Abstract:
Jatropha curcas oil was found to be a good source for biodiesel the production. The effect of particle size and the temperature of Jatropha seeds on the extractability of oil were investigated in laboratory scale by mechanical pressing and solvent extraction. The results showed that the solvent extraction method is superior to mechanical pressing and expelling and a good oil yield can be obtained. Oil yield in both solvent extraction and manual pressing is high when the particle size is small and also when the seed particles are subjected to heat. However, cost of solvent extraction and the risk of operation are the limiting factors.