Biohydrogen Production from Pineapple peels Waste by Dark Fermentation

Abstract

The lack of proper management of pineapple peel waste has been an environmental and health challenge in developing countries such as Togo. Pineapple peel wastes could be a promising feedstock in the generation of bioenergy such as biohydrogen and biogas which has the potential to be used for cooking, transport, and electricity generation. This study assessed the feasibility of theoretically producing biohydrogen from pineapple peel waste through dark fermentation. A biogas test was also conducted from which a 53.0% methane production from the biogas was assumed to theoretically calculate the biohydrogen production potential. This process offers the best solution for properly managing pineapple peel waste, reducing the environmental and health impacts of releasing greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere and accelerating the energy transition. The ultimate analysis of the pineapple peel sample was conducted using an Optic digital microscope (LIBS Analyser) VHX-7000 and the results show carbon 44.4%, hydrogen 9.40%, and oxygen 40.9%. These results were then used to theoretically calculate the biohydrogen production potential. The proximate analysis was conducted to determine the moisture content, total solids, and volatile solids in the pineapple peel sample. The fiber analysis test was also done for cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents using Fibretherm. The biogas test was conducted in bottles using the pineapple peel sample. The loading was such that 5 g of the sample, 200 g of inoculum, and 100 g of water were added into the bottles and then placed in a water bath at a mesophilic temperature of 380C for 21 days. The results obtained from the theoretical biohydrogen production was 3.5 moles and the biogas test was 493.14 mLg-1VS. The estimated theoretical hydrogen production potential from the 53.0% methane yield in the biogas assuming 90% conversion efficiency was 1045.84 mLg-1VS.