Bio-ethanol production from blends of banana peels and macro algae

Abstract

Our lives are linked to energy use. We use energy to do work. Energy lights our cities. So, it has to be changed agricultural waste to sustainable energy and maintain our community from dangerous pollution and control climate change. The objectives of this research is to investigate Bio- ethanol production from blends of banana peels and macro algae waste using Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast as fermentation agent. Fossil fuel depletion has become a great concern as the world population is increasing at an alarming rate. Current concerns such as global warming, depletion of fossil fuels and increasing price of petroleum-based fuels have forced the search for alternative and cost effective energy sources with lesser greenhouse gas emissions. The methodology of this research was the fruit peels were crushed in to 3-5 cm sizes for easy drying and grinding. Sample drying was carried out in oven (60 oC for 72hr) to obtain easily crushable material. After drying, each of the samples was milled separately. The maximum particle sizes of the ground mixed sample were 2 mm. Laboratory experiments of 16 run were conducted to produce bio-ethanol from those blends of banana peel and macro algae were pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation process respectively to produce bioethanol. The result of research was obtained in these study 75% banana peels and 25%micro algae had high potential application for bio-ethanol production. pH was adjusted at 4.5 for bio ethanol production. The optimum results were obtained at 0.75%v/v acid concentration, 115oC temperature and 15min retention time. Under these condition 56% of bio-ethanol were obtained. Further researches have to be done to improve the production of high quality and quantity of fruit peel with blends different ratio to produced ethanol. The budget used for the research was 25,120 ETB and the duration of the research for six months.