Effect of wastewater irrigation on biodiesel quality and productivity from castor and sunflower oil seeds

Since biofuels are capturing a significant share in the energy consumption pattern, serious concerns have been declared regarding the impacts of biofuel production on environmental quality. One environmental aspect that has gained attention, is the significant water consumption for cultivations of biofuel crops and it is strictly related to the water scarcity encountered in many regions as a result of climate change, so alternative water sources such as wastewater can be exploited. The purpose of this paper is to study the use of wastewater as irrigation feedstock for cultivations of sunflower and castor crops and to track the effect of critical parameters on oil and biodiesel quality. Parameters such as oil yield, acid value, density and viscosity were measured and it was observed that wastewater irrigation can have a positive impact on oil's quality for biodiesel production.

► We studied the impact of irrigation water and cultivated species on the biofuel quality.
► It was found that the wastewater irrigation improves critical factors for biodiesel synthesis.
► The municipal wastewater could serve as primary irrigation feedstock for energy crops.