The development of a clear and fat separator of the jatropha oil

Abstract

This research objectives are to develop a clear and fat separator of the Jatropha oil and to evaluate the performance. A machine consisted raw materials tank, reactor, clear and separated tank and control set. The reactor has diameter and the capacity of 50 cm and 90L and heated by electrical heater (3000 W). Flat blade agitator is driven by 0.25 HP of motor with 150 rpm and cooled by the water tube coil in diameter of 2.5 cm inside reactor tank. The clear and fat separated tank has a diameter and the capacity of 50 cm and 110L. From the evaluation of the machine performance, raw jatropha oil (40 L) properties are viscosity and flash point of 42.66 cP and 240oC. After esterification process at temperature of 60oC at 150 rpm agitation for 60 min washed five times with water oil ratio is 1: 2 at a time for 20 min and then boiled to remove water for 60 min. The oil is reacted in tranesterification process at temperature of 60oC, 150 rpm for 60 min and precipitated glycerol for 90 min and then washed and boiled to remove water. The products are glycerin (15 L) and ester oil (25 L) with the viscosity and flash point are 42.16 cP and 150oC and the color changed to clear yellow. The machine cost is 39,690 THB. and payback period is 75 days