Bio-Electricity Generation from Watermelon Fruit Bark (Citrullus lanatus) through Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (SC-MFC)
AUTHORS
Stephen. I. Akpotayire,Department of Biochemistry, University of Port-Harcourt, Choba, P.M.B 5323, Rivers State, Nigeria
Pepple Omiete E.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Port-Harcourt, Choba, P.M.B 5323, Rivers State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Fossil fuels used in the generation of electricity pollute the environment as the noxious gases that are expelled have resulted in global warming just as the careless disposal of organic waste materials has destroyed the aesthetic beauty of the environment and caused land pollution. This research therefore is aimed at converting such organic waste into electricity. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) fruit barks which were collected from different refuse dumps in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria utilized electricity generation by microbial fuel cell method in a constructed chamber (single) using local materials, watermelon fruit bark of different weights (1kg, 2 kg and 4 kg) were used for the generation of electricity. Voltages generated by the different weight(s) of watermelon fruit bark were obtained through the recordings displayed on the digital multi-meter connected to the constructed microbial fuel cells. This study was done in triplicate for five days. The result showed that 1 kg of watermelon fruit bark generated the following voltages (32.75±5.90, 49.00±8.07, 76.80±9.13, 82.30±9.38 and 97.85±6.04) mV; 2 kg of watermelon fruit bark generated the following voltages (56.80±9.58, 67.50±9.88, 78.00±8.67, 90.10±8.93 and 104.85±4.13) mV and 4 kg of watermelon fruit bark generated the following voltages (72.75±3.23, 91.45±0.98, 111.25±2.83, 123.75±1.78 and 143.15±3.79) mV. The result showed that watermelon fruit bark was capable of generating electricity and the quantity of electricity generated increased with a corresponding increase in the weights of the watermelon fruit bark utilized. It therefore suggests that organic wastes (watermelon fruit bark) which are potential environmental and health risk materials can be recycled and used to generate electricity for homes and industrial use. Proper programs should be put in place to adequately utilize these organic materials for the generation and supply of electricity to developing countries.
KEYWORDS
Electricity, Watermelon, Fruit, Bark, Single chamber microbial fuel cell
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