

j