Small scale energy sources and plants:Bio-fuel

Jatropha plant. Image credit jatropha.org.za

• is a fuel that is produced through contemporary biological processes,
• such as agriculture and anaerobic digestion,
• rather than a fuel produced by geological processes such as those involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum, from prehistoric biological matter
• Biofuels can be derived directly from plants, or indirectly from agricultural, commercial, domestic, and/or industrial wastes
• Zimbabwe once tried implement  bio-diesel projects from the seed of the Jatropha plant which grows naturally in some parts of the country.
• The Jatropha plant grows extensively in Mutoko, Mudzi, Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe among others.
• It has also been introduced in other parts of the country.
• One tonne of the Jatropha seed can produce 400 litres of bio-fuel.
• The project was coordinated by the Industrial Development Corporation, the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe and the Scientific and Industrial Research Development Centre.
• The production of bio-diesel from the Jatropha seed produces by-products such as glycerine which can be used in soap-making and also a residue that can be used as organic fertilizer.
• Although the Jatropha plant is extensively known for its medicinal value, its bark also contains tannin which can be used as a dye in the textile and leather industries.
• The project has failed due to corruption, lack of funds, disorganization and lack of consistent clear goals
• Bio-fuel is used in other parts of the world such as Brazil were it has had better success
• Here sugarcane is used to make ethanol
• The ethanol is then used to power cars and other machinery
• In Zimbabwe ethanol production in the Loweveld is also used as a fuel
• Unlike in Brazil where pure ethanol is used the ethanol is mostily blended with petrol
• The fuel is then used to power cars and other machinary
• An example of indirect bio-fuel production in Zimbabwe
• is when molasses and other waste is used to heat water into steam
• This is then used to generate electricity at Hippo Valley
• The electricity produced is used to meet the needs of Hippo Valley and surrounding communities

To access more topics go to the O Level Geography Notes page