OPTIMIZATION STUDIES ON POST BLENDING OF CRUDE PALM AND RUBBER SEED OIL FATTY ACID METHYL ESTERS

In avoiding the major issues of fossil fuel depletion and the environmental concerns,
biodiesel is one of the most feasible sources of alternative energy. Rubber seeds, due
to its non-edible characteristics have a potential to be converted to biodiesel. Its
utilization will help to resolve food versus fuel controversy. Malaysia has a vast
number of palm and rubber plantations that can supply sufficient seeds for biodiesel
production. In present work, parametric studies and optimized conditions were
determined via response surface methodology (RSM), using the central composite
design (CCD) of the Design Expert 8.0 software. The parameters studied for solvent
extraction of rubber seeds were solvent to seed ratio, temperature, extraction time and
drying time of the seeds. A parametric study was also conducted to determine the
effect of alcohol to oil (A:0) ratio, catalyst loading, reaction time and temperature on
acid esterification and base transesterification process.