Climate change in todays world has become a major issue with the increased burning of fossil fuels and hence the increase in carbon emmissions. This perception has produced a greater need for sustainable energy sources. The biofuel industry offers a renewable carbon neutral alternative. Plants that contain high oil contents can be used to provide energy sources that can replace fossil fuels. Biofuel refineries are emerging all around the world at a rapid rate and their main feedstock is food based products. As the population of the planet steadily increases, these biofuel refineries will be competing for feedstock and agricultural land. The importance of inedible biofuel feedstock is rapidly becoming apparent. More importantly, inedible biofuel feedstock that can be grown on marginal land.

To date Arbour Technologies Pty Ltd have sourced elite genetics from two biofuel genera Genus Jatropha and Pongamia, both of which suit the emerging necessities of the biofuel markets.

Jatropha

Description

Jatropha curas
North Queensland


Jatropha curas leaf



Jatropha curas mid vein

The botanical name Jatropha is derived from Greek "Jatras" meaning Doctor and "trophe" meaning nutrition. Jatropha is a diverse genus consisting of ~175 species, ranging from large trees to small shrubs. Of the Jatropha genus, Jatropha curas has been of main interest to the biodiesel industry. Jatropha curas is a relatively fast growing shrub which is reported to produce seeds for up to 50 years. This being said, Jatropha curas found growing in North Queensalnd Australia is reported to be over 100 years old and still flowering, producing seed. The seeds from Jatropha curcas can have an oil content of up to 38% and can be used as a fuel source without refining. Jatropha curas has a smooth grey bark which extrudes a whitish coloured watery latex when wounded. It grows between 3-5 metres but can obtain greater heights under favourable conditions. It has large green to pale green leaves, alternate to sub-opposite, 3 - 5 lobed with a spiral phylotaxis. Jatropha plants bear male and female flowers on the same plants, termed monecious. The female flowers have elliptic 3-celled, triovulate ovaries with 3 spreading bifurcate stigmata. The seed capsules can be upto 5cm long containing 3 seeds per capsule. Jatropha curas contains 22 chromosomes per diploid somatic cell.

Distribution

Originally Jatropha curas was distributed in the Caribean, South America and Africa although its exact origins are still unclear. Today Jatropha can be found in most tropical and subtropical climates of the world after it was spread to regions like Asia through Portuguese traders. Jatropha can grow on just about any type of soil ranging from lush tropics through to marginal desert. It can even grow in the crevices of rocks.

Uses

Jatropha curas oil has desirable physiochemical and performance characteristics as comparable to diesel. The oil is used as an illuminant without being refined and burns with a clean smoke free flame. The oil has very high saponification value and has been extensively used for making soaps in some countries. It is also used as an external application for skin diseases and sores for domestic live stock. The bark of Jatropha curas yields a dark blue dye which is used for the colouring of clothes and various other things. Jatropha oil cake is high in nitrogen, phosphorus and pottassium which can be used for an organic fertiliser. Oil from Jatropha seeds can be as much as 40%, containing no sulfur. 1 Hectare of jatropha curas, irrigated and planted at 2m x 2m spacings, is reported to produce 1200 kg of seed, giving over 1600 L of oil/Hectare.

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Pongamia

Description

Pongamia leaf

Pongamia pinnata is known by many names including Karanga and Hongii. Australia has a natualised version originally called Pongamia, but has recently been renamed Mellitia pinnata by some botanists. Pongamia is a very large nitrogen fixing tree which can grow upto 40 feet high. The trunk is generally short with thick branches spreading into a dense hemispherical crown of dark green leaves. The bark is thin gray to grayish- brown, and yellow on the inside.The taproot is thick and long; lateral roots are numerous and well developed. The alternate, compound pinnate leaves consist of 5 or 7 leaflets which are arranged in 2 or 3 pairs, and a single terminal leaflet. Leaflets are 5-10 cm long, 4-6 cm wide, and pointed at the tip. Flowers, borne on racemes, are pink, light purple, or white. Pods are elliptical, 3-6 cm long and 2-3 cm wide, thick walled, and usually contain a single seed. Seeds are 1-2 cm long, and light brown in color. Typically 45% of a dry seed contains oil perfectly suited for making biodiesel.

Distribution

It is thought Pongamia originated from India and has since been naturalised throughout Asian tropical and sub-tropical regions.Pongamia can grow on most soil types ranging from stony to sandy to clay. It does not do well on dry sands. It is highly tolerant of salinity. It is common along waterways or seashores, with its roots in fresh or salt water. Highest growth rates are observed on well drained soils with adequate moisture.

Uses

Like Jatropha, the oil from Pongamia seeds are perfectly suited for the production of biodiesel. Unlike Jatropha, Pongamia grows into a very large tree giving the Genus extra qualities. Large trees alow for mechanical harvesting much like a macadamia tree farm, and these large trees create an added advantage of a large carbon sink. By using large plantations of Pongamia for the production of biodiesel, more carbon will be fixed than will be used for the production of fuel. This would make a biodiesel operation that would be carbon negative.

Go back to Biofuel Species introduction.