Prospect of Rice Bran for Biodiesel Production in Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper investigates the prospect of biodiesel from rice bran in Bangladesh. Rice bran is the non-edible portion of paddy. It can be easily collected from the rice husk of the paddy. The estimated production of paddy in Bangladesh in year 2010-11 is about 33.54 million metric ton (source: BBS). If 18-20 wt% rice is rice husk then the amount of rice husk becomes 6.71 million metric ton. This rice husk contains about 16 to 20% of crude rice bran oil of its weight. An estimate of about 1.34 million metric ton of crude rice bran oil can be obtained annually. The current consumption of Petroleum Products in Bangladesh is 3.7 MT/annum and annual growth rate is 4% (source: BPC). Diesel consumption in Bangladesh is about 2.4 MT/annum. If the estimated amount of rice bran oil (RBO) is converted into biodiesel, this can satisfy 60-70% of our diesel need. This study involves the investigation of oil properties collected from rice bran to ensure the production of biodiesel by the well-known transesterification process. In order to inveterate the clarity of cost of biodiesel production, the aim fix with the determination of fuel properties, economic analysis and comparison with other non-edible sources.