Comparative analysis of rubber seed methyl ester with other methyl esters.

Abstract

This study was carried out to compare the physico-chemical properties of rubber seed methyl ester with other methyl esters of non-edible oil. In order to achieve a two-step transesterification process was developed to convert rubber seed oil to its methyl esters. The first step, acid catalyzed esterification reduces the (free fatty acid) FFA content of the oil to ~1%. The second step, alkaline catalyzed transesterification process converts the products of the first step to its mono-esters and glycerol. The free fatty acid composition and the important properties of rubber seed oil with other oils determined. The important properties of biodiesel such as specific gravity, flash point, cloud point and pour point were determined and compared with that of diesel. Other properties such as kinematic viscosity sulphur content, Aniline point and Acid value of rubber seed methyl ester were deduced and compared with other methyl esters. From the results obtained, the transesterification process was found to improve the fuel properties of the oil with respect to specific gravity, viscosity, flash point and acid value. The comparison of these properties with diesel shows that the methyl ester from rubber seed oil has a relatively close fuel propety values to that of diesel,making it a viable alternative to the diesel fuel.

KEYWORDS: Rubber seed oil, methyl Ester, Transesterification, Comparative