Optimization and Comparison of Catalysts in Rubber Seed Oil-Based Biodiesel Production

This study investigates the production of biodiesel from rubber seed oil using two different catalysts and compares the resulting fuel properties. Rubber seed oil was selected as the biofuel feedstock, and the process involved acid esterification followed by transesterification. Acid esterification effectively reduced the free fatty acid content of the oil, enabling efficient transesterification that produced biodiesel and glycerol as by-products. The manufacturing process was modelled using DWSIM chemical simulation software, with flow diagrams developed to analyze and compare performance outcomes. Catalysts such as NaOH and KOH were evaluated for their effectiveness in biodiesel production, and their influence on fuel properties was examined. Based on simulation results, the most suitable catalyst for biodiesel manufacturing was identified, highlighting the potential of rubber seed oil as a viable feedstock for sustainable fuel production.