PRODUCTION OF BIO-DIESEL FUELS BY TRANSESTERIFICATION OF RICE BRAN OIL

Transesterification of rice bran oil was investigated to produce the b io-diesel oil. Experimental conditions included molar ratio of rice br an oil to alcohol (1:3, 1:5 and 1:7), concentration of catalyst used ( 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt%), types of catalysts (sodium methoxide, NaOH and KOH), reaction temperatures (30, 45 and 60 degrees C) and types of alc ohols (methanol, ethanol and butanol). The conversion of rice bran oil increased with the alcohol mixing ratio and with the reaction tempera ture. Sodium methoxide was the most effective among the catalysts. The conversion was increased with the concentration of catalyst, but slig htly increased over 1.0 wt%. The best conversion was obtained using me thanol with sodium methoxide. In that case, 98% conversion was achieve d within 1 hr. The physical properties of rice bran oil for diesel fue l can be significantly improved by transesterification reaction.