Republic of the Philippines
Calamba City Schools Division
CALAMBA CITY SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Chipeco Avenue, Barangay 3, Calamba City, Laguna 4027
The Effectiveness of Banana (Musa balbasiana) peelings and
Mango (Mangifera indica) peelings
as a Bioethanol fuel
An Investigatory Project
Presented to the faculty of Calamba City Science High School
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
of Research IV
By
Hazel Anne C. Quirao
Ann Marylette E. Salom
Jheriemi Rhaine T. Sanchez
Researchers
Ruth Anne B. Ramos
Research Adviser
October 2014
Abstract
This study determined if Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol is an eco-friendly fuel compared to diesel in terms of its fire duration. It also determined what the fuel's percent ethanol is. The null hypothesis stated that Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol would not be of good quality in terms of fire duration. The alternative hypothesis stated that Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol would be of good combusting quality and be better than other fuels in terms of fire duration.
The study would find out the difference between Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol and diesel in terms of fire duration and percentage ethanol only. The concentration of Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol was tested at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology by ethanol- gas chromatography.
The t- test was used since banana- mango peelings bioethanol fuel would only be compared to diesel. The results would be considered statistically significant at 95% confidence to determine significant differences between the two fuels. The critical value used for the experiment was 4.303 where the degree of freedom is 2.
The value of t yielded -0.08. The value is lower than the critical value used therefore signifies a difference between the fire duration of the Banana- Mango Peeling bioethanol and the diesel. Also it was found out that banana- mango peelings bioethanol has a percentage ethanol of 2.23±0.09.
This study can be improved by using thorough distillation; makeshift apparatuses can also be used. Also, it is recommended to have longer fermentation. Varying the fermentation weeks can also show different results that would lead to more useful data that show better analysation.
Acknowledgement
This study would not be successful without the help of the following individuals:
Foremost God, for letting the study be smooth, safe and also he gave enough wisdom and ability to the researchers to successfully do the experimentation and the whole paper.
Ms. Mary Grace Salom, Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez and Mr. and Ms. Quirao for supporting their children in doing the research study specifically in finance.
Mr. Ralph Lawrence R. Silaya for sharing facts regarding their past research, which is related to this study.
Ms. Ruth Anne Ramos, research adviser, was highly appreciated because of her patience in correcting the papers that were submitted to her and consideration when it comes to deadlines. Also for influencing her students to be organized and on time. Lastly, for being present in all times to guide and keep the safety of her students.
Introduction
Background of the Study
A biofuel is a fuel that contains energy from geologically recent carbon fixation. These fuels are produced from living organisms. These fuels are made by a biomass conversion (biomass refers to recently living organisms, most often referring to plants or plant-derived materials). This biomass can be converted to convenient energy containing substances in three different ways: thermal conversion, chemical conversion, and biochemical conversion.
Biofuels have been around as long as cars have. Biofuel is treated as a great solution to global warming. Cars are a major source of carbon dioxide, thus being a main contributor to global warming.
Bioethanol is an alcohol made by fermentation, mostly from carbohydrates produced in sugar or starch crops such as corn, sugarcane, or sweet sorghum. Cellulosic biomass, derived from non-food sources, such as trees and grasses, is also being developed as a feedstock for ethanol production. Ethanol can be used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure form, but it is usually used as a gasoline additive to increase octane and improve vehicle emissions. Current plant design does not provide for converting the lignin portion of plant raw materials to fuel components by fermentation.
Main feed stocks for bioethanol production are sugarcane (in Brazil) and corn grains (in USA), while many other agricultural raw materials are also used worldwide. Among the three major types of raw materials, the production of ethanol from sugary and starchy materials are easier as compared to lingo cellulosic materials since it requires additional technical challenges such as pretreatment . Furthermore, many agricultural raw materials rich in fermentable carbohydrates were tested worldwide for bioconversion from sugar to ethanol, but the cost of carbohydrate raw materials has become a limiting factor for large scale production by the Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the chemical composition of fruit wastes (pulp and peels) of Banana and Mango in order to explore their potential application in bio-ethanol production. The proximate composition of banana fruit pulp was 76.63% moisture, 5.65% protein, 1.37% lipid, 19.75% ash and 0.632% starch. Similarly for mango, the proximate composition of fruit pulp was 81.26% moisture, 7.96% protein, 1.48% lipid, 13.08% ash and 0.507% starch. The total dietary fibre content ranged from 3.54% to 73.04% in the fruit samples and found at higher level in mango peels. A maximum polyphenol content of 54.45% was observed in mango fruit peels and a minimum of 10.97% was recorded in banana fruit pulp. The dilute acid (H2SO4) pretreatment (DAP) followed by enzymatic hydrolysis showed maximum reducing sugar yield of 64.27% in the mixed fruit pulps, followed by the banana fruit pulp (57.58%). The banana fruit peels also yielded a maximum reducing sugar content of 36.67% whereas the lowest of 31.29% was observed in mango fruit peels. (Arumugam and Manikandan, 2011)
Fermentation is a metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases and/or alcohol. It occurs in yeast and bacteria, but also in oxygen-starved muscle cells, as in the case of lactic acid fermentation. It takes place in the absence of oxygen (when the electron transport chain is unusable) and becomes the cell's primary means of ATP (energy) production.
