CHAPTER 5

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Results of Compost

The researchers obtained small samples of decomposed material during the agitation

process of a batch of organic wastes. The samples taken were during the 7 th, 10th and 15th day of

the agitated material being inside the vessel. On the 15th day, the agitated material showed signs

for good compost.

MOISTURE CONTENT

Moisture loss during the composting process can be viewed as an index of the

decomposition rate, since the heat generation which accompanies decomposition drives

vaporization.[40]

Days Moisture Content Numeric Value

7 Wet+ 50-70%

10 Wet 30-40%

15 Dry+ 15-20%

At the start of the composting process, during the early stage moisture content for good

composting should be in the range of 40-60 % this is to ensure good microbial activity.[41] After

10 days there is a significant drop in the moisture content due to the constant extraction of juice

from the raw materials during this time the moisture content dropped to an acceptable range 30-

40% moisture content. Constant drop of moisture content is good since it prevents the
decomposing materials from developing foul odor and speeds up composting time. After 15 days

it was observed that the moisture content dropped to dry+ in the range of 15-20% this indicates

that most of the moisture was extracted from the raw inputs as shown from the images above the

appearance is now brown to black which is one of the indications of good compost, since most of

the moisture content were removed from the compost the foul odor was no longer present from

the compost and the odor is comparable to forest soil.

Figure # Moisture and Temperature result after 7 days of Agitation

Figure # Moisture and Temperature result after 10 days of Agitation
 Figure # Moisture and Temperature result after 15 days of Agitation

TEMPERATURE

The temperature observation was taken three times during the composting period to

check for any increase or drop of the temperature of the compost. The mesophilic, thermophilic,

cooling and curing stages are depicted. At 7 days the temperature of the compost was at 38

degrees which was still at the early stage of composting process this high temperature is an

indication of microbial activity.[42] Further cooling was observed after 10 days, based on the

recorded temperature using the instrument, the temperature after 10 days was 36 C this indicates

that microbial activities are less during this time. After 15 days there is a significant drop in the

temperature as observed by the researchers the temperature during this time has reduced to 33 C

which is now almost the same as ambient temperature this signifies that microbial activities are

nearing its final stage. Further records were taken but there is no longer change in the

temperature of the compost thus, 33 degrees is now the optimum temperature of the compost.

Days Temperature

7 days 38

10 days 36

15 days 33

PH LEVEL

The table displays the results of monitored Ph level of the composting material. During

the initial stages of decomposition, organic acids are formed. The acidic conditions are favorable
for growth of fungi and breakdown of lignin and cellulose. As composting proceeds, the organic

acids become neutralized [43]. Throughout the experiment, the pH level is found to be around

5.8 to 6 which indicates acidity since during this stage organic acids are formed, after 10 days the

Ph level begins to neutralize and after 15 days it was observed that the pH level had a constant

level of 7 which is one of the signs of good compost.

Days pH level

7 days 5.8

10 days 7.0

15 days 7.0

Figure # pH level result after 7 days of Agitation

Figure # pH level result after 10 days of Agitation

Figure # pH level result after 15 days of Agitation

SUMMARY OF VISUAL TESTING RESULTS
DAYS pH level Moisture content Temperature (°C)

7 days 5.8 WET+ 38

10 days 7.0 WET 36

15 days 7.0 DRY+ 33

Comparing the Fabricated Composting Machine and Manual Composting

Table # Comparison of Manual Composting and the Fabricated Machine

ASPECT FABRICATED MANUAL COMPOSTING

COMPOSTING MACHINE

Procedure Prepare the raw materials, Dig a shallow hole for the
then sort the raw materials by raw materials, after digging
green and brown, weigh the proceed to the gathering of
green materials and brown the raw materials and load it
materials in accordance to the onto the hole. After the raw
70% brown and 30% green materials are gathered into a
by weight ratio. After the pile, the hole is covered and
preparation, load the wastes checked from time to time to
to the shredder for the be compared to the automated
shredding operation, after the composting method.
shredding operation is done,
proceed to the agitating
process, this process will last
30 minutes per day, the
 parameters set by the
researchers will be checked
from time to time till it shows
signs of good compost.

Time Agitating process is 30 Checked from time to time to

minutes per day until be compared to the automated
decomposed materials show composting method.
signs of good compost.

Odor Odor is not strong since The odor is strong since the
proper ratio is followed and raw materials are not aerated
juice from the raw materials and juice from the materials
are extracted through the are not extracted.
small holes provided by the
researchers at the bottom of
the discharge mechanism and
also the materials are aerated
due to the agitator inducing
air inside the vessel.

Others User friendly and easy to Manual composting requires

operate, requires less effort hard manual labor and can be
and saves time since it difficult for children and old
requires about 15 days to people and requires months to
produce compost. produce compost.

