Study on Production Process of Biodiesel from Rubber Seed (Hevea Brasiliensis) by in Situ (Trans)Esterification Method with Acid Catalyst

Biodiesel is fatty acid methyl or ethyl esters made from vegetable oils (edible and non edible) or animal fats. The objective of this research was to produce biodiesel from rubber seed by in situ method with acid catalyst with a goal for obtaining environmentally friendly alternative fuels from non edible raw material. This research focuses on influence of reaction time, concentration of acid catalyst and ratio raw material to methanol. The first stage was carried out in order to get reaction time based on the density and viscosity of mixture produced. In this process H2SO4 0.5% (v/v) was used as catalyst and ratio of raw material to methanol (1:2). The experiments were conducted by investigating the catalyst concentration in range 0.1-1%(v/v) and ratio of raw material to methanol in range 1:1.5-1:3. The research method included, the preparation of samples, biodiesel production, biodiesel separation, and biodiesel characterization i.e density, viscosity, GC analysis, acid value and Iodine number. The results shows that the operation time for biodiesel production by in situ method with acid catalyst was 120 minutes and the yield of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) obtained was at 91,05%.