Hello Mike Redler. That crop is like a big bush, in this subtropical country it grows like a weed (no insecticides needed) but it needs a fertile dirt, water and a half-squared meter for its deep roots. I does not climbs, more likely it can be used for the urban farmer as a shadow for parking lots if they are planted in groups. It was discussed the production of biodiesel from castor and Keith sent to the list the following message that has many links. Best Regards.
Juan Boveda Paraguay ---------------- -----original----- From: Keith Addison [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 3/30/ 2006 5:38 For: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Seeking experience to produce biodiesel from Castor >Anyone care to share any experiences with castor oil based biodiesel >brewing using small-scale plants? I am told that castor oil dissolves >in alcohols and external heating is eliminated from the process. I'm >also hearing conjectures that castor based biodiesel will not freeze >even below -20 deg C. Any pointers to more specific info along these lines? > >I'll get to my own brewing/learning experiments soon (and I'll start >with proven processes and materials described on J2FE), but we could do >with as much existing wisdom as we can get our hands on, especially >because what we want to get into out here is not only for our personal >consumption. Many thanks in advance for any help. > >Chandan Hi Chandan I can't share any experience of using castor oil but I can offer some information which might help. It's been discussed a few times before, I think other list members may have direct experience of it. List archives: http://snipurl.com/oeit Search results for 'castor' The one disadvantage mentioned, that I haven't seen an answer to, was that crushing the seeds creates a seriously bad odour, enough to put people off. Also the cake is poinsonous, but James Duke says: "Although it is highly toxic due to the ricin, a method of detoxicating the meal has now been found, so that it can safely be fed to livestock." http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Ricinus_communis.html Ricinus communis The toxic principle is water-soluble so is not found in the oil. It's also said to be a drying oil, the equal of tung oil, yet it has a much lower Iodine Value, though Iodine Value is quite a crude indicator of whether oils will polymerise or not and castor oil seems to be an exception. On the other hand it has a longstanding reputation of being an excellent motor oil. This is an informative website about castor oil, and biodiesel generally: http://www.castoroil.in/uses/fuel/castor_oil_fuel.html Castor Oil as Biofuel & Biodiesel - Info, WWW Resources on Castoroil as Bio-fuel, Bio-diesel Others: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/castor.html Castorbeans http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Ricinus+communis Ricinus communis http://snipurl.com/oeiu The Hindu Business Line : Gujarat Oleo Chem bags Rs 25-cr biodiesel order from IOC Gujarat Oleo Chem bags Rs 25-cr biodiesel order from IOC Mumbai , Aug 3 http://www.tierramerica.net/2003/0526/ianalisis.shtml Energy in a Castor Bean The castor-oil plant, ricinus communis, is the best source for creating "biodiesel", say Brazilian experts. http://www.allbusiness.com/periodicals/article/278737-1.html First electricity from castor oil: Patrick Knight reports on how the biodiesel industry in Brazil is taking off. From Oils & Fats International: Nov, 2004 issue Hope this helps. Best Keith ------------------------ From: Mike Redler [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 6/16/2006 10:59 For: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Subject: Re: [Biofuel] castorbeans I'm wondering if such an oil producing plant is a good candidate for the urban fuel farmer. More specifically, those who don't have a lot of land and would welcome a crop that climbs. ...just a thought. Mike Jason& Katie wrote: > i believe the fruits all ripen at once, or close to it, and it was just over > a week ago that i planted them(10 or 12 days) and YAY! i am thrilled ;) > > Jason > ICQ#: 154998177 > MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (most likely to get me) > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "lres1" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <biofuel@sustainablelists.org> > Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 8:43 PM > Subject: Re: [Biofuel] castorbeans > > > >> Good to hear of successes. Some questions and observations if you can >> help. >> >> Do the Castor seeds on the plant all ripen at one time? Have not had mine >> in >> long enough to know and using cuttings to speed up quantities for >> transplanting.Jatropha seeds do not all ripen at one time so >> picking/harvesting is or can be very labor intensive. How long did it take >> for your Castor beans to sprout all up? >> >> My Castor beans sprouted and grew. I then cut some of the branches and >> stuck >> them in compost and dirt mixed pots. Seems that most of the clippings are >> starting to sprout. Am not sure why but was told that this could not be >> done. Seems once the beans have sprouted, the clippings seem to grow >> quicker. 5 days to see the clippings developing new growth. >> >> Six days for the Jatropha to sprout from seeds and 17 days to see action >> or >> small signs of growth from Jatropha clippings. >> >> All good to see up and growing. Need to put more Castor clippings in pots >> ready for planting out. >> >> Doug >> >> [snip] >> _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
