Ghana

Exploring biodiesels for sustainable socio-economic development

Over the next two decades, global energy demand is expected to double, leading to higher fuel costs. At the same time, the production of more environmentally friendly fuels is still prohibitively expensive. Indeed, many fear that biofuel production from plant food such as corn may lead to high grain prices.

With this in mind, researchers sought to produce biodiesel fuel from waste cooking oil and Jatropha, a non-edible plant. Recycling waste oil would not only take advantage of a readily available resource, it would close the loop between farming, food production and waste generation. And since Jatropha thrives in non-arable environments, harvesting oil from this plant would mean less competition for arable land, meaning less impact on food prices.

The team achieved promising results. It was the first time the two-step esterification-trans-esterification of Jatropha oil, as well as the novel catalyst potassium carbonate, were used together to demonstrate a biodiesel yield of 94.8 percent. Similarly, it was the first time this novel catalyst was used in transesterification of waste vegetable oils to produce biodiesel with a yield of 95 percent.

While the team did not have sufficient time to evaluate biodiesel in engine performance, it did compare biofuel quality to fossil-based diesel and biodiesel–fossil diesel blend. It also began designing a biodiesel pilot plant in Ghana and exploring the feasibility of full-scale production. If a biodiesel plant proves feasible, the project may also generate jobs for low-income women to plant, harvest and process Jatropha oil.

Building on a prior working relationship, the lead researchers harnessed the talents of three Ghanaian graduate students — Patrick Boakye, Arnold Painsil and Maame Addai — who each developed theses around the work. The team has submitted two papers stemming from the project to academic journals. Furthermore, Mr. Boakye planned to pursue a PhD.

Working with the Faculty of Renewable Resources at KNUST, the team intends to share project results with the Government of Ghana. Armed with their convincing evidence, the researchers hope to convince the government to integrate biodiesel production into the national energy policy.