Rice bran, a potential source of biodiesel production in Indonesia
Biodiesel is a biodegradable, renewable, non-toxic and environmentally friendly alternative fuel. The cost
of raw materials comprises 60–88% of the production cost in commercial biodiesel (fatty acid methyl
esters, FAMEs) production. Therefore, the use of low-cost raw material as a substrate and an in situ
process for biodiesel production are being preferred. In this case, rice bran, which contains 13.5% oil, was
an interesting substrate. In situ esterification of high-acidity rice bran with methanol and sulfuric acid
catalystwasinvestigated. The individual and interaction effects of methanol to rice bran ratio, sulfuric acid
catalyst concentration and reaction time on purity and recovery of biodiesel were discussed. Our results
suggest that under the following operation conditions: methanol to rice bran ratio of 5 mL/g, sulfuric
acid concentration in methanol of 1.5 vol.%, and reaction time of 60 min, an in situ esterification operated
on rice bran could yield FAMEs with a high purity and recovery. By applying an in situ esterification
with n-hexane/water extractions, Indonesia will be succesfull in obtaining biodiesel from rice bran up to
96,000 ton per year