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CHAPTER I

Problem and Its Background

Introduction

In today’s generation, especially in the Philippines, widespread use of Liquefied

Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking is noticeable. As of 2015 global production of LPG

reached over 292 million metric tons per year with a total consumption of 284 metric tons

every year and 68% of it came from natural gas or fossil fuel which is the main source of

crude oil and cooking gas. (Statistical Review of Global LPG, 2016).

In line with that, World LPG Association (2019) stated that, 2 billion people

around the world uses Liquefied Petroleum Gas at home for a wide range of applications,

it can be used for cars, machinery and commonly for cooking and heating food with clean

and controllable heat, it can also serve as the modern alternative traditional cooking fuel

for firewood and charcoal contributing to improved indoor quickly allowing people to

spend less time collecting firewood and curbing deforestation, but due to the high

demand of Liquefied Petroleum Gas in the world, shortage of fossil fuel is experienced

which is the main source of kerosene, petroleum and LPG (Elgas,2019).

Fossil fuels are non-renewable form of energy formed by natural processes that

was produced by the decomposition of fossils of dead organism (smore.com, 2018). It is

the main source of energy in the world that has driven modern civilization for centuries, it

contributes almost 80-85% of the world’s energy which is critically important for

everything we do (Rubin, 2019). But if the world keeps burning fossil fuel in a current

rate, it is estimated that all fossil fuel around the world will be depleted by 2060 because
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of the rapid rate of increasing demand and use of natural gas like kerosene and LPG

(Octopus.energy, 2019). Therefore, due to the shortage of fossil fuel, suppliers of

kerosene and cooking gas forces the price of LPG to soar, which makes consumers to

find some alternative source of gas like renewable source of energy.

Water is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless and odorless and nearly colorless

chemical substance which is the main constituent of earth’s hydrosphere and the fluids of

most living organism, its molecules contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms

connected by covalent bond (Britannica, 2019). Oxygen is a colorless gas that makes up

21% of the earth’s atmosphere it is a lung friendly gas which is a product of

photosynthesis (Pappas, 2014). While hydrogen is the most abundant element in the

universe that makes up 0.14% of earth’s crust by weight. It is a highly flammable gaseous

substance which is the simplest number of the family of chemical elements (Jolly, 2019).

These two elements forms water but it can be broken down by introducing an electric

current on it and a catalyst to help the flow of electricity.

Electrolysis of water is a process of splitting hydrogen and oxygen gas due to the

passage of an electric current that can be achieved by using metal and catalyst, which

speed up this chemical reaction while requiring less energy (Scitech daily, 2020). It uses

photovoltaic cells to split water molecules that can produce hydrogen and oxygen gas in

two different bubblers.

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Background of the Study

Philippines is one of largest consumer of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) that

used for cooking and heating food, as of 2016 1.43 million metric tons of liquefied

petroleum gas (LPG) were consumed every year in the country with a majority of

approximately 68% imported in other countries (Key Market Philippines, 2019).

Moreover, Tiaong, Quezon is one of the first-class municipalities in

CALABARZON where the usage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas is noticeable (Ralla, 2020)

but the preservation of environment was not observed (Cabael, et al, 2019). Since,

demand of liquefied petroleum gas in the town increases shortage of liquefied petroleum

gas supply in Tiaong also experience, that forces Tiaongin to use fuel woods and

charcoals in cooking and heating food that may lead to another environmental issues like

kaingin and deforestation (Limbo, 2020).

In addition, the use of liquefied petroleum gas and other fossil fuels emits

compounds that are harmful to the environment, the flame coming from fossil fuel is

proven to be unclean and it produces carbon dirt and soot under the cooking pan or kettle

(World Intellectual Property Organization, 2011).

With that, the Tokyo Institute of Technology (2019) have found out that hydrogen

gas from water can be used as a clean fuel for cooking with fact that hydrogen gas is

flammable gaseous substance that can easily burn, that can also improve the quality of

life, which reduces deforestation for firewood and charcoal (Scitechconnect, 2016).

