- I am Amy Lizbeth J. Rico, a Faculty at the Tarlac Agricultural University, Philippinesedit
Abstract: An automated reservoir temperature monitoring and controlling system for hydroponic system was developed, calibrated and validated in this study. The automated monitoring and controlling system was developed to monitor and... more
Abstract: An automated reservoir temperature monitoring and controlling system for hydroponic system was developed, calibrated and validated in this study. The automated monitoring and controlling system was developed to monitor and control the reservoir temperature of nutrient solution in hydroponic system. The greenhouse available at the Center for Hydroponics and Aquaponics Technology (CHAT) and locally available materials and hardware for the hydroponics and automation were used in the development of the system. These devices were designed and assembled based on the conceptual framework of the study. The reservoir temperature sensor sends signal to the microcontroller which triggers the turning on/off of water chiller and the mixer. The instruments used were calibrated prior to the performance evaluation and obtained calibration equation for the water temperature sensor is y = x + 0.37. Validation of the automated reservoir temperature monitoring and controlling system was done and the recorded maximum temperature is 31 °C and the minimum temperature is 24 °C. The lettuce planted during the validation has an average height of 14.61 cm and the average leaf count of 12 for the lettuce crops during the 4 th week after planting. A total of 4.78 kg of lettuce crop was harvested with an average of 20.6 grams per lettuce crop was obtained. Based on the performance evaluation and validation done on the automated reservoir temperature monitoring and controlling system, it was found to be reliable. This system becomes useful in reducing labor cost, and allows for real-time monitoring of reservoir temperature, therefore increasing farmers' crop productivity and income.
Research Interests:
The main purpose of this study is to improve the production and quality of biogas from varying mixture levels of swine manure and ground jatropha seeds. The physico-chemical characteristics, biogas yield, methane yield and total mass... more
The main purpose of this study is to improve the production and quality of biogas from varying mixture levels of swine manure and ground jatropha seeds. The physico-chemical characteristics, biogas yield, methane yield and total mass removal efficiency was investigated and cost analysis was performed. Fifteen (15) portable biogas bigesters adopted from ITDI was used. Ratio of swine manure and ground jatropha seeds used as substrates in the study were varied and served as the treatments: T1 (1:0), T2 (3:1), T3 (1:1), T4 (1:3), and T5 (0:1). Preparation of the starter and feedstock, and mixing of the slurry were based on the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards. Correlation of pH with the biogas yield and temperature of the slurry with biogas yield revealed strong relationship which means biogas production is dependent on the pH and temperature of the slurry. Based from the results obtained, T3 (1:1) obtained the highest biogas yield, methane yield, and total mass removal efficiency with values of 360.40 L, 199.66 L, and 95.77%, respectively. On the other hand, T5 (0:1) obtained the lowest biogas yield and methane yield with values of 84.12 L and 25.20 L, respectively. The addition of feedstock with ground jatropha seeds at optimum amount increases the biogas production and quality. With substrate composition of 1 part swine manure and 1-part ground jatropha seeds at 1:4 dilution ratio, production and quality of biogas can be maximized. Economically, an additional return of ₱ 78.78 can be generated from adding ground jatropha seeds to swine manure.