Characterization of Malaysian Jatropha Seed Oil and Discovering the Process of Powdered Jatropha Leaves

Abstract

Wax deposition is the main flow assurance problem that affects the oil and gas industry at various points of oil transport, hence a solution is being sought. The aim of this paper is to establish a solution using Jatropha curcas seed oil (JSO) from Malaysia and its sustainability as a wax inhibitor component. Extraction of JSO was carried out using a Soxhlet extractor and n-Hexane solvent. Characterization of JSO by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to identify the components of JSO and their functional groups. GC–MS analysis showed that oleic acid was the major component of JSO with 44.91%. FTIR analysis showed the presence of ester fatty acid groups at a peak of 1746.48 cm−1. The analysis revealed that the high content of oleic acid in JSO has great potential as a wax inhibitor to mitigate paraffin wax deposition and improve the flowability of crude oil. This research was extended by the discovery of the process of powdered Jatropha leaves, which have the potential as a wax inhibitor.