Therefore, the researchers came up to a device, an electrolysis that will collect

hydrogen gas that can be used in cooking and heating food, to somehow help the
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environment by lessening the pollution and to give a safe and cheaper kind of cooking

gas that can be the fuel of the future.

Research Paradigm
Water Gather all the needed materials for
building the product after that cut the metal
Potassium sheets in to a rectangular shape the fitted
Hydroxide enough inside the container, then make a hole
on the metal sheets and in the cap of the H2BIHG:
Metal Steel plastic container then attach the metal sheets H2 Beneficial
on the cup using the nuts. Then for the bubbler
Nuts create holes on the cap of the plastic bottle and Innovative
attach a swivel elbow on it. Then connects a
Alligator clips Hydrofuel
poly tube in the swivel elbow of the bubbler to
the swivel elbow of the generators body. Then Generator
Battery
for the catalyst mix the potassium hydroxide
Plastic in the water and stirred this two (2) substances
will act as a catalyst and will help in the
container
electricity flow. After that put the solution
Plastic bottle inside the generators body, then insert the
metal sheets inside the generators body, then
Polytube screw it tightly. Then add an epoxy in the
holes of the caps for sealing to avoid any
leakage of the gas and water. Then connect the
alligator clips in the battery using wire and
clip it in the nuts connected in the generator’s
plates. Then the system of the devices will be
ready to generate.
Input Process Output

Figure 1. Generator HHO: H2BIHG H2 Beneficial Innovative Hydrofuel Generator

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Figure 1 shows the input process and output of the study. The input consists of the

materials needed for the creation of the product such as water, potassium hydroxide,

metal steel, nuts, alligator clips, battery, plastic container, plastic bottle, poly tubing,

epoxy, single burner, driller. For the processs, gather all the needed materials for building

the product after that cut the metal sheets in to a rectangular shape the fitted enough

inside the container, then make a hole on the metal sheets and in the cap of the plastic

container then attach the metal sheets on the cup using the nuts. Then for the bubbler

create two (2) holes on the cap of a plastic bottle and attach a swivel elbow on it. Then

connects a poly tubing in the swivel elbow of the bubbler to the swivel elbow of the

generators body. Then for the catalyst mix the potassium hydroxide in the water and

stirred this two (2) substances will act as a catalyst and will help in the electricity flow.

After that put the solution inside the generators body, then insert the metal sheets inside

the generators body, then screw it tightly. Then add an epoxy in the holes of the caps for

sealing to avoid any leakage of the gas and water. Then connect the alligator clips in the

battery using wire and clip it in the nuts connected in the generator’s plates. Then the

system of the devices will be ready to generate. The output would be the HHO generator

the future fuel generator.

Statement of the Problem

The study entitled “H2BIHG: H2 Beneficial Innovative Hydro-fuel Generator”

focuses to create an innovative way of producing cooking fuel and it aims to answer the

following objectives:

1. To determine the physical property of the HHO Generator in terms of:

1.1. Size
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1.2. Mass

1.2.1. Mass with Water

1.2.2. Mass without Water

2. To determine the amount of current needed to generate Hydrogen and Oxygen

from the HHO Generator in terms of Hydrogen Gas Production Rate:

2.1. 10 A

2.2. 7A

2.3. 3.5 A

3. To determine the efficiency of the use of Hydrogen Gas as source of fuel in terms

of:

3.1. Temperature

3.2. Duration of Flame

4. To test the emitted smoke of the used Hydrogen from the HHO Generator.

Hypothesis

There is no significant relationship between the type of water needed to use in the

process of electrolysis.

Significance of the Study

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumption in the Philippines is approximately

thousand of barrels per day. From the year 2006-2012 the average value for the

Philippines during that time was 21.76 thousand barrels per day with a minimum of 3.1

thousand barrels per day in 2006 and a maximum 36 thousand barrels per day in 2011
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(theGlobalEconomy.com, 2012). Philippines’ LPG yearly demand in 2016 was of 1.43

million metric tons, with the majority (approximately 68%) imported. Annual LPG

demand has increased at over 10% per year since 2014. This trend is expected to carry

on at a lower rate (between 4 and 12%) due to the growing economy (especially

manufacturing and construction sectors) and issues with energy security despite the cost

and transportation challenges of LPG (Key Market Philippines, 2016).

