@misc{YusufFlagielloWardetal., author = {Yusuf, Ifrah and Flagiello, Fabio and Ward, Niel I. and Arellano-Garc{\´i}a, Harvey and Avignone-Rossa, Claudio and Felipe-Sotelo, Monica}, title = {Valorisation of banana peels by hydrothermal carbonisation: Potential use of the hydrochar and liquid by-product for water purification and energy conversion}, series = {Bioresource Technology Reports}, volume = {12}, journal = {Bioresource Technology Reports}, issn = {2589-014X}, doi = {10.1016/j.biteb.2020.100582}, abstract = {Banana peels were used as feedstock to produce a carbon dense hydrochar for the removal of toxic metals from wastewater. Compared to the biomass feedstock (41.3\% mass C), the banana peel hydrochar possesses higher carbon (54-72\% mass C) and lower ash contents. The carbonised banana peels treated between 150 and 300 °C (1-2h) demonstrated an excellent ability to remove Cd²⁺ (5-100 mg L⁻¹), achieving 99\% removal, in comparison with 75\% for the raw peel. The liquid by-product generated in the carbonisation process was tested as feedstock in microbial electrochemical devices, showing significant reduction in the chemical oxygen demand levels (initially 10-25 10³ mg L⁻¹), associated with the production of electrical outputs; 81-85\% reduction with microbial communities from compost, and 53-85\% with anaerobic sludge. The results demonstrate the complete utilization of waste from mass cultivation of banana, providing a full-cycle solution for the pollution associated to this important crop.}, language = {en} }