Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The discoveries and inventions of past generation had unlocked the world

of unknown and brought mankind to its capabilities. Agriculture, as one of the

sectors of the Government, which provides not only our daily consumption on food

but also an essential part of our economy, according to statistics, Agriculture plays

a significant role in the Philippine economy. Involving about 40 percent of Filipino

workers, it contributes an average of 20 percent to the Gross Domestic Product.

This output comes mainly from agribusiness, which in turn accounts for about 70

percent of the total agricultural output (CIDA-LGSP, 2003). The main agricultural

enterprise is crop cultivation. Others are chicken broiler production, including

operation of chicken hatcheries (20.4 percent), agricultural services (19.8 percent),

and hog farming (18.4 percent) (NSO, 2002).

On the other hand, world’s population continues to increase over time and

the consumption and demand of food as well as the garbage (Bio-biodegradable

and Non-biodegradable) has augmented globally. Bohol is a first-income class

island province which focuses on eco-tourism. The Government emphasizes on

the preservation of our natural resources of the island, furthermore Bohol is one of

the focal point agriculture in terms of exporting coconuts. However, the fertilizers

nowadays are more chemically-based rather than being organic. In view of these

studies, the researchers come up with the idea of testing and operating a Bio-waste
 2

Crusher with Pulverizer that crushes damped and dry bio-wastes into the heater,

dries and eliminates the moisture of the load and then shreds and breaks down

into tiny pieces so that it can be utilized as a fertilizer.

This study is the continuation of the research study of batch 2009-2010, in

which the researchers developed a machine that can crush Bio-degradable by-

products into pieces in order to speed up the decomposition of the Bio-degradable

by-products and amplify its fertilizing element. In their study the Bio- degradable

wastes were crushed but it were useful as a fertilizer, rather their finished products

were flakes of wastes.

As their successors, the researchers intend to continue what they had

started. They want to produce a machine that crushes not only the dry Bio-

degradable wastes but also the damp and wet ones that can be fertilizers except

the feces.

This machine can be made possible through a heat extractor that

accumulates the moisture content of the load and after the moisture content is

being extracted it can be crushed and later on pulverized, that finished product will

be used as fertilizer.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The impact of improper wastes management in the locality is extremely

affecting. Segregating wastes from Bio-Degradable to Recyclable isn’t enough to

control the increasing rate of the waste. This can lead to destruction of our

environment, especially in agriculture, it can also lead to a discovery of unknown

 3

diseases and the worst if not seriously given an attention it can harm and

jeopardize the future of humanity.

The idea of Reusing, Reducing, and Recycling is already a known practice

that already exist. There are thousands of ways in helping the environment. There

are conventional ways on how to reuse, reduce and recycle wastes but the

widespread and popular way is decomposing it on compost pits, which is very not

suitable these days because it may take a year time to fully decompose Bio-

wastes.

On the contrary, the field of Agriculture, farmers use chemically-based

sprayers and fertilizers to their crops that can harm the animals as well as the

human. Harmful chemicals that the land absorbs can cause the land to be barren

and unable to produce good harvest.

The researchers intend to solve the problem on how to accelerate the

decomposition of bio-wastes to be utilized as an organic fertilizer that can help the

farmers and the people in the agriculture sector. The study is limited to the

fabrication and modification of the Bio-waste Crusher.

1.3 Objectives

The general objective of the study is to pulverize the bio-waste that is fed

into the bio-waste crusher with pulverizer.

1. To design and fabricate Bio-waste Crusher with Pulverizer or BCP machine;

2. To evaluate the volume flow rate of the load that is fed in the drying

chamber.
 4

3. To evaluate the temperature range to dry the bio-wastes

4. To design a thresher and determine the required revolutions per minute to

evenly scattered the bio-waste inside.

5. To design the pulverizing machine.

6. To attain the desired fine structure of the finished product.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The core of the study will benefit society taking into account that

biodegradable waste assimilation is rich in mineral and can be used as agricultural

fertilizer or soil conditioner.

The Bio-waste Crusher with Pulverizer machine is able to convert solid

biodegradable waste into fertilizer that would provide the farmers additional and

instant sources of fertilizer to their crops.

With the use of this machine the problem faced by the society in solid waste

can be lessened. This machine can minimize the large piles of bio-waste and able

to decompose swiftly, for a healthy environment.

The invention of this machine may improve the economy. Traders can raise

revenue while the farmers yield better harvest. Hence, consumers are satisfied of

the products.
 5

On the part of the researchers they will improve their knowledge and skills

in designing; hone their capabilities and improve discipline, perseverance and

fortitude as future engineers.

