Use of jatropha oil in engine

The direct use of raw jatropha oil in engine by several researchers and they reported formation of carbon deposits, incomplete combustions and results in reducing the life of an engine due to high viscosity of curcas oil. Similar problems reported by many researchers when they using raw vegetable oils as engine fuel. When using refined curcas oil blends in precombustion chamber engine, results for thermal efficiency and emission were fair compared with diesel No.2 diesel. The problems of filter blockage, carbon deposits and oil incompatibility with fuel line materials were also noticed. It is also reported that jatropha oil blending up to 40 to 50 per cent with diesel fuel used in engine without modifications. However, Acrolein is high toxic substance released from the engine due to thermal decomposition of glycerol present in the oils. The problems encountered in raw oils are solved by forming biodiesel, which is non toxic, eco-friendly fuel, and have similar properties of diesel fuel.