Sustainable electricity generation through apple waste; Generación de electricidad sostenible a través de desechos de manzana

Abstract

Due to the increase in the production of fruits for consumption and export, large amounts of waste from the same fruits are being generated, causing a great environmental problem, especially in developing countries that do not have an adequate process for their use or treatment. In this context, microbial fuel cells are presented as a novel technology that could provide a solution to this problem in the future by reusing organic waste as an energy source. In the present work, microbial fuel cells (MFC) were manufactured on a laboratory scale using apple waste as a substrate with Zinc and Copper electrodes. It was possible to generate electrical current and voltage peaks of 7.567 ±.0117 mA and 1.452 ± 0.023 V, which operated with an electrical conductivity of the substrate of 152.326 ± 4.58 mS/cm and with an acid pH on day 16, where it was observed their maximum values. An internal resistance of approximately 31.548 ± 4.871 Ω was found, whose power density was 466.27 ± 16.824 mW/cm2 at a current density of 4.424 A/cm2. The microbial fuel cells were connected in series managing to generate a voltage of 3.17 V, enough to light a red LED light. © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.