CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

At present, technology continues in bringing improvement and easy way to do

difficult things with electronic gadgets and appliances. Almost all contains or uses batteries

which is made from acid, lead, nickel, lithium, cadmium, alkaline, mercury and nickel metal

hydride. When batteries are disposed improperly, the chemicals present in it can be

harmful to the environment. These toxic chemicals can contaminate the soil and water.

Furthermore, animals can accumulate some of these elements.

Another problem present today is the continuous energy crisis which has affected

large areas that demands power within their households. The lack of supply of electricity

because of the greater demands tend to be experienced by many because of the

increasing number of populations. Alternative sources of energy should be determined in

order to sustain the needs of people that uses electricity. These should be available and

can be produce easily.

With the challenges being faced at present, research about efficient energy

sources without harmful effects to the environment must be consider in order to produce

conventional sources of energy that can be used in the future.

Agriculture plays a significant role in the Philippines and bananas are one of the

significant agricultural crops in the country. With this, the researchers decided to develop

a banana stem battery which is meant to reduce the harmful effects of other batteries

including lead acid that contains harmful elements. Banana stem battery is considered as

modern convenience because of the availability of banana plant. Banana stems contains
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Banana Stem Battery
Mendoza, P.N.,Untalan,M.L.F.,Villalobos, D.M.

citric acids that are commonly present in citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, grapefruits,

pomelos, and limes. These citrus fruits especially lemons lead to the existence of citric

acid batteries. Citric acid batteries are considered wet cell battery because of having an

electrolytic solution which can be replaced if required.

Wet cell batteries that are typically used in large applications are considered

rechargeable secondary batteries. This makes them ideal for different uses like in motor

vehicles where the car’s alternator recharges the battery after starting. Comparing to the

dry cell batteries about the amount of power they supply and durability, wet cell batteries

are fairly affordable and economical.

Wet cell batteries generates its power from a pair of electrodes and an electrolytic

solution which one of the examples is the citric acid battery. Most wet cell batteries at

modern comprises lead plates and sulfuric acid solution. These batteries most likely less

to suffer damage from other batteries if well maintained.

Advantages in the use of wet cell batteries make it very useful in the society.

Somehow, the disadvantages on the use of these batteries also exist. Wet cell batteries

requires the highest maintenance when it comes to the types of batteries. This is because

it contains acid that can spill if the battery is ruptured or overturned. It is also low tolerant

in low temperatures and requires to be vented or placed outside.

Huang, et al (2015) concluded in the study that parallel and series connections of

electrodes inserted into the pseudo-stem of a banana plant allow it to function as a long-

lasting battery cell for charging low-power devices such as small batteries (e.g., those for

mobile phones) or lighting up an LED without damaging the plant or affecting its growth

process. The main production regions of bananas include Central and South America,

Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Asia-Pacific region. The expectation of this new discovery
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Banana Stem Battery
Mendoza, P.N.,Untalan,M.L.F.,Villalobos, D.M.

is to provide low cost and long-lasting electrical light (from low-power LEDs) to remote

villages or impoverished areas (near banana plantations) that are deprived of an electrical

power supply. The connection of electrodes in the battery will be similar on how the

electrodes are placed on the pseudo-stem of a banana plant.

In the design of the banana stem battery, some elements including zinc and copper

will be used and will act as the electrodes (anode and cathode) of the battery. Meanwhile,

acids that are present in the banana stem will serve as the electrolytes. The reaction of

the plant as days passed will be considered as factors in measuring current and voltage

to help maximize the output of the battery. With this project, the use of lead acid batteries

would be minimized as it is environment-friendly and will not produce harmful effects if

disposed. Moreover, the use of banana stem will utilize the waste of banana plant which

is cut after the crops had been harvested.

Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study was to design and develop a battery that uses

banana stem as its main component. Specifically, the project sought attainment of the

following objectives:

1. To evaluate the existing wet cell battery in terms of the following:

1.1 Design

1.2 Construction

1.3 Operation

1.4 Areas for Improvement

2. To determine the project’s design requirement and considerations:

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Banana Stem Battery
Mendoza, P.N.,Untalan,M.L.F.,Villalobos, D.M.

