Table of Contents

Introduction……………………………………………………….. 2

Background of the Study…………………………………2

Review of Related Literature…………………………….4

Statement of the Problem………………………………..9

Hypothesis………………………………………………...10

Significance of the Study………………………………..10

Scopes and Limitation…………………………………...11

Conceptual Framework…………………….……………11

Definition of Variables……………………………………12

Methodology………………………………………………………13

References………………………………………………………..18

1
Introduction
During recent years, concerns about the negative effects of fuel and

coal- based power plants in the Philippines on the environment, most especially

atmospherical and anthropological, has been put into question. In 2016, it was

estimated that the Philippines depends on over half of it electricity supply to oil,

fuel, and coal combustion- based power plants. Coal leading the percentages

by consuming an estimated 35.3% of all power plants installed nation-wide.

(Department of Energy, DOE, 2016)

Coal emissions have been reported to cause certain respiratory

complications and affecting mostly children below 5 years old. Since 2000 there

have been over 1 million reported cases of children suffering from respiratory

illness such as Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia, directly

and indirectly caused by an increase of coal combustion by-product gases.

(Burt, Orris, and Buchanan, 2013)

Changes of Climate has also been affected by Coal combustion. In a

recent study conducted on 2010, Increased CO2 emissions from coal power

plants has been steadily increasing in temperature. Other meteorologically

harmful gases are also released, which are mainly variances of methane.

(Faluvegi, 2010).

Water shortage is also a very prominent issue situated in the Philippines.

In an investigation done in 2017, an estimated 16 million Filipinos has little to

no access to safe and drinkable water. Even more so the number of Filipinos

that have no access to domestic use- safe water. Although those who do not

have access to clean water are in fact surrounded by many sources of water,

2
many of those sources are riddled with dirt and bacteria rendering them

useless. (Icamina, 2017).

Since the Philippines is an archipelago, countless attempts at

hydroelectricity has been applied in certain areas of the country.

Hydroelectricity introduces a virtually infinite supply of energy. It uses natural

motions of water-forms to turn turbines that in turn convert mechanical energy

to electrical energy. In the case of stagnant water, the electricity is produced by

an impoundment system, which consist of running the water into a dam or

container where in place of natural motion, water pressure enforced with gravity

is used to run the water into turbines. (Lopez, n.d.)

In the case water filtration, countless filtration mediums are considered

to ensure quality and sanitation of the output water. Activated charcoal is a very

common filtration medium that is usually found in home systems. Its high

adsorption properties are ideal to remove particles suspended in water and

activated charcoal is also found to remove bacterium present in stagnant water.

TSS and BOD results of Activated Charcoal have been found to have up to

99% success rate. (Atabaki, Idris, 2014).

Although hydroelectricity plants with implemented with filtration systems

do in fact exist, mostly the filtration systems are mainly used to protect the

hydroelectric turbines from particles that linger in the water as it is being run

into the system. Filtration systems are rarely purposefully implemented with

filters for the sake of using the output water.

That is why we propose a pico-hydroelectric generator with integrated

water filters at both the penstock and the output water tubes providing

protection to the turbine as well as ensuring the quality of the water so that it

3
can be collected and be used for domestic purposes essentially solving two

crises at a time. Although this requires that the location has a nearby stagnant

water area.

Hydroelectrical systems consists of storing water collected from natural

water- forms and storing said water into high altitude containers or dams which

are ran through a system of tubes and penstocks which are called a

powerhouse. The powerhouse then leads to the turbine chamber which

converts the mechanical flow of the water into direct current energy. Then an

ACDC converter is used to convert the DC electricity to power grid compatible

AC energy. (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.)

Historical Background of Hydroelectricity

Hydroelectric Generators started out as permanent magnetic electric

generators patented in Belgium by Francois Nollet in the year 1841. It was first

devised to be used in steam and gas engines but was quickly thought out by

Nollet to be also useful when applied to water motors. The spread of the trends

of using hydroelectric generators started in England which in turn came into the

United States as the British were colonizing America. Once the States were

established as a sovereign nation, the technology of hydroelectricity spread

towards its colonies mainly the Philippines as it is most surrounded by water-

forms making easy access to install simple hydroelectric generators.

(Shortbridge, n. d.)

Turbine Classifications

There are many kinds of hydroelectric generators, but the most common

classification is classified by the size and the amount of power that is produced

by the generator which is usually measured in kW. But the classification of

4
generator that concerns off the grid power is a pico- hydroelectric generator

which is defined as a generator that produces a maximum of 5kW. (DOE, 2O11)

Water turbines in Hydroelectric generators vary in different ways. The

types however are separated into two, impulse and reaction. The difference in

the two are essential to determining what kind of hydroelectric generator is most

suitable according to your water source. Reaction turbines are completely

submerged in the water flow where in the turbine and in turn the shaft is parallel

to the flow of the water. Impulse turbines sit perpendicular to the flow of the

water where it converts the jet stream of water to kinetic energy. In this system

requires high water pressure supplied by impoundment hydroelectric

generators. (editors of practical action technology, 2O13)

Figure 1: Impulse turbine( (editors of practical action

technology,2O13)

Figure 2: Reaction turbine

(editors of practical action technology, 2O13)

5
 Efficiency of Hydroelectricity

The efficiency of hydroelectric generators depends on the flow rate,

water pressure and the if the generator is an impoundment types the dam head

diameter. There is a basic efficiency formula that can be applied to most if not

all kinds of hydroelectric generator. The formula that follows is

P = 9.81 x Q x H (kW)

Where in Theoretical power (P) = Flow rate (Q) x Head (H) x Gravity (g),

when Q is in cubic metres per second, H in metres and g = 9.81 m/s2 t.

Hydroelectricity Classifications

There are many types of hydroelectric generators that are used in the

Philippines but the most commonly constructed are called, “Impoundment”

hydroelectric generators. This type of hydroelectric generator is often used in

water- forms which have relatively low rates of natural movements or flow. The

water is fed to a storage container that is located in high altitude where gravity

helps the water pressure to increase as it is ran through a pipe that leads to the

turbine chamber. Impoundment are used in often big-scale system, though

smaller and more privately manageable models have been found to be

effective. (Lopez, n.d.).

Regular investigations of both private and government power

distributors have measured the efficiency of certain types of hydroelectric

generators. Pico- Hydroelectric generators have been found to have an output

energy of about a few hundred watts to 5 kW of electricity. Pico- hydroelectric

generators are usually found used in remote areas where minimal electricity

usage is present. (practical action technology, 2O13).

6
Health Issues concerning Coal Combustion

Coal emissions from power plants and other establishments that highly

use coal have been found to affect the respiratory system in more than one

region. Microscopic debris can enter the lungs of children 5 years old and below

and suffer respiratory conditions that lead to more serious diagnoses because

of lack of a steady intake of oxygen. Over 158 million people located in east

Asia are exposed to harmful amounts of coal emissions from coal combustion

power plants. (Burt, Orris, Buchanan, 2O13)

Sanitized Water Shortage in the Philippines

Inability to access a source of clean water is a big problem to remote

areas of the country. Children are raised in communities surrounded by different

water-forms yet the water in them are not suitable for any kind of domestic use.

For the past decade over 16 million reported cases of people who don’t have

steady access to clean water. (Icamina, 2O16)

Activated Charcoal

Activated Charcoal is a common filtration medium. It is used not only

water filtration but also in cleansing crevices in skin. Activated Charcoal is

commonly used for cleansing microscopic particles and bacteria because of its

high adsorption rate that is essential to any filtration medium. Activated charcoal

has been found to be best for water with high particle suspension counts and

those with high turbidity, which in essence is unclear and murky water. (Atabaki,

January 2O13)

7
Figure 3: Molecular screening in the micropores of an activated carbon

(Atabaki, n.d.)

Total suspended solids (TSS)

Total suspended solids (TSS), which is the dry weight after filtering a

water sample, expressed in mg per liter. To determine a suspended sediment

load (mass/time), the TSS concentration must be multiplied by the flow rate

(volume/time). Suspended load includes the particles in suspension in the water

column, but excessive sediment can be carried into streams and rivers from

erosion of unstable streambanks, construction sites, agricultural activities, and

urban runoff. (Brown, Caldwin, n. d.)

Biological oxygen demand (BOD)

Biological oxygen demand (BOD), also known as biochemical oxygen

demand, is a bioassay procedure that measures the dissolved oxygen (DO)

consumed by bacteria from the decomposition of organic matter. The BOD

analysis is an attempt to simulate by a laboratory test the effect that organic

material in a water body will have on the DO in that water body. Biochemical

oxygen demand values are a measure of food for naturally occurring

microorganisms or, in other words, a measure of the concentration of

8
biodegradable organic material. Biological oxygen demand is an important

water quality parameter because it greatly influences the concentration of DO

that will be in the water. The Q-value curve for BOD used in calculating a water

quality index2 illustrates the relationship between BOD and water quality—the

higher the BOD, the lower the water quality. (PASCO, n.d.)

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to design and construct a Pico- hydroelectric generator

that simultaneously produces off grid power and outputs domestic use-safe

water with the use of implemented charcoal water filters located in the penstock

and output water pipe. This study also aims to answer the following:

1. How efficient is the hydroelectricity system in terms of its?

a. Flow rate (ml/s);

b. Water pressure (psi);

c. Output power (W);

2. How effective are the implemented water filters in terms of output

water’s?

a. Total Suspended Solids;

b. Biological Oxygen Demands;

3. Is there difference between the efficiency of the generator with and

without the filtration modules?

Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant difference in the TSS and BOD of the water

samples before and after being ran through the system.

9
Scope and limitation

This study is composed of both electric and water quality tests, although

there are other tests that can be done to endure the quality of water such as

turbidity, the tests that are in the scope of are TSS and BOD. Also note that this

study is limited to sample water located at nearby areas. In this study the

researcher’ s are limited to the producing only off the grid power as the creation

of a hydroelectric system that is connected to commercial energy systems is

beyond the researcher’s capabilities.

It is also important to note that the prime state of quality of the output

water in this study is only at Class B meaning that the water can be used for

domestic uses at the least, This study only aims water that can be used in basic

cleaning and washing purposes and not water samples that can be used as

drinking water such as distilled and mineral water.

The study’s outreach is to run unsanitary water through the hydroelectric

system while hopefully removing the water’s visible dirt and bacteria. The

measurements of efficiency of the system are as follows: flow rate, water

pressure, efficiency formula. Other modes of determining efficiency are not

present in this study.

Significance of the Study

The problem of water shortage is not only an issue present in the country but

on most of the world. Water being a basic need in survival of human beings,

the in-access to a clear and reliable source of it poses a big problem. Although

people are surrounded by water-forms most of the time water is contaminated

and therefore impossible for human purposes.

10
 Although some do have at least a temporary access to clean water the

water that they have access to is usually of small quantities. And the likelihood

that people will take priority on cleaning and washing is very unlikely because

it is of common sense that they will priorities drinking water therefore causing

unsanitary conditions. This study will provide people in remote areas an access

to cleaning and washing water or more referred to as Class B water that will

ease their supply of water.

On the other hand, a reliance to coal- based power plants are a growing

not noticed by the public. With excessive coal emissions proven to cause

respiratory problems especially in children and the rising population of the

country mostly composed of children the problem poses an issue for most of

the country. That is why renewable sources of energy are crucial to ensure the

well-being of the country and a hydroelectric generator that supplies domestic

use-safe water will lessen both of the problems effects while providing time for

the construction of a more permanent solution.

Conceptual Framework

Hydroelectric-Filtration System

With the Filtration Modules Without the Filtration Modules

Preliminary Water Tests” Efficiency tests:

TSS, BOD Water pressure
Flow rate
Output power
Efficiency tests:
Water pressure
Flow rate Post Water Tests”

Output power TSS, BOD

11
 The experimentation is divided into two sections. One of the sections

are the tests with the generator without the filtration modules. This section

only concerns the efficiency tests that are listed above in the framework. The

data collected here ill serve as control data to compare with the second

section

The second section concerns the generator when it is implemented

with the filtration modules but before testing starts a set of preliminary tests

are conducted to the raw and contaminated water from which will serve as

control data after this is done the efficiency test are conducted and the data is

compared and recorded.

Definition of Terms and Variables

Input water. refers to the raw and contaminated water that has not been

ran through the system.

Output water. supposedly cleaner water that is the finished product of

the machine.

Flow rate. Will be used by the researchers to measure the efficiency of

the system to distribute water.

Water pressure. the amount of pressure that is present when the dam if

full of input water,

Output power. refers the amount of energy that the produce by the

generator. It will be used to measure the efficiency of the system to produce

energy.

Total Suspended Solids or TSS. Amount of suspended particles present

in both the input and the output water. It will be used to determine the filtration

capabilities of the filter module

12
Methodology
Phase 1
Gathering of Materials:
PVC pipes
PVC water container
Impulse Water Turbine
Activated Charcoal

Phase 2
Construction:
Hydroelectric Generator
Activated Charcoal Filter Modules

Phase 3
Water Pre-Testing:
BOD
TSS

Phase 4A Phase 4B
Generator Efficiency Tests Water Post- Testing
Output Power BOD
Flow Rate TSS

13
Phase 1- Gathering of Materials

The researcher’s will purchase the following materials at a local

hardware store located at Libertad, Pasay City:

PVC pipes with widths of 20mm will be bought with varying lengths of

approx. 10 – 20 cm. A 20mm female thread converter pipe will also be bought

along with a 20mm male coupling. For the barrel of the Activated Charcoal

Water Filter, a 50mm PVC pipe of approx. 15cm in length and a 20mm to 50mm

PVC pipe width converter to connect the filter the rest of the system.

The water turbine with an Output Voltage of 12V, an inner diameter of

13mm and an outer diameter of 20mm. The water turbine will be bought online

on the OEM brand.

A Generic plastic frame will also be bought in a local furniture store with

an approximate height of .8m. The frame will support the system and will be

modified to ensure that it will fit the generator precisely.

Phase 2- Construction

A. Construction of the Generator:

The Construction of the generator will start with the frame which will

consist of measuring the outer diameter of the pipes to ensure that the holes

made in the frame will fit accordingly. The next step would be to continue the

holes to the PVC water containers both above and below. Then, the PVC pipes

will be cut accordingly and will be tested if the above-mentioned pipes fit

together. Two pipes will run down the input container which will converge into

a 50mm vertical pipe with the use of two female elbow thread and a triple male

14
PVC coupling. The following vertical pipe will be connected yet again into an

elbow pipe and then to a double male to female coupling which will be

connected to the water turbine.

After the water turbine, a female coupling will connect the turbine

to another elbow pipe that leads to a 50mm vertical pipe that will drop of the

water into the output water reservoir.

Figure 4: Conceptual Sketch of the System

B. The Construction of the Activated Charcoal Water Filter

Two 50mm PVC pipes will be prepped for the Filter by adding a 50mm

to 20mm PVC converter at the edge. A wire mesh will also be added to the

interior edge of the pipe. The addition of the mesh is a pre-cautionary addition

to ensure that activated charcoal particles won’t continue pass the filter.

Phase 3: Preliminary Water Tests

Samples of estero water from M. Dela Cruz, Pasay City. Three reagent

bottles of approximately 1 liter will be filled and be sent to NCALABS in

Magallanes, Makati City to be tested for BOD and TSS. Note that the

15
researchers will not be personally involved in the testing, as the researchers

were advised to, especially with concern to the researcher’s lack of proper

laboratory experience.

Phase 4A: Generator Efficiency Tests

The first efficiency test that will be done is the output power, the current

will be monitored with a multimeter throughout the entire span of filling the

output reservoir. The current will be recorded for every minute in the span of

the test. The next test, flow rate, will be done by using a flow sensor with

dimensions identical to that of the generator module and will also be monitored

that same way as that of the output power. All the tests will be repeated 3 times.

Phase 4B: Post Water Testing

As with the preliminary water tests, the same procedure i.e. collection of

water into three reagent bottles, will also be utilized but instead of acquiring the

water directly from the source, the water will be collected from the filled output

reservoir.

BOD Procedure

Completely fill two BOD bottles with dilution water.

Into additional BOD bottles, The researchers will partially filled with dilution

water, The researchers will carefully measure out the proper volume of sample.

Add dilution water until the bottles are completely filled.

The researchers will stopper each bottle taking care to avoid trapping air

bubbles inside the bottles as the bottle stoppers are inserted.

16
Then the researchers will fill the top of each bottle neck around the stopper with

dilution water.

After that, the researchers will determine the initial DO content on one of each

set of duplicate bottles, including the dilution water blank by one of the approved

methods and record data on the lab sheet.

The researchers will lace the remaining bottles in the incubator at 20°C and

incubate for five days.

At the end of exactly five days (+/ 3 hours), the researchers test the DO content

of the incubated bottles.

The researchers will calculate the BOD for each dilution. The most accurate

BOD will be obtained from those dilutions that have a depletion of at least 2

mg/L DO and at least 1.0 mg/L DO residual. If there is more than one dilution

that meets these criteria, the BOD results should be averaged to obtain a final

BOD value.

The dilution water blanks are used only by the researchers to check the quality

of the dilution water. If the quality of the water is good and free from impurities,

the depletion of DO will be less than 0.2 mg/L

The researchers will observe the results of the nitrification inhibited samples as

CBOD5 and uninhibited samples as BOD5.

Calculation:

To determine the value of the BOD in mg/L, the researcher’s used the following

formula:

17
BOD, mg/L = [(Initial DO Final DO) x 300]/mL sample

Data Collection

The independent means of both the pre and post tests of the BOD and TSS

test will be applied to separate paired sampled t-test with p-value of 0.05. In the

efficiency tests of the generator however will be subjected to the hydroelectric

effiency coefficient and repeated for every individual trial. The trials will then be

averaged and applied to a paired sampled t-test also with a p-value of 0.05.

18
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