The researchers chose to study this because the world is facing global warming and it should be prevented or be cured. This study would give insights, since it would discuss about a harmless process which would produce a safe, cheap and effective fuel that can lessen pollution.
Statement of the Problem
The researchers wanted to know if Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol is effective as an eco- friendly fuel than diesel in terms of its production and fire duration. The researchers also aim to answer the following questions:
Is Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol has a significant difference to diesel gasoline in terms of fire duration?
How many percent of ethanol can be produced from Banana- Mango Peelings Bioethanol?
Hypotheses
This study focuses on the effectiveness of Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol in terms of firing duration. The null hypothesis (Ho) states that Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol has no significant difference to diesel gasoline in terms of firing duration. The alternative hypothesis (Ha) states that Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol has significant difference to diesel gasoline in terms of firing duration.
Significance of the Study
Bio ethanol has been formerly introduced as an eco-friendly type of fuel. However throughout the years, it has slowly been forgotten. Now at our generation, we are at need of cleaner and more efficient fuel that would serve our daily need. Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol would possibly another one of the cleaner and more efficient fuel. It is made of natural materials that are abundant in our country. Since it undergoes the natural process of fermentation in order to produce fuel, there would be no exact need to use synthetic methods that would possibly be harmful to the environment.
Scope and Limitation
The researchers would know the difference between Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol and diesel gasoline in terms of fire duration and percentage ethanol only. The concentration of Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol would be tested at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
Conceptual Framework
The Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol would be tested by measuring its combustion time and percent ethanol.
Banana-Mango Peelings BioethanolFire DurationPercent EthanolBanana-Mango Peelings BioethanolFire DurationPercent Ethanol
Banana-Mango Peelings Bioethanol
Fire Duration
Percent Ethanol
Banana-Mango Peelings Bioethanol
Fire Duration
Percent Ethanol
Definition of Terms
Bio ethanol
Mainly produced by the sugar fermentation process, although it can also be manufactured by the chemical process of reacting ethylene with steam.
Fermentation
A metabolic process in which an organism converts a carbohydrate, such as starch or a sugar, into an alcohol or an acid. For example, yeast performs fermentation to obtain energy by converting sugar into alcohol.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Commonly known as "baker's yeast" or "brewer's yeast". The yeast ferments sugars present in the flour or added to the dough, giving off carbon dioxide (CO2) and alcohol (ethanol).
Review of Related Literatures
Production of Biofuel out of Fruit Waste
Ethanol fuel is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. It is most often used as a motor fuel, mainly as a biofuel additive for 72 gasoline. World ethanol production for transport fuel tripled between 2000 and 2007 from 17 billion to more than 52 billion liters. From 2007 to 2008, the share of ethanol in global gasoline type fuel use increased from 3.7% to 5.4%. In 2009 worldwide ethanol fuel production reached 19.5 billion gallons (73.9 billion liters). Ethanol is widely used in Brazil and in the United States, and together both countries were responsible for 89 percent of the world's ethanol fuel production in 2009. Most cars on the road today in the U.S. can run on blends of up to 10% ethanol, and the use of 10% ethanol gasoline is mandated in some U.S. states and cities. Since 1976 the Brazilian government has made it mandatory to blend ethanol with gasoline, and since 2007 the legal blend is around 25% ethanol and 75% gasoline (E25). In addition, by 2010 Brazil had a fleet of more than 10 million flexible-fuel vehicles regularly using neat ethanol fuel (Goettemoeller et. al 2007).
The main objective is to search for a relatively cheaper source for the production of ethanol & to develop easier techniques for the production so that people can also produce it by themselves. For this purpose, fruit wastes were used (apple pomace and rotten banana) as a substrate for the production of ethanol by treating it with distilled water, small amount of sucrose and Saccharomyces cerevisiae which was collected from "FRI, Dehradun". After 36 hrs of fermentation process, a yield of 38% ethanol was created. After distillation, a total volume of 200 ml of 48% concentrated ethanol from a total volume of 1500 ml of substrate mixture was recorded. (Bohra and Mishra, 2011)
From the given study, the idea of creating biofuel and bioethanol from fruit wastes has been clearly shown. So the researchers will use banana and mango peelings since those fruits are not seasonal and abundant in the Philippines. It is also rich in sucrose and starch which will be converted to gas or alcohol through fermentation.
