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Banana Peels as Natural Filters for Heavy Metal Removal

Date:15 Apr 2011

Country: Brazil

Plant Name:

    Banana Plant

Residue Name:

    Peels

    Process waste/Secondary residue

End Products

Biomaterials

Water filter

Application

  • Water purification: Banana peels can be used to filter heavy metals like lead and copper from contaminated water, offering an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional filtration methods.

Description

Scientists from Brazil have discovered that banana peels can act as a natural filtration medium to remove heavy metals like lead and copper from water. The peels, rich in nitrogen, sulfur, and carboxylic acids, bind with the metals, offering an affordable and safe alternative to traditional filtration methods. The process requires no chemical modifications, and banana peel filters can be reused multiple times. This innovation presents a low-cost solution for water purification and effluent treatment.

Pathway Description:

The process utilizes adsorption, where compounds like carboxylic acids in banana peels bind heavy metal ions, such as lead and copper, onto their surface. Mixing minced banana peels with the metal-contaminated solution allows these ions to adhere effectively without requiring chemical modifications. The banana peel filters maintain high adsorption efficiency and can be reused multiple times. This simple, eco-friendly method highlights the potential of natural materials for water purification.

 

Source: Know More...

Tags: Banana Peel FiltrationHeavy Metal AdsorptionRenewable Water Purifiers

End Products

Biomaterials

Water filter

Feedstock

Types of Feedstock

Secondary agricultural residue

Name

Banana peels

Form

Solid (Minced particles)

Commercials

Sourced from agricultural or food waste

Logistics

Collected minced to 35-45 micrometer particles and prepared as filtration material

Characteristics

High in proteins and reactive groups for heavy metal adsorption

Pathways

Mechanical

Adsorption