Post by account_disabled on Feb 20, 2024 5:16:46 GMT -5
Food waste generation and its consequent environmental impacts are increasing due to rapid urbanization, global population and associated food demand. Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are a sustainable technology through which these food waste can be treated and used to produce bioelectricity.
UBC Okanagan researchers are exploring the potential of using fruit waste, both solid and leachate, to power fuel cells.
While the energy extracted from food scraps is still less powerful compared to solar or wind energy, researchers are working to purify and improve the energy production of discarded food, particularly fruit waste.
“Today, food waste is a sustainability challenge with detrimental environmental, economic and social implications,” explains UBCO researcher Dr. Hirra Zafar. “Current waste treatment methods, such as landfilling and incineration, are associated with a wide range of adverse environmental impacts, including acidic waste leachate, air pollution, methane production, and the rele C Level Executive List se of harmful pollutants that “result in environmental degradation and health risks.”
Dr Zafar says microbial fuel cells convert fruit waste into electrical energy using an anaerobic anode compartment. In this compartment, anaerobic microbes use organic matter to convert it into energy.
Researchers are using electroactive microbes to consume organic matter in the anode compartment and release electrons and protons. Electrons combine with protons and oxygen at the cathode to produce water, generating bioelectricity in the process. Different types of fruits provide different results when processed through a microbial fuel cell, mainly due to their individual biochemical characteristics.
“Carbohydrates are first broken down into soluble sugars and smaller molecules like acetate, which are then consumed by electroactive bacteria to produce electricity in the process of electrogenesis,” he explains .
The team found that the new process worked more efficiently with a better outcome when food waste was separated and ground into small particles before processing. While challenges remain in converting food waste into bioenergy on a commercial scale, Dr Zafar says this study reinforces the great possibilities of microbial fuel cells. And converting waste into green and renewable energy has a dual environmental purpose.
“Microbial fuel cells are really in their development stage and have a lot of potential,” he adds. “At this point, the voltage is still low, but I am excited to investigate how to improve its power output and apply these practices on a commercial scale.”
UBC Okanagan researchers are exploring the potential of using fruit waste, both solid and leachate, to power fuel cells.
While the energy extracted from food scraps is still less powerful compared to solar or wind energy, researchers are working to purify and improve the energy production of discarded food, particularly fruit waste.
“Today, food waste is a sustainability challenge with detrimental environmental, economic and social implications,” explains UBCO researcher Dr. Hirra Zafar. “Current waste treatment methods, such as landfilling and incineration, are associated with a wide range of adverse environmental impacts, including acidic waste leachate, air pollution, methane production, and the rele C Level Executive List se of harmful pollutants that “result in environmental degradation and health risks.”
Dr Zafar says microbial fuel cells convert fruit waste into electrical energy using an anaerobic anode compartment. In this compartment, anaerobic microbes use organic matter to convert it into energy.
Researchers are using electroactive microbes to consume organic matter in the anode compartment and release electrons and protons. Electrons combine with protons and oxygen at the cathode to produce water, generating bioelectricity in the process. Different types of fruits provide different results when processed through a microbial fuel cell, mainly due to their individual biochemical characteristics.
“Carbohydrates are first broken down into soluble sugars and smaller molecules like acetate, which are then consumed by electroactive bacteria to produce electricity in the process of electrogenesis,” he explains .
The team found that the new process worked more efficiently with a better outcome when food waste was separated and ground into small particles before processing. While challenges remain in converting food waste into bioenergy on a commercial scale, Dr Zafar says this study reinforces the great possibilities of microbial fuel cells. And converting waste into green and renewable energy has a dual environmental purpose.
“Microbial fuel cells are really in their development stage and have a lot of potential,” he adds. “At this point, the voltage is still low, but I am excited to investigate how to improve its power output and apply these practices on a commercial scale.”