Study On Production Process of Biodiesel from Rubber Seed (Hevea Brasiliensis) by In Situ Transesterification Method with Alkaline Catalyzed

Abstract

Biodiesel is methyl or ethyl fatty acids generated from vegetable oils (edible and non edible) or animal fats. Production of biodiesel from rubber seeds by in situ alkaline catalyzed method from non edible raw materials with a major goal for alternative fuels was studied. The objective of this research is to investigate the influence of reaction time, concentration of alkaline catalyst and ratio raw materials : methanol to the production of biodiesel. The first stage was carried out in order to get reaction time based on the density and viscosity of mixture. In this process, KOH 0.5% (w/v) was used as catalyst with the ratio rubber seed to methanol (1:2). Experiments followed by process with catalyst concentration variation in range 0.1-1% (w/v) and ratio rubber seed to methanol in range 1:1.5-1:3. Research method included, the preparation of samples, biodiesel production, biodiesel separation, and biodiesel characterization include density, viscosity, GC analysis, acid value and Iodine number. The results show that operation time for biodiesel production by using in situ method with alkaline catalyzed was 120 minutes and maximum yield of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) was obtained at 52.86%. Keywords: Biodiesel, rubber seed, in situ, (trans) esterification, Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME).