JATROPHA PLANT & UoN THINKING

JATROPHA PLANT, THE TRUTH BEHIND

This is attracting the world’s eye toward the nearest renewable energy sources to quench the rising energy consumption which is posing new challenges to both local and national governments worldwide. We cannot overemphasise the urgency, but of more significance is the issue of environmental-friendliness. The latter being given more weight, the focus towards bio-fuels is particularly intensified

Snippets

1. Bio-energy is the only promising avenue unless we want to continue committing the grave error—philistine pollution.
2. Attaining energy security means we can not only unchain ourselves from dependence on fossil fuels but also realise environmental security and a whole assemblage of other principal development and poverty alleviation goals.
3. It is indeed in line with green technology tune of obtaining fuels that endeavours to eliminate dangerous climate changes and above all strive to reduce dependency on imported oil.
4. Jatropha is drought resistant and less attacked by pests; therefore it can be intercropped easily
5. ‘B” factor, the amount of biodiesel in any fuel mix guides the significance.

Energy is the centre-point of any developing or developed country. Speak of energy, and suddenly auto-mobile and other oil-consuming machineries roll into big picture. The availability of oil, the substantial fossil fuel of the past millennium, is peaking, and consequently its production declining in an alarming rate. This is attracting the world’s eye toward the nearest renewable energy sources to quench the rising energy consumption which is posing new challenges to both local and national governments worldwide. We cannot overemphasise the urgency, but of more significance is the issue of environmental-friendliness. The latter being given more weight, the focus towards bio-fuels is particularly intensified

The future argues that bio-energy is the only promising avenue unless we want to continue committing the grave error—philistine pollution. The advent of world Biosystems heralded the much awaited bio-energy, bio-fuel, bio-diesel just but naming a few. And now a new day has finally come for the likes of soy-beans, rape seeds, mustard, flux, croton and jatropha plants to have their say towards energy security. Remember, if we attain energy security, ladies and gentlemen, we cannot only unchain ourselves from dependence on fossil fuels but also realise environmental security and a whole assemblage of other principal development and poverty alleviation goals.

What is Biofuel?

Bio-fuel, according to Biamah Elijah, Professor in the department of Environmental & Biosystems Engineering, is a solid, liquid or gas fuel that is fashioned organically from biomass by a process called trans-esterification. It is indeed in line with green technology tune of obtaining fuels that endeavours to eliminate dangerous climate changes, attempts to salvage the current economic slow-down, and above all strive to reduce dependency on imported oil. Since bio-fuel production can be implemented anywhere and does not require any special rig, its easy execution processing caters for the following demands and opportunities:-

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->An option to the depleting oil reserves

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->Reduction of our foreign exchange by cutting on import costs of oil

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Deter climate change and global warming due to carbon dioxide and other dangerous pollutants due to fossil fuels.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->Discover and nurture highly-yielding crops that generate highest bio-energy density

Jatropha in the Spotlight

Following a cyclic see-saw by engineers and scientists over the outstanding bio-plant(s), the jatropha tribe took the standing ovation.

This is a special and simple plant which, due to its enormous interest, balances the equation of biodiesel production all in all.

Jatropha is being hailed by all and sundry as a potentially ideal candidate for future Biofuels; and as the only option for Kenya. Let’s imagine like this, suppose we preserve Mau complex for jatropha planting all in a bid to protect and conserve the dear environment, don’t you think this would be a stitch in time: increased vegetation, increased energy! The key is in growing the jatropha to be used as a bio fuel. Once dried out and crushed, the seeds yield oil which can be burnt in almost any diesel engine—with little or no modification. Just as simple as that. More importantly, the plant attraction lies in the fact that it can grow anywhere, even in the poorest soil like in Ukambani-land, needs a very little water to survive and will yield seeds for more than half a century. Good people, what are we waiting for?

The Poison Plant, the Antidote to Desecrated Planet

With the help of Biamah, the Environmental Engineers together with their counterparts from mechanical Engineering, have something in common, something special for Kenya: cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel.

As a good kick-off, the department of Environmental Engineering has secured a land with the help of professor, and by the end of this November a thousand of jatropha tress shall be planted.

In India itself, as we speak, has already planted over 11 million hectares. Other countries like Gran Chaco of Paraguay, Mali, Brazil and Singapore are already enjoying the sweet fruits of their sweat clean energy.

Jatropha is just one of a number of possible biofuel plants. However, the elegance is that jatropha is drought resistant and less attacked by pests; therefore it can be intercropped easily with other cash crops such as coffee, sugar, fruits and vegetables without much misery. It doesn’t require a lot of fertiliser yet the yield is higher: Ranging from 1,600—2, 000 kg/ha, which correspond to extractable oil yields of 550—680 litres per hectare.

Its characteristic toxicity is advantageous too. With its deadly inedible seeds and the irritating milky sap from the bark, jatropha is put at a pedestal where no competition of other demands. What’s more, like any other plant, jatropha absorbs carbon dioxide while they are growing, effectively cancelling out the carbon dioxide emitted in the biosphere and cryosphere.

Environmental Arguments

Bio-diesel, ideally made by chemically reacting lipid (jatropha oil) with an alcohol, does not emit carbon or other gaseous emissions that are responsible for global warming. When burnt, the paraffin/diesels release carcinogenic toxins such as benzene, toluene, formal dehyde, acetaldehyde, acrotein and soot into the air; as for bio fuel it’s environmentally safer for ozone protection and use in industrial development. Biodiesel has virtually no sulphur or lead content. And, we shall be good to go the extra mile to allow developing countries like us to be self-reliant rather than depend on Middle East for imports.

By use of a system known as ‘B” factor, the amount of biodiesel in any fuel mix can be stated easily. For instance B20 is fuel containing 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel, while B100 is pure biodiesel. B20 can be used in unmodified diesel engines, but B100 require specific engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems. Biodiesel has different solvent properties than petro diesel, and will degrade gaskets, require change of fuel filters on engines, use of FKM after switching to biodiesel blend.

ALPHONCE M. MAGATI