2.1 Philippine Electrical Code (PEC)

2.2 National Electric Manufacturers Association (NEMA)

2.3 National Electric Code (NEC)

3. To prepare the design plans:

3.1 General Description of the Project

3.2 Design Layout

3.3 Circuit Diagram

3.4 Bill of Materials and Specifications

4. To determine the methods of fabrication and assembly:

4.1 Materials

4.2 Methods

5. To test the performance of banana stem battery in terms of its produced

voltage, current and its discharge time.

6. To discuss the effects of the project on the society and economy.

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework of the study is the outline of the possible courses of

action preferred for designing the banana stem battery. The ideal approach in each stage

and the flow of the study are presented in Figure 1.1.

The evaluation of the existing wet cell batteries will include the analysis of the

design, its previous models, and the difference between the amount of voltage that can

be produced to the proposed study. This study will also cover the improvements that will

be based on previous models.

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Banana Stem Battery
Mendoza, P.N.,Untalan,M.L.F.,Villalobos, D.M.

In the pre-design stage, it is necessary to know the different requirements and

standards to be based on the examination of previous models. Electrical design will be

guided by PEC and NEC. The selections of materials and components to be used will be

guided by NEMA, and RA 9003 for an ecological solid waste management of the banana

stem.

In the design stage, the electrical design of the study will involve layout

preparations and will consist of circuit connections. Legends and symbols that will be used

will be drawn for easier identification. Also, computations and analysis will be essential in

having accurate results to maintain the operation of the project.

In this study, safety will always be maintained especially in methods that includes

fabricating of materials. Every method will be done according to the procedures to develop

precise and effective system. The use of equipment and tools will engage proper course

of actions.

After the construction of the project, testing of the project will be conducted and

will follow procedures to determine the operating performance of the project. Results from

the test will be gathered, checked, and analyzed and will be discussed briefly.
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Banana Stem Battery
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Evaluation of Existing Wet Cell Batteries

 Design
 Construction
 Operation
 Areas of Improvement

Design Considerations and Requirements

 PEC
 NEMA
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9003

Design and Specifications

 General Discussion of the Project
 Design and Computation and Analysis
 Design Layouts
 Circuit Diagram
 Bill of Materials and Specification

Fabrication and Assembly

 Materials / Tools
 Methods

Methods of Testing
 Procedure
 Results and Discussion

Banana Stem Battery

Figure 1.1 Paradigm of the Study
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Banana Stem Battery
Mendoza, P.N.,Untalan,M.L.F.,Villalobos, D.M.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study mainly will focus on the development of banana stem battery which uses

the banana stem to generate electricity. Chemical composition of the banana stem will be

tackled, but only the components that are important in generating electricity will be given

focus. The curing time of the banana stem after being cut will be studied to determine the

best conditions in generating electricity.

This study will also be limited to only one variety of banana (Saba), as it is the most

common type of banana available in the area. The study will use grinded banana stem

and banana stem extract that will serve as the electrolytes of the battery. The study will

also be limited in developing a prototype intended for research purposes only. This means

that the project will not be viable for commercial production but only for demonstration

purposes.

The study will be using an LED light bulb as a load to be supplied by the batteries.

The voltage of load to be supplied will depend on the output the battery that will be

measured using a Digital Multimeter. The connections to be used will in the study will

composed of series, parallel and series-parallel connections. Plates of the batteries will

be connected in series with each other. Parallel connection will be used in batteries to

increase the current that will flow through the bulb. Series-parallel connection of batteries

will be used to increase the voltage and the current that will flow through the circuit. Also,

elements like zinc will be used as the anode and copper as the cathode of the batteries.

There may be many other facets that this research will be explored but the

researchers will focus on the concerns and motivations they had in the conduct of the

study.
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Banana Stem Battery
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Significance of the Study

Enriching the body of researched-based knowledge and thinking of more

economical source of energy are the intentions of the researchers in conducting this study.

