10 projects designed to produce renewable energy from fruits and vegetables

It has been heard from last twenty to thirty years that we are losing our strength in the field of energy resources. In coming four to six decades, there will not be any core mineral left for fractional distillation. Hence, replacements are required to be made for hunt of new sources of energy, be it renewable or non-renewable.


A lot of conferences have been set up across the world in this regard, which has in turn led to abundance of debates, but all worthless. The fact is that they have wasted energy in a wrong direction for solving the crisis in lieu of finding the right way. It is important to remember that we cannot keep exploiting the non-renewable energy sources for long. We have to find substitutes to the conventional forms of energy which do not pollute our environment and are efficient as well. Here are some projects designed to produce renewable energy from fruits and vegetables.

Ethanol fuel

Ethanol is an efficient fuel made through fermentation, following distillation of sugar or starch crops such as wheat, corn, maize, sugar cane, sorghum etc. It is also obtained by waste of fruits and vegetables. The fuel is high in octane, and hence burns slowly reducing the chances of the engine 'knock'.

Biogas

Biogas is another example of renewable energy produced by fruits and vegetables. The kitchen waste that includes organic substances undergoes a biological breakdown without oxygen to produce biogas. The gas hence produced in a biogas power plant can be used to regulate engines and motors and serve several other purposes.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is generally produced by the transesterification of the vegetable oil. The long chains of fatty acids found in vegetable oils are the key functionaries in production of the biodiesel. When the oil reacts with alcohol, biodiesel is produced which can be used in the standard diesel engines.

Methane gas

Methane gas is produced by the anaerobic reaction in rotten vegetables and fruits. It is a suitable fuel to be used in the boilers. Thus, the vegetable waste can be converted into useful energy.

Syngas

A partial combustion of biomass (fruits and vegetables) in the presence of carbon monoxide and hydrogen produces Syngas. This gas can directly be burnt for combustion or can be used in converting into different forms of energy.

Using potato as a battery for clock

The potato clock constitutes of a small LED display and some wires. To prepare this, connect the wires to zinc and copper bars at one end. Connect the other end of these wires to the lead. Now, put the zinc and copper bars into the potato. The clock starts ticking as soon as you complete the circuit. The clock will work till the potatos shrink.

Battery using lemon

Ferrite bead, copper wire, sheets of zinc, copper and lemon are required to make this battery. The lemon is pressed with soft hand so that it becomes juicy inside. Few perpendicular cuts are made on the surface of the lemon. Now, electrodes are fixed in the lemon in an order where copper is placed before zinc and the arrangement is repeated, making sure the rods do not touch each other. Then bent transformer is attached to the copper and the cathode leg is connected to zinc rod respectively. Orange can also be used instead of lemon. You can use this battery to light a bulb.

Battery using fruits

Acidic fruits are tasty and capable of producing electricity which can be harnessed easily. These fruits are eco friendly, cheap and reusable. Things required to construct this kind of battery are - zinc bar, copper bar and fruits. Insert copper and zinc bars into the fruit in such a way that they do not touch each other. Many cells of this kind can be connected together to make an effective battery. Connect positive of one fruit to negative of another fruit. Same type of fruit should not be attached consecutively.

Battery using salt water or vinegar

Two dissimilar metals like copper and iron rod can be used to produce electricity with an electrolyte that is salt water or vinegar. The dry ends of the terminal will give some current. This cell will have to be arranged in series with more number of similar cells to make an effective battery.

Vegetable oil

The vegetable oil extracted from various vegetables is also a renewable source of energy. A low quality of vegetable oil can be used as a fuel.

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