Feature: Castor oil to run vehicles? That's what Jamaica is trying to do

If you're a true Trini you know what Castor oil can do. But have you ever thought that the same oil could fuel your car?

That might happen soon if a research project in Jamaica proves that it is a viable biofuel.

The research partnership agreement is for a small scale biodiesel pilot project that will use Jamaican oilseed bearing plants, jatropha and castor, to produce fuel.

It involves the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica’s Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy (PCJ’s CERE) and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

In addition the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is investing US$50,000 in the project.

Jatropha is an oilseed-bearing tree that grows on marginal lands in tropical and sub-tropical regions. When the seeds are crushed, the oil derived from it can be processed to produce a high-quality biodiesel fuel used in standard cars. Castor is an oilseed plant, also used as a laxative, which can produce biodiesel from the castor oil.

Acting Group Managing Director at the PCJ, Nigel Morgan, hopes the partnership will help Jamaica to forge ahead with its development of biofuels and, by extension, its energy diversification.

He said that because of the country’s dependence on oil, it must remain committed to diversifying “the energy mix”, using feasible and economical natural resources.

Acting Manager at CERE, Denise Tulloch, said the PCJ will invest 60 per cent of the funding, while and CARDI will provide the remaining 40 per cent in “kind” support. PCJ has already procured plant seeds from Brazil, India, China as well as Jamaica.

CARDI would be providing the six acres of land needed to grow the plants for the project, as well as provide technical assistance. The project is expected to run from February 2011 to January 2014.

The research and development phase of the project will involve the cultivation and harvesting of six varieties of the oil nuts, to determine their oil content, harvesting potential and relative productivity. The oil nuts will be cultivated on mined-out bauxite lands.

Jamaica has made some strides in the biofuels industry in recent years with the successful introduction of ethanol into the fuel mix, and with E10 87 and E10 90 octane gasoline being sold at service stations.

Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning diesel replacement fuel made from natural, renewable, agricultural resources and, like petroleum diesel, can operate in combustion-ignited engines, including cars, trucks, heavy equipment and boats.