Algerian Potential of Biodiesel Production from Vegetable Oils: Jatropha Curcas and Olive Pomace Feedstocks

In light of the economic crisis in the world now, the increasing demand for fossil fuels has become harmful to the environment, so it is necessary to find more effective alternative fuels with less harmful effects on the environment. Biodiesel is a fuel that may be produced from the organic wastes of edible, non-edible, microbial, and waste oils. In this paper, we study using two different feedstocks for producing biodiesel, Jatropha Curcas L. and olive pomace. In particular, we discuss the feasibility, availability, and capacity of sustainable biodiesel production in Algeria. Regarding the use of Jatropha Curcas L. as a feedstock, we show that Algeria has great potential, suitable climate, large uncultivated lands, and unexploited treated and untreated wastewater. All of these conditions are ideal to cultivate Jatropha Curcas L. and produce biodiesel with good quality and properties. We found that if Algeria cultivates the same area as Indonesia, China, Brazil, or Tanzania, then 2.3%, 2.7%, 0.27%, or 0.23% of half of the total annual diesel consumption will be produced. The other feedstock studied in this paper is olive pomaces resulting from the production of olive oil. Algeria is one of the Mediterranean countries with a significant production of olive oil. We show that the 2022 estimated waste from this industry, approximately 162.000 tons of olive pomace, will produce 0.24% of the total annual diesel consumption in Algeria.