Discover the energy of bananas

Two years ago, the idea of ​​supplying electricity to your home with banana pulp seemed unrealistic, but Queenland University professor Bill Clarke proved this idea was possible.

Between 2004 and 2005, Dr. Clarke received support from the Queenland government through the Queenland Resilient Energy Development Fund (QSEIF), Ergon Energy Electric Company, and the Banana Growers Association. Australia, he discovered the potential to produce energy from banana residues.

The leading horticultural service provider Growcom recently turned Dr. Clarke's research into a commercial scale project in North Queenland, a banana-free place. This venture has a part of QSEIF support

Dr. Clarke said: 'In 2004-2005, we proved that banana pulp and the material on the stem of the banana chamber is a major source of methane gas.

'There are no technical problems in producing methane from bananas. However, due to the process of achieving economic success, we need to develop a cheaper and simpler reducing machine that is currently being used for organic waste treatment in Europe. '

While extracting methane from bananas is a feasible technique, it is not a simple process. Methane is made by stuffing bananas into an airtight reactor that has careful control of pH and ideal temperature.

Dr. Clarke said: 'The Australian Banana Growers Association has built a pilot scale reactor on the ground. This cellar will contain bananas and biogas. '

Biogas is a combination of methane and carbon dioxide and is called bioenergy of materials of organic origin. Dr. Clarke said that biogas made from bananas has potential to be used as an alternative energy source.

'Biogas gas can both be stored in moderate pressure medium, can be used as fuel in transporting, or controlling a motor using gas to produce electricity as currently being used. in some landfills of Australia. '

Dr. Clarke serves as an adviser to Growcom's factory and provides design and operational guidance.

THANH TAM