In this research work, biodiesel production by trans-esterification of three
raw materials including virgin and used edible oil and non edible oil has
been presented. A two step method following acidic and alkali catalyst was
used for non edible oil due to the unsuitability of using the straight
alkaline-catalyzed trans-esterification of high FFA present in rice bran
oil. The acid value after processing for rice bran, cottonseed and waste
cooking oil was found to be 0.95, 0.12 and 0.87 respectively. The influence
of three variables on percentage yield i.e., methanol to oil molar ratio,
reaction temperature and reaction time were studied at this stage.
Cottonseed oil, waste cooking oil and rice bran oil showed a maximum yield
of 91.7%, 84.1% and 87.1% under optimum conditions. Fuel properties of the
three biodiesel satisfied standard biodiesel fuel results
