Jatropha–Jet-A Bio-Fuel Possibility

The seeds of the jatropha plant, sometimes known as the purging nut, which are poisonous to humans, contain 30%–40% oil that may be refined at a significantly lower cost than crude oil and will soon supplement Jet-A to run one of four engines powering an Air New Zealand 747. Test flights are currently scheduled for November. Boeing, Air New Zealand, Rolls-Royce PLC and agricultural experts in Hawaii are all part of the programme. Jatropha, which is a “weed”, grows well in a range of warm environments with little care and requires very little water.

One hectare of jatropha can be made to produce up to 500 gallons of fuel, which is significantly more productive than a hectare of corn. Analysts predict that jatropha fuel could be produced for around $43 a barrel without adversely affecting food supplies or diverting farming resources (unlike corn or sugarcane-based ethanol fuels).

There are already several refineries under construction in Africa to process the oil into biodiesel for automobiles. Kenya is working on a five-year biofuel industry development plan, and India, China and Brazil have already planted millions of hectares of jatropha. The jatropha Air New Zealand will use will come from an unnamed “hydro plant” in the U.S.

The jatropha plant is one of many being seriously researched and considered for biofuel production, along with synthetic fuels, to address rising costs faced by fuel-dependent industries.