The empirical literature, however, provides evidence showing that the transition

from traditional to modern energy sources may not be strongly associated with

improvements in income levels. Energy stacking strategy, or the use of traditional and

modern energy sources, is being practiced in both rich and poor households. Stacking

behavior may be associated with fluctuating energy prices, variations in culture and

tradition, and may arise from supply constraints as households find it best to keep

alternative sources as backups.

This study aims to benefit the environment, since LPG is a mixture of 60%

Butane and 40% Propane at levels of 2000 ppm or 10% of its explosive limit, LPG is

considered dangerous to life and health while the gas emitted by the HHO Generator

which is Hydrogen is far safer than Butane and Propane existing in LPG.

This study aims to benefit the community since the price of LPG is continuously

increasing due to the lesser rate of fossil fuel in the Philippines and in other countries.

The result of this study will expand the knowledge in terms of water's capability

on fuel production.

Scope and Limitations

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This study entitled “H2BIHG: H2 Beneficial Innovative Hydro-fuel Generator” is

an experimental research study which focused on the capability of hydrogen gas from

water as an alternative source of fuel for powering and generating a torch and stove, it is

concentrated in determining the physical properties of the generator and the amount of

voltage and current needed to generate hydrogen gas.

On the other hand, in order to know the efficiency of the hydrogen gas as the

researcher determine the temperature and duration of flame with the use of prope

equipments , Also, it undergoes laboratory testing to test the emitted smoke of the used

hydrogen.

The study was conducted in Tiaong Quezon from November 2019 to March 2020.

Definition of Terms

Ampere - the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of electric current that is equivalent

to a flow of one coulomb per second or to the steady current produced by one volt

applied across a resistance of one ohm

Butane - a flammable hydrocarbon gas that is a constituent of petroleum and is used in

bottled form as a fuel. It is a member of the alkaline series.

Catalyst - a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself

undergoing any permanent chemical change.

Deforestation - the clearing or thinning of forests by humans. Deforestation represents

one of the largest issues in global land use.

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Electrolysis - process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a

chemical change.

Fluctuating energy prices - The term “price volatility” is used to describe price

fluctuations of a commodity. One reason that energy prices are so volatile is that many

consumers are extremely limited in their ability to substitute other fuels when the price,

of natural gas for example, fluctuates.

Fossil fuel - a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the

remains of living organisms.

Fuel - a fuel is any material that can be made to react with other substances so that it

releases energy as heat energy or to be used for work. The concept was originally applied

solely to those materials capable of releasing chemical energy but has since also been

applied to other sources of heat energy such as nuclear energy (via nuclear fission and

nuclear fusion).

Generator - a device that converts motive power into electrical power for use in an

external circuit. Sources of mechanical energy include steam turbines, gas turbines, water

turbines, internal combustion engines, wind turbines and even hand cranks.

Hydrogen - Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1.

With a standard atomic weight of 1.008, hydrogen is the lightest element in the periodic

table. Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical substance in the Universe, constituting

roughly 75% of all baryonic mass.

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LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) - a colorless gas, one of the chemical elements, that

forms a large part of the air on earth and is needed to keep most living things alive and to

create fire

Natural Gas - Natural gas (also called fossil gas) is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon

gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, but commonly including varying amounts

of other higher alkanes, and sometimes a small percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen,

hydrogen sulfide, or helium.

Oxygen - a colorless gas that exists in large quantities in the air. All plants and animals

need oxygen in order to live.

Photovoltaic Cell - a solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is an electrical device that converts

the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect, which is a physical

and chemical phenomenon.

Propane - a flammable hydrocarbon gas of the alkane series, present in natural gas and

used as bottled fuel.