Abstract:
Biodiesel was obtained from crude and refined rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seed oil (RSO) by transesterification using different catalysts: sodium hydroxide (1), sodium metal (2), sulphuric acid (3), phosphoric acid (4), clay acid (5) and alkaline (6) activated. The yield, physico-chemical and fuel properties of the biodiesel were determined. The physico-chemical and fuel properties were compared to that of the commercial diesel fuel. The methyl ester yield from the crude RSO were in the order of III>IV>II>V>VI>I and that of the refined oil were of the order: II>I>III>IV>VI>V. On a general note, sample I formulated from the crude RSO which is sodium hydroxide catalyzed gave the least yield of 15% while sample II formulated from the refined RSO which is sodium metal catalyzed gave the highest yield of 92.1%. Comparative analyses of the properties of the biodiesel to that of commercial diesel fuel showed that transesterification improved the fuel properties of the oil. The viscosity, %free fatty acid values were reduced, while the calculated fuel potential increased. Other fuel properties were found to be in accordance with the ASTM standards.
S.O. Omorogbe, E.U. Ikhuoria, A.I. Aigbodion, E.O. Obazee and V.M. Momodu, 2013. Production of Rubber Seed Oil Based Biodiesel Using Different Catalysts. Current Research in Chemistry, 5: 11-18.
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