The Jatropha press - the key to sustainable sef-sufficient fuel supply

IN the early days of Jatropha experimentation in Mali, in the 1990ies, the Sundara press was imported from Nepal. Originally designed as a sesame seed press, it gave good results. However, it was expensive to import, no technical expertise existed in Mali for repairs or spare parts and this posed problems to overall sustainability of Jatropha technology in the region. 

MFC's first project in the field of Jatropha, SEAF (Sustainable Energy Advisory Facility, a UNEP initiative - see link) included a component for technology transfer to produce the press locally in Mali. THe press is now available to order from the factory.

It is a screw press, driven be a drive belt connected to the engine. It produces the oil from Jatropha seeds, which can be used as fuel in the engine after sedimentation and decantation. Around 10% of oil pressed is fed back into the engine.