Making Biofuel from the Fruit of the Jatropha Tree
In 2001, when petroleum prices began to spiral upwards, Ricardo Asturias in Guatemala saw an opportunity with biofuels. With a background in agribusiness and petroleum, Asturias knew that alternative fuels would be a promising investment and he had just the plant oil in mind, the nonedible fruit of the Jatropha tree (Jatropha Curcas), called the piñon. This small tree grows in abundance in Guatemala and has had little every day use but is known for its success in preventing erosion and deforestation. Asturias is quite confident that the piñon, and other renewable sources of energy, “will result in an agricultural revolution in our countries.”
This amazing non-edible fruit is a strong source of alternative fuel; it is good for consumers and the environment.
Other Benefits of Jatropha Curcas:
- It can grow almost anywhere, with little or no maintenance or water
- It grows in abundance
- Produces year round seed, if watered
- Medicinal and industrial uses, including: soaps, cosmetics, toothpaste, high quality paper, & cough medicine.
References:
http://www.biodieseltoday.com/
http://www.jatrophacurcasplantations.com/
http://www.iadb.org/idbamerica/index.cfm?thisid=4329
Are Biofuels Sustainable?
All of us are experiencing the pain at the gas pump, unless you have a hybrid, hydrogen or electric vehicle. Meanwhile, oil companies are experiencing tremendous profits, thanks to many reasons, including gas guzzling vehicles, successful marketing campaigns, and starry-eyed consumers. Many consumers bought into the marketing lie that "bigger is better" and now they financially suffer at the pump, while also negatively impacting our small planet. As we look at the various alternatives to petroleum, we must ask, are biofuels really sustainable? A document prepared by the House of Commons Environmental Committee (January 2008), addresses this very question. The fact is that biofuels are contributing to a global food crisis. According to a recent article in the Guardian, "Biofuels have forced global food prices up by 75% - far more than previously estimated - according to a confidential World Bank report obtained by the Guardian."
Considering the growing rhetoric of the depletion of oil reserves, let's take a look at the pros and cons of five sources of biofuels: corn ethanol, sugar-cane ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, algae biofuel, and biodiesel.
Corn Ethanol
Pros: Could reduce US reliance upon oil imports and decrease greenhouse gases.
Cons: Production is energy intensive and the price of corn, meat and grain have gone through the roof. 450+ pounds of corn are required to fill a 25 gallon tank with an ethanol (enough calories to feed one person for a year!).
Sugar-Cane Ethanol
Pros: Less energy to produce than corn and yields more per acre than corn.
Cons: Requires a warm, rainy climate to grow.
Cellulosic Ethanol
Pros: Made from wood chips, nonfood crops, and farm waste.
Cons: More expensive than sugar or corn and very energy intensive.
Algae Biofuel
Pros: Algae grows quickly and can produce 30x more energy than other biofuel alternatives.
Cons: Growing algae is expensive. The technology is not yet developed to make extensive fuel from algae.
Biodiesel
Pros: Made from vegetable oil, like canola and soy, and animal fat. Unfortunately, it requires 90% more energy to create it than to use it. Biodiesel is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40-80%.
Cons: Boosts "agflation".
Related articles:
U.N. Says Food Plan Could Cost $30 Billion a Year (New York Times, June 4, 2008)
All Biofuels Are Not The Same (Washington Post, June 16, 2008)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/03/biofuels.renewableenergy