This study will help in gaining more ideas and open opportunities for future studies of

researchers who wants to expand the accessibility of electricity to everyone.

This study will focus on the investigation if banana stems can be an economical

source of energy in the country, that is, an energy source that is cheap and always

available. This study will determine its importance that may help forecast the needs

concerning other ways of generating electricity. The effects and consequences of this type

of electric source of energy will be explored so that it can be beneficial in terms of energy

source in larger society.

This study will benefit everyone especially those who are in agriculture lands where

banana is a major product. The fact that banana plant is considered as useless once the

crop has been harvested will change because its stem will be grinded and placed in the

battery storage. In line with the continuous deteriorating environment of the country, this

study will help in decreasing environmental damages caused by chemicals used from

other sources of energy.

In summary, the quality of this study could contribute to the improvement and

betterment of life of people.

Specifically, this research is also significant to the following:

The Country. With the continuous shortage of electricity due to demand caused

by increasing number of populations, this will help in generating more ideas and better

solutions in maintaining the supply of electricity to the end-users. This will allow people to
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Banana Stem Battery
Mendoza, P.N.,Untalan,M.L.F.,Villalobos, D.M.

understand the importance of the discovery of new sources of electrical energy to the

country.

Batangas State University. The proposed study could give more information to

the students of Batangas State University especially for the EE, EnSE and ChE

departments with regards to the characteristics of banana plants and its usefulness that

can be used in power generation. This could be used in the future studies and could make

the University guarantee the popularity in the field of research.

Electrical Engineering Department. The proposed study could provide additional

contribution to the achievement of the department in the University. The department has

already gained various acknowledgements for its contribution in the field of research and

studies. Furthermore, the department has also gained high reputation that encourages

aspiring students to enroll in the program.

Electrical Engineering Students. The study will be useful for electrical

engineering students in understanding topics related to power generation. The proposed

study will help future researchers with related studies in understanding the need in energy

access.

The Researchers. The experience itself in the conduct of the study has improved

and developed the researchers’ knowledge and skills in the field of electrical engineering.

It was a great opportunity for them to have this kind of contribution to the field.

Future Researchers. This study could serve as reference for future research

especially when it comes to the generation of new and accessible source of energy. The

study will also allow future researchers to gain information about the applications of this

study.
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Banana Stem Battery
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Definition of terms

For clear and better understanding of the study, the following terms used in the

study were defined:

Anode. A highly polarized electrode where electric current travels into an electrical

device. [1]

Battery. A device that produces electrons through electrochemical reactions and

contains positive (+) and negative (-) terminals. A battery consists of one or more

electrochemical cells, which transform stored chemical energy directly into electrical

energy. [2]

Cathode. The metallic electrode through which current flows out in a polarized

electrical device. [3]

Current. Flow of electrical charge carriers like electrons. Current flows from

negative to positive points. [4]

Citric Acid. A colorless crystalline organic compound belonging to the family of

carboxylic acids, present in practically all plants and in many animal tissues and fluids. [5]

Electrical Energy. Energy that is caused by moving electric charges. Since the

electric charges are moving, this is a form of kinetic energy. The faster the electric charges
[6]
are moving the more electrical energy they carry.

Electricity. This refer to the flow of electrical power or charge. Electricity is both a
[7]
basic part of nature and one of the most widely used forms of energy.
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Electrode. This refer to a solid electric conductor that carries electric current into

non-metallic solids, or liquids, or gases, or plasmas, or vacuums. Electrodes are typically

good electric conductors, but they need not be metals. [8]

Electrolyte. This refer to a chemical compound that dissociates into ions and

hence is capable of transporting electric charge. An electrolyte is an electric conductor;

[9]
unlike metals the flow of charge is not a flow of electrons but is a movement of ions.

Energy Source. This refer to a substance that is converted by process into

usable energy. [10]

Voltage. Is the electromotive force or the electric potential energy difference

between two points per unit of charge, expressed in volts (V). Voltage, along with current
[11]
and resistance, is used to describe the behavior of electrons.