[Stoves] Jatropha fruit as fuel?

Sat Jan 19 11:29:12 CST 2013

Otto,

Whole Jatropha seeds can be picked from hedges on-farm and used directly in our jiko safi gasification stove without any further effort (except maybe for some sun drying if harvested during a damp season) … the most decentralized, efficient sustainable fuel system I can imagine.

Sure, urban jiko safi users will need to buy their fuel seeds, so a commercial system for transport and retail sale of seed will be needed eventually, likely mimicking some aspects of the charcoal trade. But it’s just whole, unprocessed seed.

Concerning pelletized Jatropha fuel, I would like to understand the advantages you find in going through the costs and effort (including energy losses) of processing seeds to expel the oil, then probably milling the press cake and shells (?) to uniform size/texture, then extruding or otherwise forming the mixture into pellets, and finally distribute the fuel, some of which will go back to the same farmers that grew the Jatropha seed in the first place?

I know there are technical advantages to gasification of uniform-sized pellets, but it seems to me that round or ovoid shaped seeds like Jatropha, castor (I know, more poisons!), shea or croton megalocarpus provide this same advantage, without going through the pelletization process.  What am I missing?

Otto, the minor

P.S.  It's too late for me to retire 'on time'

From: terra-matricula at hotmail.com
To: stoves at lists.bioenergylists.org
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:23:37 +0100
Subject: Re: [Stoves] Jatropha fruit as fuel?

Jonathan,

We have got some samples of pelletized jatropha shells and seeds from Zambia, after the oil has been extracted and we feel that is the way forward.

We will update you on the progress, so you will be albe to retire "on time".................:)
We are not so worried about PM in natural draft gasifiers, but thanks for the concern.

Otto........................

From: ottojonathan at hotmail.com
To: stoves at lists.bioenergylists.org
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2013 09:03:35 -0500
Subject: Re: [Stoves] Jatropha fruit as fuel?

Otto-

You 'would guess' wrong. 

'We should be very careful advising people' about such unsupported conclusions.

The challenges of gasifying oils found in seeds, notably the oils of Jatropha seed, in a cookstove are far different from working with most pellets formulations. 

I keenly look forward to news of your all-fuel stoves that will handle J seeds, and the results of your tests. I sincerely hope you develop this soon, so I can finally retire in peace.

Oh, and when you do tests, please include particulates in your emissions testing, so we can finally end all this hand wringing about 'these types of fuel'.

>From the cheeky other Otto,

Jonathan 

From: terra-matricula at hotmail.com
To: stoves at lists.bioenergylists.org
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:23:48 +0100
Subject: Re: [Stoves] Jatropha fruit as fuel?

Dear stovers, 

I would guess that "any" gasifier will burn jatropha seeds or pellets cleanly and efficient, as long as the moisture content are less than 10%.

We have in the pipeline to test a new design of natural draft gasifiers, using jatropha seeds and pellets, for emmissions and toxcic fumes.

We should be very carefull adviceing people using these types of fuel, before it has been carefully tested by independent institutions.

Have a nice weekend.

Otto (not the famous one..........:)

From: crispinpigott at gmail.com
To: stoves at lists.bioenergylists.org
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:19:11 -0500
Subject: Re: [Stoves] Jatropha fruit as fuel?

Dear Jonathan

I am interested in the general layout and dimensions of a stove that will burn the seeds well. Are you sharing at this time anything regarding the design?

Thanks
Crispin

++++++++

Dear Joyce and stovers all,

My regrets for not responding to this request 6 months ago.  I admit that it got lost in my messy inbox which I have now reduced from 6000 messages to a mere 2400, and in the process uncovered Joyce's email.

Burning Jatropha seeds whole or in briquettes in open cooking arrangements is a bad idea.  It produces a smoky, smelly fire and probably exposes cooks to toxic emissions.  I even question burning Jatropha oil in lamps in enclosed areas for the same reason. Maybe others know of emissions studies.
[snip]
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