PEMBUATAN METIL ESTER (BIODIESEL) DARI MINYAK DEDAK DAN METANOL DENGAN PROSES ESTERIFIKASI DAN TRANSESTERIFIKASI

Abstract

High Free fatty acid (FFA) content in rice bran oil can be converted into the Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (biodiesel) by esterification and transesterification process. The objectives of this research was to use rice bran as raw material for biodiesel production by esterification and transesterification process, studying the influence of time and temperature on the esterification process, and the influence of time and concentration of catalyst in the transesterification process. The method used to create methyl ester (biodiesel) in this research is the esterification followed by transesterification. To get the rice bran oil,done by rice bran extraction process using methanol as a solvent, then in the process of esterification of rice bran oil added H2SO4 catalyst, the objectives of esterification process in this research is to convert free fatty acids into methyl ester. After esterification, followed by transesterification to convert triglycerides into methyl esters (biodiesel) by adding NaOH in accordance with the variables as a neutralizing and catalyst. The constant variable used in the esterification process is the amount of catalyst H2SO4 1% v/v, while in the process of transesterification is the operating temperature of 60 oC. The manipulated variable in the esterification process is a time of esterification 60; 75; 90; 105; 120 minutes and the operating temperature of 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 oC, while the transesterification process is the time for operation 60; 75; 90; 105; 120 minutes and amount of catalyst 1,5; 1,75; 2; 2,25; 2,5% w/w. In this research, esterification and transesterification rice bran oil can produce 84.93% methyl ester, the largest component of methyl ester biodiesel are methyl oleate 60.61%, the optimum esterification time to 2 produce methyl esters (biodiesel) is 60 minutes and the optimum temperature is 60 oC, then optimum transesterification time is 120 minutes with the catalyst concentration of NaOH 1.75% w/w.