Rapid Jatropha-biodiesel production assisted by a microwave system and a sodium amide catalyst

In this study, a sodium amide (NaNH2) catalyst and a microwave heating system were used to increase Jatropha methyl ester yields, and reduce both reaction time and energy consumption. The experimental results indicate that the yield increased as the catalyst amount, reaction time, methanol-to-oil molar ratio, and temperature increased, and then decreased when the values of these parameters increased. The highest Jatropha methyl ester yield produced by operating a conventional heating system (CHS) was 95.6% when using 1.0 wt.% of a NaNH2 catalyst, a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 8, a reaction time of 7 min, and a temperature of 65 °C. The highest yield produced by applying microwave heating system (MW) was 96.2% when using 1.0 wt.% of a NaNH2 catalyst, a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 8, a reaction time of 90 min, and a temperature of 65 °C. The total amount of energy required for MW was 10 times less than that required for CHS. The experimental results indicate that MW performs more favorably and is more energy efficient compared with CHS, and offers a rapid, simple method biodiesel production. Through a proper research focus and development, Jatropha oil can become the next ideal feedstock for biodiesel.