Utilization of Kapok Seed as Potential Feedstock for Biodiesel Production NORAFNEEZA NORAZAHAR a , SUZANA YUSUP* a , MURNI M. AHMAD a , JUNAID AHMAD a , SULIANA ABU BAKAR a a Chemical Engineering Department, Green Technology Mission Oriented Research, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar, 31750 Tronoh, Perak, MALAYSIA *Corresponding Author: drsuzana_yusuf@petronas.com.my Abstract: - The huge development in industry and growth in population resulted in increase the demand of fuel. Now the fossil fuel depletion grabs the world’s attention towards renewable energy sources. Biodiesel is one of the alternatives due to environment friendly, free from sulfur and reduced carbon dioxide emission. The researcher explored a new non edible feedstock for the biodiesel production known as Kapok seed oil (Ceiba pentadra). The Kapok seed contains 22-25% wt/wt oil contents. The experimental design consists of two steps. The first is the reduction of the free fatty acid (FFA) of oil to 1.37 KOH/g, by using sulfuric acid as the catalyst, and the another step is the treated oil is converted into fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) by transesterification with potassium hydroxide (KOH) as the catalyst. The fuel properties of the biodiesel were analyzed and compared to ASTM D6751 and EN14214 standards. Key-Words: Kapok seed oil, free fatty acid, transesterification, fatty acid methyl ester, Biodiesel 1 Introduction Recent growth in population along with industrial development is important factors towards the depletion of fossil fuel reserve of the world. Currently, researchers are looking for new sources of renewable sustainable energy due to insufficient fossil fuel to world’s fuel requirements and increasing prices of fossil fuels. Ethanol, bio- methanol, and methyl ester from vegetable oils and animals fats are the alternative sources to fossil fuel [1]. Different type of energy sources such as water, solar, wind and biofuels have the potential to replace the fossil fuels. These fuels are largely utilized as transportation fuel [2]. At present, the biofuels such as biodiesel and bio-ethanol are used as the energy sources in different countries especially in Brazil, Germany, Malaysia, Indonesia, USA, Spain, and Argentina. Utilization of biofuels has gained wide attention worldwide [3]. In previous studies, it was clear that the feedstock containing high free fatty acids was not suitable to be converted into the biodiesel by using only an alkaline catalyst. Reduction of free fatty acids value of the feedstock by using acid catalyst, prior using the alkaline catalyst is essential to reduce problems associated with biodiesel production [4-5]. Biodiesel is defined as the mono alkyl ester of long chain fatty acid derived from the vegetable oil and animal fat. Vegetable oils are also used as an alternative fossil fuel as they are renewable, environmental friendly and free from sulfur. Direct utilization of vegetable oil is not recommended due to viscosity problem [6]. Due to this problem, the researchers explore new energy and renewable energy sources. Thus, conversion to biodiesel from different type of edible and non edible oils is explored. Utilizing edible oil as biodiesel feedstock will cause fuel versus food controversy. In current study, non-edible oil is used as biodiesel feedstock. Biodiesel is also called a green diesel because it is renewable, biodegradable and eco-friendly non toxic fuel for diesel engine. Different methods have been used to produce biodiesel but transesterification is the most preferred because of higher yield obtained. Basically, the transesterification is the reaction of triglycerides (vegetable oil or animal fat) with alcohol to produce ester and glycerin as by product [7-8]. Different feedstock are used for biodiesel production around the world, such as soybean oil, canola oil, palm oil, but they are from edible oil sources and its utilization will increase the cooking oil prices. Thus, new and non edible feedstock for the biodiesel Recent Researches in Environmental and Geological Sciences ISBN: 978-1-61804-110-4 57