Optimisation of biodiesel production from mixed <i>Sterculia foetida</i> and rice bran oil
Fitranto Kusumo, T.M.I. Mahlia, Abd Halim Shamsuddin, Abdul Rahim Ahmad, A.S. Silitonga, Surya Dharma, M. Mofijur, Fazril Ideris, Hwai Chyuan Ong, Rihat Sebayang, Jassinnee Milano, Masjuki Haji Hassan, M. Varman
Abstract
The present study is to investigate the feasibility of mixed non-edible oils, Sterculia foetida (SFO), and rice bran oil (RBO) for biodiesel production. The transesterification process variables of SFO50RBO50 as the suitable blend were optimised using response surface methodology. The optimum conditions of the transesterification process are as follow; KOH catalyst concentration of 0.7% wt, the ratio of methanol to oil of 42%, the reaction time of 50.64 min, resulted in the methyl ester yield of 98.93%. The result shows that the SF50RB50 methyl ester properties satisfy the biodiesel requirements laid in ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards.