CITRUS WASTE BIOREFINERY: EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE, PARTICLE SIZE REDUCTION AND LIME PRETREATMENTS ON GRAPEFRUIT PROCESSING WASTE (GPW) BIOMASS

The objective of this work was to develop and test an aspect of the utilization of citrus waste to energy and bring this new knowledge into the classroom for secondary science education and discussion. A citrus waste based biorefinery has the potential to make the disposal process both economically and environmentally beneficial. This potential can be achieved by developing a process that is rapid, inexpensive, and productive. The pretreatment process was the focus of this research project because it makes up "18% of the projected cost. more than any other single step" in the bio-refinery of citrus waste. This step occurs in preparation for the enzymatic hydrolysis. Particle size reduction, the addition of lime (calcium hydroxide), and a change in temperature during the pretreatment can increase surface area and therefore increase the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis. Three teachers participated in various aspects of this research project over the summer. Results from their research are presented in this paper. Although the three teachers worked on the same research project, each had his/her own research objective. Each of the teachers developed a different learning module based on their research experience. The learning modules focused on AP Physics, Pre-AP Physics, Physics and Algebra. This shows the versatility of using the legacy cycle based on a similar research experience, but different perspectives, in introducing K - 12 concepts.