Greener Journal of Physical Sciences

Greener Journal of  Physical Sciences  Vol. 4 (3), pp. 038-044, April 2014.  

ISSN: 2276-7851 © 2011 Greener Journals

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 010814024

In Situ Transesterification of Rubber Seeds

(Hevea brasiliensis)

  

Bashir Abubakar Abdulkadir*, Wilson Danbature,

Fai Y. Yirankinyuki, Buhari Magaji and Muhammad M. Muzakkir

 

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gombe State University, Gombe Nigeria.

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: bashirabubakar80@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT:

Biodiesel is a methyl or ethyl fatty acid esters formed by transesterifying vegetable oils (both edible and non edible) or animal fats. In this research, biodiesel is produced by in-situ transesterification (direct transesterification) method from the seeds of rubber tree using KOH as a catalyst. The influence of methanol to seeds ratio, reaction time, temperature and catalyst concentration was investigated. Important properties of biodiesel such as free fatty acid (FFA), viscosity, pour point, density etc were also investigated. The result shows that the best ratio of seeds to methanol was 1:6 (10 g seeds with 60 g methanol), 120 minutes reaction time at 60°C reaction temperature and catalyst concentration of 2.5 g. The maximum yield obtain was 74.5%. This study supports the production of biodiesel from the rubber seeds using direct transesterifcation method from the seeds as an alternative to diesel fuel.

 

Keywords: Biodiesel, Viscosity, FAME, Free fatty acid, In situ, Rubber seeds.

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