Electricity Generation from Waste Tomatoes, Banana, Pineapple Fruits and Peels Using Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells (SMFC)

Abstract

Green Chemistry is gaining prominence in environmental and technological processes. Generating electricity from agro wastes comprising of waste vegetables and fruits are new sources of clean energy. Scientists need to develop technological methods of converting these agro wastes to useful resources especially in developing countries. Fruit wastes are generated in large quantities globally from processing plants. Defective tomatoes rejected and damaged banana fruits as well as unusable pineapple fruits and peels constitute part of the agro waste biomass generated annually. Effective management of this biomass is still ongoing. This research focuses on the conversion of these agro wastes to bioelectricity (green energy) using single microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) technology. Fruits wastes of 5kg, 10kg, 15kg and 20k were used. Results showed that the higher the quantity of substrate, the higher the electricity produced. The maximum voltage outputs generated on day 1 were 4.2V, 3.1V and 3.0V from tomatoes, banana and pineapple (fruit and peel) wastes respectively. The values obtained for current readings were significantly proportional to the voltage readings. The physiochemical parameters; pH, Conductivity, BOD, COD and DO were consistent with those from similar studies. The conversion of tomatoes, banana and pineapple fruit waste to bioelectricity was achieved. Reduction of this biomass by biodegradation using the SMFC technology is one way of removing these agro wastes from the ecosystem to maintain a clean, healthy, pollution-free environment.