Source: International Journal of Advanced Biotechnology Research
Production of Liquid Biofuels
Process and Technology Status – Biofuels are liquid and gaseous fuels produced from biomass. This brief deals with the two major liquid biofuels: bioethanol and biodiesel. Biogas is dealt with in ETSAP P11. Liquid biofuels are usually referred to as conventional or advanced biofuels. Conventional biofuels are currently produced in many countries and are based on well-known processes and feedstock (e.g. bioethanol from sucrose and starchy biomass fermentation and biodiesel from esterification of vegetable oils). (Irena, 2013)
Since banana and mango peelings will be used to produce bioethanol, the well- known process for conventional biofuels will also be used. Through this process, the peels will only undergo fermentation and distillation to extract fuel. In addition, they are rather expensive and offer more reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to fossil fuels.
Source: Production of Liquid Biofuels
Examining Liquid Biofuels
The bio ethanol fuel was tested by duration by placing it in a cotton ball. The cotton ball with bio ethanol was fired. This process tested the duration and darkness of the smoke produced by bio ethanol. The duration and the darkness of the smoke emitted by kerosene and diesel was tested and compared with their bio ethanol. Also, the bio ethanol was tested for the chemical composition emitted when it was fired. The process was also done to kerosene and diesel.
The fire duration was then compared to each other through the use of statistical analysis. (Asprec, Centeno et. al, 2012)
Testing the banana- mango peelings fire duration will be the same as what on this study did. The bioethanol will be brought to the Land Transportation Office to identify its hydrocarbon emission and can effectively compare with banana bioethanol and diesel.
Source: Bio ethanol Fuel out of Fermented Banana (Musa balbasiana) Peelings
Methodology
Research Design
The research design used is the Group Comparison. In this research design, two groups are being compared; one is the Banana-Mango peelings bioethanol while the other is the diesel. Both groups were subjected to the same treatments.
Location of the Study
The fermentation of the peelings was conducted at Calamba City Science High School. However, the extraction was done at Villa de Calamba, Calamba City and brought to school for testing its fire duration. The percentage ethanol was tested at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (UP NIMBB) at University of the Philippines, Los Baños.
Source of Materials
The materials such as: banana and mango peelings, yeast and cans for the distillation set up were bought or collected from Calamba area only. The measuring instruments and laboratory apparatus like: 500mL beaker, 10mL and 100mL graduated cylinders, evaporating dishes and digital weighing scale were borrowed from the Calamba City Science High School's laboratory property.
Procedures
The banana- mango peelings with Saccharomyces cerevisiae was placed in a thin can attached to a distillation setup and let to ferment for fourteen days. After fermentation, the can was heated for at least 4 hours to get enough precipitate. The distilled liquid was then combined with 70% solution of isopropyl alcohol with a proportion of 1mL: 2.5mL isopropyl alcohol and left to react for four days until it turned brownish- black. The solution was then filtered. The percent ethanol of banana- mango peelings bioethanol was tested at UP NIMBB and measured by ethanol- gas chromatography.
Data Gathering Process
The cotton balls with two mL of the fuels were lit and its firing duration was recorded separately per set- up and listed in tabular form. While the percent ethanol of the banana- mango peelings bioethanol was measured by ethanol- gas chromatography.
Statistical Analysis
The t- test was used for comparing the means of two samples (or treatments), even if they have different number of replicates.
After measuring the banana- mango peelings bioethanol fuel's fire duration, the t- test was used since banana- mango peelings bioethanol fuel would only be compared to diesel gasoline. The results would be considered statistically significant at 95% confidence to determine significant differences between the two fuels.
