Improvement of Methyl Ester Production through Modified Rice Bran as a Heterogeneous Catalyst

The present research investigates the impact assessment of modified rice bran as a heterogeneous catalyst, and also production of biodiesel from rice bran oil (RBO). Several variables including temperature, catalyst concentration, amount of methanol, and reaction time were optimized in order to produce high quality RBO biodiesel with maximum yield. The results showed that the obtained conditions for trans-esterification of RBO with methanol and carbon-based acidic heterogeneous catalyst were 65 °C reaction temperature, 6 h reaction time, 10:1 molar ratio of RBO to methanol and 1.5% (w/w) catalyst. The rice bran oil methyl ester produced could be used as a fuel in engines. Considering the availability and renewability, methyl ester rice bran can be easily produced in large quantities as a sustainable and reliable energy resource for multi-functional applications.