Validation of Optimal Conditions of the Functional Properties of Rubber Seed Oil-Derived Biodiesel

As a result of cost, environmental impact and fear of sustainability of petroleum products, various alternatives for energy have been sourced out, of which biodiesel is seen as the closest. Rubber seed oil has been a viable source for biodiesel production because it is not edible. This oil was used in this work to produce biodiesel and the functional properties which are the cetane number, kinematic viscosity and yield were optimized. Response surface methodology is one of the tools used for the simulation and optimization of biodiesel production process. Thirty (30) experiments were carried out in the lab using experimental process design for the trans-esterification process via CCD. A parametric study of the process parameters involved in the trans-esterification reaction showed that the output responses which were yield, kinematic viscosity and cetane number had greater dependence on the methanol to oil ratio, reaction time and reaction temperature than on catalyst concentration. Optimal prediction of the output responses using numerical optimization techniques were obtained at a reaction time of 151 min, reaction temperature of 48.98 or 49 degrees C, methanol to oil ratio of 8.27:1 and catalyst concentration of 1.2%. Validation experiments carried out in the laboratory using the optimal parameters showed that the predicted and actual values gotten from the experiment were in close interaction. A comprehensive analysis was carried out on the rubber oil derived biodiesel produced in the laboratory for its physiochemical and fuel properties (acid value, iodine value, peroxide value, viscosity, saponification value. Results revealed that the biodiesel obtained can be used to supplement petro diesel by blending in suitable ratios.