USING DATE SEEDS TO TURN WASTE INTO WEALTH AND ENERGY

Prof. Fawzi Banat

Khalifa University Professor & Chair of the Chemical Engineering Department

Researchers from Khalifa University’s Center of Membranes & Advance Water Technology (CMAT) and Catalysis and Separations (CeCaS) have developed a sustainable electrochemical process to recover metal ions in wastewater, turning them into valuable end products using date seeds.

Dr. Bharath Govindan, Research Scientist, Abdul Hai, Research Associate, Dr. Rambabu Krishnamoorthy, Research Scientist, Prof. Fawzi Banat, Chair of the Chemical Engineering Department, and Dr. Mohammad Abu Haija, Associate Professor, published their work in a special issue of Resources, Conservation and Recycling. Professor Fawzi Banat, Chair of the Chemical Engineering Department, told Innovation@UAE Magazine - that using activated carbon derived from date seeds, a common waste product of the date fruit industry in the UAE, and a nitrogencontaining compound called polyaniline - the team was able to develop an electrode that could be used to sustainably cover and reuse metal ions from mining industry wastewater.

Date seed-derived activated carbon is a biodegradable and environmentally friendly material, making it a suitable choice for sustainable applications.

According to Banat, the idea came when the team found an opportunity to dispose of date seeds in an environmentally friendly way while adding value. The team found that date seeds contain bioactive compounds that can bind with metal ions. He explains, “This prompted us to conduct further studies and experiments, which showed that date seeds can effectively extract and recover metal ions from various industrial effluents and wastewater. As a result, date seeds offer an ideal solution for metal ion removal in the UAE. By using date seeds, we can address the issue of waste disposal while also providing a sustainable and costeffective solution for metal ion recovery.”

The retrieved metal ions could also be used for metal production, which could support metallurgy industry, manufacturing: metal ions can be used as raw materials in manufacturing processes, such as the production of electronics, automotive components, or construction materials, certain metal ions serve as catalysts in chemical processes, including those used in the pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries.

In addition, the retrieved metal ions could be used for energy storage like lithium-ion batteries, and water treatment: making them suitable for water purification industries, as well as in renewable energy where some metals are crucial for the production of renewable energy technologies like solar panels and wind turbines, electronic manufacturing sector ad construction.

The initial study should be followed by a comprehensive feasibility study that includes economic and technical evaluations needed to assess likely success. Ongoing research efforts are actively working to advance this technology. Should it prove to be cost-effective, environmentally sound and marketable, there is significant potential to establish it as a commercially viable solution.

The process can help the UAE and other countries with their sustainability goals. Banat explains, “By repurposing waste materials like date seeds into valuable resources, UAE can effectively reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, and implementing processes like metal ion recovery promotes a circular economy, contributing to sustainable consumption and production.”

In addition, carbon capture and utilization in the form of converting CO2 into fuels can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation goals. These initiatives not only contribute to sustainability but also yield economic benefits by effectively converting waste into wealth.