Valorisation of banana peel waste as a precursor material for different renewable energy systems

• Published in: Biomass & bioenergy Vol. 155; p. 106279
• Main Authors: Serna-Jiménez, Johanna A., Luna-Lama, Fernando, Caballero, Álvaro, Martín, María de los Ángeles, Chica, Arturo F., Siles, José Ángel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2021
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Banana peel waste; Biogas; Combustion; Lithium batteries; Lithium batteries; Biogas; Combustion; Banana peel waste; Activated carbon
• ISSN: 0961-9534; 1873-2909
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2021.106279

The following different valorisation processes of banana peel waste (BPW) were evaluated: combustion, production of activated carbon/batteries, and biomethanisation. This study showed that the combustion of BPW is an interesting option with a zero-carbon cycle. A mass balance demonstrated a low concentration of sulphurous compounds in the flue gases (0.01%, in volume), but the content of structural nitrogen dioxide was remarkable (0.35%). Additionally, BPW should be pre-dried to increase its lower calorific value (LCV) upto 3000 kcal/kg. In contrast, the mesophilic biomethanisation of BPW led to the generation of renewable methane (182 LCH4/kg VS, volatile solids) and organic digestate, whereas its biodegradability was found to be 68% under the study conditions. The obtention of porous activated carbon was also demonstrated by employing a simple and low-cost method based on chemical activation/carbonisation of BPW with KOH porogen. The banana peel waste carbon (BPW–C) obtained showed low crystallinity, high purity, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area (SBET) of 264 m2/g. BPW-C was tested as an anode electrode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), and a remarkable reversible capacity of 225 mAh/g at 0.2 C after 200 cycles was observed. These results indicate the feasibility of the carbonisation method of BPW to produce a highly demanded product in the current society. [Display omitted] •Banana peel waste (BPW) was subjected to different valorisation processes.•Low concentration of thermal NOx is generated by burning BPW after drying.•Biomethanisation of BPW produced 182 mLSTPCH4/gVS and allowed removing 68% of waste.•A simple chemical activation and carbonisation process of BPW was demonstrated.•BPW showed good reversible capacity as anode for lithium-ion batteries (225 mAh/g).