Title : In-Situ extraction and (trans)esterification of high-free fatty acid rice bran oil using synthesized heterogeneous catalysts
Abstract:
Biodiesel is an emerging sustainable and clean alternative to conventional diesel fuel. This study presents a simultaneous extraction and (trans)esterification process for biodiesel production, where oil extraction and esterification occur in a single unit operation with alcohol serving as both extraction solvent and transesterification reagent. Rice Bran Oil (RBO), abundant in northern India and an agricultural waste, was used as feedstock. Two heterogeneous catalysts—Al-doped sulphated zirconia and sulphated carbonaceous catalysts— were synthesized and characterized with XRD, FESEM, and EDX. The process significantly reduces energy, time, and cost compared to conventional sequential methods, while achieving higher biodiesel yields. Optimum conditions were catalyst loading of 10 wt.%, hexane-to-methanol volumetric ratios of 70:30, and 4 hours reaction time, resulting in a free fatty acid reduction of up to 62.29% and enhanced fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield. This method addresses environmental concerns of agricultural waste management and offers a cost-effective, scalable approach for biodiesel production from high FFA feedstocks.