Based on this data alone, we can conclude that the fabricated machine is an effective

multi-household equipment that can turn organic wastes into composts.

Machine and Compost Evaluation

The table below shows the tabulation of the ratings acquired from the evaluators’ answers

from the survey questionnaire. Each rating is tabulated using the Likert scale show in Table #.

5- Highly Acceptable 2- Less Acceptable

4- Very Acceptable 1- Not Acceptable
3- Acceptable

Table # Tabulation of the Survey Evaluation

LEVELS OF FUNCTIONALITY OF WEIGHTED VERBAL DESCRIPTION
THE PROTOTYPE MEAN

(Gavin’s 8 Dimensions of Quality)

PERFORMANCE

The project is efficient to its purpose 4.16667 Very Acceptable

The machine meets its specification and 4.33333 Highly Acceptable

is working properly

The machine produces good compost. 4.66667 Highly Acceptable

Average Rating 4.38887 Highly Acceptable

FEATURES

The machine can be operated by a single 5 Highly Acceptable

person.

The machine is safe and easy to use. 4.5 Highly Acceptable

The machine has a guide for easy 4.33333 Highly Acceptable

feeding.
The machine can easily produce compost 4.66667 Highly Acceptable
for a short period of time.

Average Rating 4.634999 Highly Acceptable

RELIABILITY

The machine is capable of working 4.16667 Very Acceptable

without failure.

Machine parts are properly mounted. 4.33333 Highly Acceptable

It can work for a long period of time. 4 Very Acceptable

Average Rating 4.16667 Very Acceptable

DURABILITY

The frame is properly mounted and is 4.5 Highly Acceptable

safe to operate.

The parts are properly assembled and are 3.83333 Very Acceptable
durable.

The construction of major component 4.33333 Highly Acceptable

is completely installed

Average Rating 4.2222 Highly Acceptable

CONFORMANCE

Parts and components are produced in 4 Very Acceptable

accordance with standards

The construction of the major 4.33333 Highly Acceptable

components are logically arranged

Average Rating 4.16667 Very Acceptable

SERVICEABILITY

Mechanical parts are easily accessible. 4.5 Highly Acceptable

Ease of assembling 4.16667 Very Acceptable

Ease of Dismantling 4.33333 Highly Acceptable

Average Rating 4.33333 Highly Acceptable

AESTHETIC

The design of the components enhances 3.6666 Very Acceptable

the appeal of the product

The construction of the project is done 4.16667 Very Acceptable

professionally

The project is carefully designed 3.83333 Very Acceptable

especially the major components

Average Rating 3.8889 Very Acceptable

PERCEIVED QUALITY

The project serves its purpose 4.5 Highly Acceptable

Resistance to corrosion 3.3333 Acceptable

Overall impact is high 4 Very Acceptable

 Average Rating 3.9444 Very Acceptable

OVERALL RATING 4.2182 Highly Acceptable

The researchers tallied and computed the evaluators’ answers from the survey evaluation

conducted basing from the extent of acceptability of the prototype following Galvin’s 8

Dimensions of quality. According to the results, the performance of the machine scored 4.38887

which based on the Likert scale in verbal description, means that it is highly acceptable. The

machine features scored 4.6349, the durability and the serviceability of the machine garnered a

score of 4.222 and 4.33333 respectively, which is considered as highly acceptable as well. The

reliability and conformance of the machine garnered the same average which is 4.1667 which in

verbal description means very acceptable. When it comes to the aesthetics of the machine, the

evaluators scored it with an average of 3.8889 which still is very acceptable. Lastly, the

perceived quality of the machine had a weighted mean of 3.9444 which is considered very

acceptable as well. Overall, the total average of the eight dimensions of quality of the prototype

is 4.2182. The overall rating for qualities of the fabricated prototype is highly acceptable.

Table # Evaluation on the Compost Quality

COMPOST QUALITY WEIGHTED VERBAL TRANSLATION

MEAN

Temperature of compost has a moderate 4.66667 Highly Acceptable

temperature in accordance to the outside
air temperature

Color is between dark brown to black. 4.66667 Highly Acceptable

 Smells like forest soil and doesn’t smell 4.33333 Highly Acceptable
like ammonia or rotten eggs

There are little to no impurities. 4 Very Acceptable

Particle size of the compost 4.16667 Very Acceptable

The compost has a crumbly structure 4 Very Acceptable

indicative for a particle aggregation

The compost has good moisture content. 4.33333 Highly Acceptable

Overall Rating 4.3095 Highly Acceptable

Following the evaluation of the machine is the evaluation of the compost. The

researchers tabulated the evaluators’ ratings on the compost produced by the machine. Firstly,

the evaluators highly accepted that the temperature of the compost has a moderate temperature

just like the ambient temperature. It is also highly accepted that the color of the compost

produced is between dark brown to black, the compost smells like forest soil and doesn’t smell

like ammonia or rotten eggs, and it has a good content of moisture. On the other hand, the

impurities, particle size and the crumbly structure of the compost received a very acceptable

rating from the evaluators.

