Costa Rica takes a leading role in the development of clean energy biofuels

The Costa Rica Seed Company has achieved great success in 2008 and has established itself as Jatropha Biofuel leaders in North and Central America. The 80 hectare R &D Jatropha Planatation has captured world wide attention, recognized as one of if not the most advanced plantation in the Americas.

They have also identified one of the most potent strain of Jatropha seed known, with 42% oil content.

Goldman Sachs recently cited Jatropha curcas as one of the best candidates for future biodiesel production. Many alternative Bio Diesel fuels have been shown to improve exhaust emissions than traditional Diesel fuel.

Jatropha Bio diesel holds promise as fuel alternatives in diesel engine development continues. Research has shown that jatropha bio diesel properties are of the highest grade. Improves engine performance, is very similar to diesel fossil fuel.

Bio Diesel is non toxic, bio degradable and a renewable fuel. Bio diesel performs better than Petroleum diesel, reduces serious air pollutants such as particulates, carbon monoxides, hydrocarbons and air toxins. Mutagencity studies show that bio diesel dramatically reduces potential risk of cancer and birth defects. Biodiesel is about 5% to 8% less energy dense than petroleum diesel, but has greater lubrication properties and higher combustion rate which is leading overall to a fuel efficiency of approximately 2% higher than petroleum diesel.

All very good news for Bio Diesel but critics have taken issue with biofuels, which they say could drive expanded deforestation, or would compete with food commodities, raising food prices across the board — particularly for poor families and poor communities.

Supporters of bio-fuels say that they are committed to using sustainable biofuels that do not threaten food supplies for land or water as part of their alternative fuel tests.

Some in the aviation industry say they could one day be flying the biggest jets across the planet without contributing to climate change — using biofuels. A major part of the industry’s future carbon emissions reduction plans rely on the ability for aircraft to shift towards biofuels.

Air New Zealand has recently carried out a test flight using a blend of jatropha fuel and jet fuel.

The test was a success and the engine powered by the fuel mix performed well.

Using jatropha-based fuel still emits carbon dioxide, but the gas is typically recycled in the growing of the feedstock, so there is ostensibly no additional CO2 added to the atmosphere.

One of the vast advantages of biodiesel is the fact that it can be used in existing diesel engines without modification and can be blended in at any ratio with petroleum diesel.