|
|
An introduction to the development of biofuels as an alternative energy source in Suriname.
|
The seeds of Jatropha curcas yield a non edible oil that is the source of Biodiesel fuel. After extraction, the oil can be processed into the biodiesel that can be used alone or as a mixture with petrodiesel in all diesel engines. By - products in the refining process are: the seedcake (can be used as fertilizer) and glycerin. |
Many enterprises are being established worldwide for the production of biodiesel using vegetable oil as feedstock. However, crops such as soya beans, corn - and palm oil are also used by the food industry which put tremendous strain on the price of the vegetable oil as a starting point for the production of the biodiesel. Jatropha curcas is the only one which pairs a high yield of extractable oil from the seeds, to a relative low price for the raw oil. This is due to the fact that Jatropha is a non edible oil. Since Jatropha is basically a tropical plant that, although it can also be grown in zones 9 - 10, grows best in the tropics. TROPILAB INC. has taken an initiative to develop Jatropha curcas as a crop for biodiesel production in Surinam. In the near future a production factory for bio-diesel will be linked up. In the first stage of the project, 50,000 ha will be put into production in the years ahead. |
TROPILAB® INC. |