In this book, various waste-to-energy technologies were evaluated for their suitability in banana waste valorization and energy generation for use in the banana processing industry. The potential ones explored were grouped into three: Thermal (Direct combustion and Incineration); Thermo-chemical (Torrefaction, Plasma treatment, Gasification and Pyrolysis) and Biochemical (Composting, Ethanol fermentation and Anaerobic Digestion). However, due to high moisture content of banana waste, direct application of either thermal or thermo-chemical waste-to-energy technologies is challenging. Although, supercritical water gasification does not require drying of feedstock and can be a promising thermo-chemical technology for gasification of wet biomass such as banana waste, it is an expensive technology that is less likely adopted by low developed countries. Biochemical conversion technologies are more eco-friendly and appropriate for waste biomass with high moisture content such as banana waste. Furthermore, the benefits as well as the shortfall of each technology were highlighted. Finally, potential options for enhancement of anaerobic digestion of banana waste were also elucidated.

Auteur

Robert Gumisiriza is a scholar at the Department of Biochemistry, Makerere University Uganda. He has an M.Sc in Biotechnology, Ph.D tyro (Anaerobic Biochemistry) with research interest in biofuel production technologies. His current research focuses on development of bioreactor system for energy crops and ligno-cellulolytic pre-treatment methods.