Abstract

MAROUšKOVA, L Anna  and  BRAUN, Petr. Holistic approach to improve the energy utilization of Jatropha curcas. Rev. Téc. Ing. Univ. Zulia [online]. 2014, vol.37, n.2, pp.144-150. ISSN 0254-0770.

Novel holistic approach to the energy utilization of Jatropha curcas L. is easily adaptable to other similar oil crops is presented. The novelty of the approach consists from deshelling, mechanical grinding and especially hot maceration followed by pressure shockwaves. The pressure shockwaves (50 up to 60MPa) were generated by the underwater high voltage discharges (3.5kV, 4W) which caused the rapid expansion of water plasma bubble. The subsequent deep intracellular disintegration increased the oil yield by 11.6% and methane yield from the seedcake by 27.4%. In addition it is proposed to utilize the hot flue gases of 490°C from the combustion engine at the cogeneration unit linked to the biogas station to charcoal the fermentation residue. This way was succesfully obtained biochar for soil enrichment, heating or other purposes.

Keywords : Jatropha curcas L; oil; biogas; charcoal; shockwaves.

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