Microwave assisted transesterification of rice bran oil

Abstract

Due to the tremendous demand and acute scarcity of fossil fuels, an attempt has been made to carry out the preparation of Bio Diesel from Rice Bran Oil. Now days, the use of microwave heating in reactions has gained much importance. So the effect of the microwave heating has been studied for the preparation of the Bio Diesel from Rice Bran Oil. The oil is reacted with commercial grade Methanol in the presence of Potassium hydroxide catalyst to undergo transesterification by operating the microwave at various powers from 160W to 800W. The Bio Diesel yield at various microwave input powers is compared. The rice bran oil and its bio diesel were analysed using Gas Chromatography and also their physical properties were determined by standard methods and compared to that of petroleum diesel. From the experimental results, it is observed that the maximum yield is obtained at the lowest input power of 160W. The yield decreases with increasing power and is least at 800W. The Rice Bran oil gave a maximum yield of 93.8%of methyl esters at the power of 160W. The properties of the Bio Diesel produced met all the specifications as specified by IS 15607: 2005.