Transformation of Jatropha oil to biofuel using transition metal salts as heterogeneous catalysts

Abstract In this study, Jatropha oil was catalytically cracked using Co(NO 3 ) 2 and Mn(NO 3 ) 2 as heterogeneous catalysts at different ratios of 0.5%–3% to obtain different grades of biofuel. The physical and fuel properties of the obtained biofuels were characterized by measuring the following properties: density, viscosity, specific gravity, pour point, flash and fire points, cetane number, carbon and ash residues and sulfur content. The determined properties were located within the limits of the specific standards of ASTM specifications. The type of transition metal and the ratio of the used catalysts were greatly affect the physical and fuel properties of the obtained biofuels. Comparing the reactivity of (Co(NO 3 ) 2 and Mn(NO 3 ) 2 ) as catalytic cracking catalysts revealed that Co(NO 3 ) 2 is more reactive than Mn(NO 3 ) 2 . Using of low catalysts ratio produced biofuel comparable to biodiesel according to ASTM specifications; while higher catalyst ratio produced biofuel comparable to bio-gasoline. Lighter fractions of the biofuel in the range of gasoline were produced at higher catalysts ratios and the optimum concentration was 3%. The reactivity of the two salts was discussed based on their electronic configurations.