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Jatropha World Americas 2009 provides preconference video
Added 329 days ago - As part of preconference initiatives of the 2nd Jatropha World Americas 2009 conferences, the Center for Management Technology has released a free presentation given by jatropha expert William Nolten, in which he shares his research on the utilization of jatropha meal and residues to produce biofuels and other products while taking advantage of the entire plant.
During the presentation "Utilization Technology of Jatropha Seedcake and Residues,” Nolten discusses strategies to make growing jatropha economically feasible during the first three years, beginning with less dense planting and intercropping, in order to generate income for the farmers while continuing to maintain the fields. After one year, and again at eighteen months, pruning and plant density increases begin to generate more income from jatropha.
Needed nutrients can be easily fulfilled in years one to three by recycling the organic matter residues such as leaves back to the plants, according to Nolten. “Depending on soil conditions, excess organic matter can be traded as organic fertilizer and/or to the pharmaceutical industry,” he said, emphasizing that large amounts of salt and fertilizers are needed.
Nolten said the organic residue resulting from the harvesting of jatropha plants—the fruit shell, seed husk and kernel—constitutes 86 percent of the plant’s mass, compared to 14 percent in pure plant oil extracted, and could be used in anaerobic digesters to convert into energy. Jatropha meal has a high calorific value due to higher methane content when digested, about 60 percent higher than cow manure, according to Nolten. “Coverting jatropha cake into biogas for electricity is highly attractive and per kilowatt hour significant less costly as from pure plant oil,” he said.
Nolten discusses a number of other jatropha-related topics, including the potential use of jatropha in animal feed and medicinal applications, and the potential use of seed kernel meal as livestock feed ingredients and in medicinal applications.
The 2nd Jatropha World Americas 2009 will be held in Miami, Fla., on June 10 and 11.
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