Thermal Cracking of Jatropha Oil with Hydrogen to Produce Bio-Fuel Oil

This study used thermal cracking with hydrogen (HTC) to produce bio-fuel oil (BFO) from jatropha oil (JO) and to improve its quality. We conducted HTC with different hydrogen pressures ( P H2 ; 0–2.07 MPa or 0–300 psig), retention times ( t r ; 40–780 min), and set temperatures ( T C ; 623–683 K). By applying HTC, the oil molecules can be hydrogenated and broken down into smaller molecules. The acid value ( AV ), iodine value, kinematic viscosity ( KV ), density, and heating value ( HV ) of the BFO produced were measured and compared with the prevailing standards for oil to assess its suitability as a substitute for fossil fuels or biofuels. The results indicate that an increase in P H2 tends to increase the AV and KV while decreasing the HV of the BFO. The BFO yield ( Y BFO ) increases with P H2 and t r . The above properties decrease with increasing T C . Upon HTC at 0.69 MPa (100 psig) H 2 pressure, 60 min time, and 683 K temperature, the Y BFO was found to be 86 wt%. The resulting BFO possesses simulated distillation characteristics superior to those of boat oil and heavy oil while being similar to those of diesel oil. The BFO contains 15.48% light naphtha, 35.73% heavy naphtha, 21.79% light gas oil, and 27% heavy gas oil and vacuum residue. These constituents can be further refined to produce gasoline, diesel, lubricants, and other fuel products.