Preparation and evaluation of Jatropha curcas based catalyst and functionalized blend components for low sulfur diesel fuel

A promising biochar-based catalyst was successfully developed from Jatropha curcas hull and de-oiled meal by incomplete carbonization and subsequent sulfonation. The catalysts were employed to produce functionalized blend components for low sulfur diesel. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, TG-DSC, BET, FT-IR and SEM. The characterization results revealed that the catalysts consisted of irregular, porous framework bearing abundant functional groups (-SO3H). The catalysts demonstrated high catalytic activity in transesterification, especially in esterification of free fatty acid (FFA). The superior catalytic activity was performed owing to high active sites density, large pores and loose irregular network of the catalysts, which facilitated mass transport of the reactant molecules and further enhanced the active sites accessibility. And the catalyst is fairly stable after five reaction recycles. The lubricating performance of the product was evaluated by high-frequency reciprocating test rig (HFRR). The findings indicated that methyl esters derived from Jatropha curcas oil were efficient enough to use as lubrication blend components and the average wear scar diameter (WSD) values of the sample fuel decreased progressively with the increasing of additive concentration.