Flow Chart
Gathering of Materials(500g of banana and mango peelings each)Fermentation for two weeks(The peelings were combined with 100g of yeast and placed in an air- tight thin can)Distillation processProductTwo mL of both the product and diesel gasoline were tested for fire durationOne mL of Banana- Mango peelings bioethanol was tested for its percentage ethanol contentTabulation of DataGathering of Materials(500g of banana and mango peelings each)Fermentation for two weeks(The peelings were combined with 100g of yeast and placed in an air- tight thin can)Distillation processProductTwo mL of both the product and diesel gasoline were tested for fire durationOne mL of Banana- Mango peelings bioethanol was tested for its percentage ethanol contentTabulation of Data
Gathering of Materials
(500g of banana and mango peelings each)
Fermentation for two weeks
(The peelings were combined with 100g of yeast and placed in an air- tight thin can)
Distillation process
Product
Two mL of both the product and diesel gasoline were tested for fire duration
One mL of Banana- Mango peelings bioethanol was tested for its percentage ethanol content
Tabulation of Data
Gathering of Materials
(500g of banana and mango peelings each)
Fermentation for two weeks
(The peelings were combined with 100g of yeast and placed in an air- tight thin can)
Distillation process
Product
Two mL of both the product and diesel gasoline were tested for fire duration
One mL of Banana- Mango peelings bioethanol was tested for its percentage ethanol content
Tabulation of Data
Results and Discussion
Duration of Fire
Table 1 Duration of each fuel's combustion
Fuel
Duration (seconds)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
x
Banana- Mango Peelings Bioethanol
74.55
82.53
72.85
76.38
Diesel
195.54
171.86
301.98
223.13
Table 4.1 shows that Banana-Mango Peelings bioethanol burns faster than diesel gasoline. In all trials, diesel lasted longer and Banana- mango peelings ethanol lasted almost only half of its time.
Statistical Analysis
For determining significant difference between the Banana-mango Peelings Bioethanol and Diesel's fire duration, t test was used. The mean of the two fuel's fire duration was computed, value of t and degrees of freedom to get the critical value which is statistically significant at 95% confidence.
Table 2 Table of results of the fuel's combustion in t test
Fuel
x
t
Banana-Mango Peelings Bioethnaol
76.38
- 0.08
Diesel
223.13
The degree of freedom used was 2 where the critical value was at 4.303. Based from the computed values, the value of t was less than the critical value. Meaning, there was a significant difference between banana- mango peelings bioethanol and diesel in terms of fire duration. So the null hypothesis was rejected.
Percentage Ethanol
Table 3 Official result from UP Biotech
Sample Code
Amount
% Ethanol
Banana-Mango Peelings Bioethanol (Bio-Ethanol)
1 mL
2.23 ± 0.09
From the results, it was hypothesized that the ethanol could have been able to rival the results of the diesel gas if it went through the distillation process in a more proper way. If it was done so, the resultant fuel would have a higher concentration of ethanol which would thusly lead to longer fire durations.
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
Summary
This study deals with the production of a biofuel from banana and mango peelings. It was tested if it was more effective than diesel in terms of its fire duration. It also determined what the fuel's percent ethanol is. The null hypothesis states that Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol and diesel gasoline has no significant difference in terms of firing duration. The alternative hypothesis states that Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol and diesel gasoline has significant difference in terms of firing duration.
The fermentation process was conducted at Calamba City Science High School. However, the distillation was done at Villa de Calamba, Calamba City. The peelings were combined with 100g Saccharomyces cerevisiae and were left to ferment for two weeks. After fermentation, it underwent distillation and was added with 70% isopropyl alcohol which was left to react for four days. The banana- mango peelings bioethanol fuel and diesel gasoline's firing duration was tested by putting 2mL of fuel to a cotton ball, lit by a lighter and measured time by stopwatch. The t-test was used for comparing the two means of the two fuels' firing duration and to determine significant differences between the two.
Summary of Findings
The banana- mango peelings bioethanol and diesel were compared in terms of fuel combustion by soaking cotton balls with 2mL of each substance and then setting them on fire. The results show that the banana- mango peelings bioethanol was able to last for an average of at least a minute while diesel was able to go for twice as long. The results of the given data were analyzed using t-test at 95% significant difference in the confidence interval of p<0.05. The value of t yielded to -0.08, which was lower than the critical value of 4.303 at degree of freedom of 2. This shows that the fuels' combustion rates have a significant difference between them. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected. The banana- mango bioethanol was sent to the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Microbiology at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños to determine how much ethanol is present in the sample. Results of which showed that the Banana-Mango Peelings bioethanol's percent ethanol was at 2.23±0.09.
Conclusion
From the given computed data, it show that there is a difference between the fire duration of the Banana- Mango Peeling bioethanol and the diesel.
The results given by the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology showed that the percent ethanol of the product was at 2.23 ± 0.09.
Recommendation
It is advised to undergo the fuel in a thorough distillation. Using more than makeshift apparatuses would possibly lead to better results. Various fermentation durations should also be taken into account. The number of fermentation weeks may affect the quality of the fuel produced.
Bibliography
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environment/global-warming/biofuel-profile/
Borah, D., & Mishra, V. (2011). Production of Biofuel Out of Fruit Waste. International
Journal of Advanced Biotechnology Research, 1, 71- 74. Retrieved June 23, 2014,
from the Research Gate database.
Klein, D. W., M., L., & John, H. (2006). Microbiology: 6th Edition. New York: McGraw
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Production of Liquid Biofuels. (n.d.). Energy Technology System Analysis Programme.
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Appendix
