WATER HYACINTH FIBER SORTING AND

CUTTING MACHINE FOR HANDICRAFT AND

FURNITURE PRODUCTS

A PROJECT STUDY PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

PREPARED BY
Baluyot, Lee Francis M.
Bautista, Francis Royce G.
Correa, Juan Paolo S.
Empeynado, Crystian Kobee D.C
Geraldino, Jemma O.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant of the genus Eichhornia of the
pickerelweed family (pontederiaceae), consisting of about five species,
native primarily to tropical America. In Philippines, water hyacinth is dried
and used to produce a good quality products alike and also a baskets, flip
flops, bags etc. the stalks are properly dried before being used. The drying
process is the most time consuming process. This takes about 2 days of
good sun drying to reduce the moisture content to about 10-12 percent.
The study will allow the production of dried water hyacinth to be more
efficient than manual processes. Time is one of the key factors in the
production industry. With this study, the drying of the raw materials will be
reduced to the minimum level. Rather than waiting cutting and sorting it
manually, the proposed machine will help the workers to save time.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
 OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this study is to develop a water hyacinth
fiber sorting and cutting machine with Moisture Level Indicator for
handicrafts and furniture products. Specifically, It will carry the
following objectives:

1. To design and fabricate a mechanism for the removal of the

leaves and roots of Water Hyacinth.
2. To test and evaluate the performance of the machine in terms of:
2.1 Speed advantage - rate of production as compared to manual process.
2.2 Texture Quality - texture of the hyacinth fiber.
3. To determine the most suitable area to deploy the system.
 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study must yield result to dry the water hyacinth fiber with a shorter
amount of time and will help in improving the Taguig Water Lily Livelihood’s
Center for making good quality water hyacinth fiber. This project also
promotes the proving of water hyacinth fiber processing machine with
moisture level indicator which will become more efficient and will help the
workers to save time, also to reduce the production time.
Another aim of this study is to produce water hyacinth fiber at anytime
during the year. Philippines is a tropical country with two seasons (dry and
wet). The traditional way of drying is sun drying which obviously need a
solar energy. However, in the wet season, this process will be delayed due
to the lack of main factor of the process which is the suns heat. This study
will help in this regard. During the rainy season this machine will still be able
to produce at the same rate.ystem.
 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION
The research project covers the fabrication,
computation, testing, evaluation and design of water
hyacinth fiber sorting and cutting machine. Locally
available materials will be used in the fabrication of
the prototype without compromising the design.
The study is concerned with the process of
making a sorting and cutting machine for water
hyacinth fiber only and no other material should be
processed.
 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION
The research project covers the fabrication,
computation, testing, evaluation and design of water
hyacinth fiber sorting and cutting machine. Locally
available materials will be used in the fabrication of
the prototype without compromising the design.
The study is concerned with the process of
making a sorting and cutting machine for water
hyacinth fiber only and no other material should be
processed.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES
AND STUDIES
LOCAL
FEATURES
TITLE YEAR AUTHOR
OTHER STUDY OWN STUDY

Water Hyacinth Can collect and hold up to 25 Collection of water hyacinth is

Harvester N/A DOST kilograms of water hyacinth
done manually
per load

Development of Arnold A. Azares

Karagumoy
Stripping and Jommar T. Celestial Leaf stripping of Karagumoy Leaf and Roots cutting
Abaca Fiber 2018 Jose Paulo M. Dieta and Fiber Extracting of Abaca Fiber is produced by dying the
Carl Louie B. Maturan stem of water hyacinth
Extraction Machine
Krystel Joy L. Pajo
 INTERNATIONAL
FEATURES
TITLE YEAR AUTHOR
OTHER STUDY OWN STUDY
The determination
of optimum
condition in water
hyacinth drying Asep Handaya
process by mixed Saputra Mixed Fluidization-Absorption Using Metallic Heat –
absorption drying 2017 and
Drying Method Resistant Alloys
method and Rizky Anggreini
modified fly ash as Putri
an adsorbent

C O Akendo This involved identification of

Dewatering and
the Pertinent Properties that
Drying Lawrence O.
Characteristics of influence dewatering of water Using Metallic Heat –
Water Hyacinth 2019 Gumbe hyacinth petiole and then Resistant Alloys
developing predictive empirical
(Eichhornia Ayub N Gitau
crassipes) Petiole. equations for the identified
factors
 FEATURES
TITLE YEAR AUTHOR
OTHER STUDY OWN STUDY
BERKY Aquatic Berky Mowing Cut and Collect plants, such as Cut roots and leaves but
Weed Harvester N/A Machines rooted, floating plants, algae collecting of water hyacinth is
(company) and Water Hyacinths done manually
Zhengzhou Dingli Dedicated coconut fiber dryer.
New Energy Mainly composed of hot blast Using Metallic Heat –
Palm Fiber Drying
Machine 2013 Technology Co. stove, feed conveyor, rotary Resistant Alloys
Ltd drum dryer, dust collector, and
power distribution cabinet.
 METHODOLOGY
Designing and prototyping technique were employed in
this study since there are few or no earlier studies to refer
to or rely upon to predict the outcome of the research.
The process starts with the proper selection of locally
available and appropriate materials to their functions. By
observing the products that are already in the market and
recognizing a need for innovation, the proponents were
inspired to design and develop the water lily drying
process. The main goal of this project is to decrease the
production time of the dried water hyacinth fiber compared
to the traditional way.
 PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM
Research

Identification of the Problem

Initial Design Phase

IS THE PROJECT
NO
WORKING?
Construction and Fabrication

YES
Material Selection

WATER HYACINTH FIBER SORTING

AND CUTTING MACHINE FOR
Testing and Assessment
HANDICRAFT AND FURNITURE
PRODUCTS

 
INITIAL DESIGN
 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Augu Septe Octo Nove Dece Janu Febru Marc
June July April
st mber ber mber mber ary ary h

Formulating Research
Problem
Gathering information
Making Research Proposal
Approval of Research
proposal
Making Chapters 1 to 3
Designing of the Machine
Making Research Plan
Approval of Research Plan
Consultation
Fabrication of Design
Preparation for
experimenting
Conducting the survey and
experiment
Studying the Results
Finalizing the Research
Paper
 January February March

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
week week week week week week week week week week week week

Trial 1

Cutting and Sorting Process

Reviewing the Results

Evaluation of the Machine

Trial 2

Cutting and Sorting Process

Reviewing the Results

Evaluation of the Machine

Trial 3

Cutting and Sorting Process

Reviewing the Results

Evaluation of the Machine