Machine Evaluators

Date Name of Evaluator Company Position

 June 7, 2022 Maria Victoria B. Umbac Office of the City Agriculturist II /

Agriculturist-
OIC- City

Dumaguete Agriculturist

June 7, 2022 Raul B. Aguila LGU Dumaguete Community

Development Officer

June 7, 2022 Dwight Oliver P. Arnaiz Office of the City Agriculturist I

Agriculturist

Dumaguete

June 7, 2022 Fritz Lacorte LGU Dumaguete

June 7, 2022 Claudio Ibone Office of the City Machine Operator

Agriculturist

Dumaguete

June 8, 2022 Engr.Joel O. Legaspi DOST Negros Science Research

Oriental Provincial Specialist II

S&T Center

Table # List of Evaluators and Their Profiles

Comments and Suggestions of the Evaluators

After testing and evaluating, several comments were given by the evaluators about the

prototype. Firstly, they suggested the researchers use high quality motors with greater load
capacity for continuous operation. Second, the machine has a special feature unbeknownst to the

researchers that was observed by the evaluators, the extracted juice can be harvested by installing

a funnel below the drum to be used in the process of producing liquid fertilizer. The design of the

machine was called unique by one of the evaluators who is also a machine operator. The

evaluators praised the researchers for the low labor cost, the evaluators also said that proper

wiring and grounding was a vital feature of the machine assembly. The evaluators suggested for

future studies, and to be added on our thesis recommendations, that inoculants should be added

after harvesting the compost. These are agricultural additives that boost plant health by using

helpful rhizospheric or endophytic bacteria.

Modifications of the Prototype

On a series of tests, problems and difficulties will appear, just like they do with any

other fabricated prototypes. The researchers made the necessary and workable modifications for

the machine. In this way, future problems and effects will be eliminated or lessened.

1. Improved hopper for the feeding of wastes to the shredder

During the first test of shredding operation, it was observed by the researchers

that some of the shredded waste were expelled upwards due to the high rotational speed

of the shredder. In order to address this problem, the researchers developed an attachment

for the hopper where the top back and side were covered and only the front portion was

opened so that the expelled materials will not go out from the top of the hopper.
Figure # Initial hopper
 Figure # Installed hopper cover

2. Installation of Toggle locks on the output discharge mechanism of the vessel

Figure # Output discharge mechanism of the vessel

After shredding, the shredded materials have undergone the agitating process. As

observed by the researchers, due to the high volume of raw materials and unique design

of the blades, the raw materials were pushed downward and traveled from left to right

because of this motion some of the shredded materials slipped through the joints of the

discharge mechanism. To address this problem, the researchers introduced the installation

of 6 toggle locks 3 pieces that are equidistant on each side to tighten the discharge

mechanism and prevent the raw materials from slipping through the joints during the

agitating process.
 Figure # Installed toggle locks on the output discharge mechanism

3. Small holes were drilled on the bottom part of the vessel

Small holes were drilled on the bottom part of the vessel. This served as a drain for

the juices that were extracted from the agitated wastes.

Figure # Drilled holes at the bottom part of the vessel

Power Consumption Calculations

The actual power rating (apparent power) of the 1.5 hp for the agitator is at 432 Watts

using a digital power meter. It has an operating time of 30 mins per day,

The NORECO posted kwh rate is at 11.3188 Php/kw-hr. 

The machine takes 15 days to fully convert the raw materials to compost.

Energy Cost agitator = Power consumption x operating hours/day x number of days x kwh rate

                = 432 W 0.5( hr
ⅆay )( 1000W
1 kW
) ( P 11.3188 kW −hr ) ( 15 days)
Energy Cost agitator = P 36.672912 

On the other hand, the apparent power consumption of the 1 hp shredder motor is 376

Watts using a digital energy meter. To fully shred 25 kg of raw material inputs, its total operating

time is 20 minutes. The shredder motor only operates at 20 minutes per day for 15 days. 

Thus,

Energy Cost shredder = Power consumption x Operating time x kwh rate

= 376 W ( 20 minutes ) ( 60 minutes

1 hr
)( 1000W
1 kW
) ( P 11.3188 kW −hr )
Energy Cost shredder = P 1.418622933

Total Energy Cost for the whole operation of creating compost (15 days)
Energy Cost   = Energy Cost
Total shredder + Energy Cost agitator

                              = P 36.672912 + P 1.418622933

Energy Cost = P 38.09153493

Total