1.5 Scope and Limitation

The scope of the study is to improve, redesign and fabricate the previous

bio-waste crusher into a bio-waste crusher with pulverizer. It also seeks to

determine the materials needed in fabricating; the position of the heater and the

pulverizer on the Bio-waste Crusher with Pulverizer; the temperature and the time

required to dry the bio-wastes as well as the speed up of the thresher, and the

pulverizer in the machine; the bio-wastes supply to the machine; and the price of

the materials needed.

The limitation of the study is to pulverize and minimize the bio-waste. The

machine crushes the garden waste, farming waste however it excludes animal by-

products, feces, food waste and biomedical wastes. The researchers will use a

Batch- type dryer in the drying chamber. The researchers will design the

mechanism and the parts on drying chamber that will dry the load (Bio-waste). The

pulverizer will be designed by the researchers that is responsible in the

pulverization of the crushed bio-wastes. The researchers will use the four-bladed

pulverizer in pulverizing the load since it has more elements that can easily reduce

the size of the crushed pulverizer. The researchers set thirty minutes to dry the bio-

wastes. It is an attempt by the researcher to maintain control over all factors that

may affect the result of an experiment. In doing this, the researcher attempts to

determine or predict what may occur.

 6

1.6 Theoretical Background

1.6.1 Moisture Content

Moisture content, also referred to as the water content, is an indicator of

the amount of water present in a sample. Moisture content is the ratio of the mass

of water or moisture in a sample to the mass of solids in the sample, expressed as

a percentage. In equation form,

𝑚𝑠 −𝑚𝑤
𝑀= ∗ 100%
𝑚𝑠

where:

M= moisture content

mw= mass of water or moisture in a given sample , initial mass of moist object

minus the mass of dried sample

m s= mass of solid in a sample,

According to a practical handbook developed by R. Govett et al, there are

several common methods in which the moisture content of a given sample is

routinely estimated. Some of these methods namely, oven-drying method,

determining moisture content using microwave oven, determining moisture content

using electric moisture meter, and determining moisture content using specialized

devices are the common ways to determine moisture content and can only be

applied to chemically untreated biomass.

 7

1.6.2 Heat Transfer

Heat transfer according to J.P. Holman, is the science which seeks to

predict the energy transfer which may take place between material bodies as a

result of a temperature difference. Heat transfer changes the internal energy of

both systems involved.

1.6.2.1 Convection

Convection is possibly the most common mode of drying particulate or

sheet-form or pasty solids. It is the transfer of heat from one place to another by

the movement of fluids. Convection is usually the dominant form of heat transfer in

liquid and gases.

𝑞 = ℎ𝐴(𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 )

Where:

q= heat transfer rate

h= convection heat transfer coefficient

Ts= temperature surface

Ta= temperature of the air

1.6.2.2 Conduction

Conduction or indirect dryers are more appropriate for thin products or for

very wet solids. Heat for evaporation is supplied through heated surfaces
 8

(stationary or moving) placed within the dryer to support, convey, or confine the

solids.

𝜑𝑇
𝑞 = 𝑘𝐴 𝜑𝑥

Where:

q= heat transfer

k =thermal conductivity of the material

φT/φx = temperature gradient in the direction of heat flow

A= Area

1.6.2.2 Radiation

Various sources of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging

from the solar spectrum to microwave (0.2m–0.2 mm). Solar radiation barely

penetrates beyond the skin of the material, which absorbs only a part of the incident

radiation depending on its wavelength.

1.6.3 Mechanism of Drying

Moisture in a solid may be either unbound or bound. Moisture content of

a substance which exerts as equilibrium vapour pressure less than the pure liquid

while temperature is referred to as bound moisture while moisture content of the

solid which enters an equilibrium vapour pressure is equal to pure liquid at the

given temperature is the unbound moisture.

 9

There are two methods of removing unbound moisture: evaporation and

vaporization. Evaporation occurs when the vapor pressure of the moisture on the

solid surface is equal to the atmospheric pressure. This is done by raising the

temperature of the moisture to the boiling point. This kind of phenomenon occurs

in roller dryers. If the material dried is heat sensitive, then the temperature at which

evaporation occurs, that is, the boiling point, could be lowered by lowering the

pressure (vacuum evaporation). If the pressure is lowered below the triple point,

then no liquid phase can exist and the moisture in the product is frozen.

The addition of heat causes sublimation of ice directly to water vapor as

in the case of freeze drying. Second, in vaporization, drying is carried out by

convection, that is, by passing warm air over the product. The air is cooled by the

product, and moisture is transferred to the air by the product and carried away. In

this case, the saturation vapor pressure of the moisture over the solid is less than

the atmospheric pressure.

1.6.3.1 Drying Equipment

1.6.3.1.1 Tray Dryer

Tray dryers usually operate in batch mode, use racks to hold product and

circulate air over the material. It consists of a rectangular chamber of sheet metal

containing trucks that support racks. Each rack carries a number of trays that are

loaded with the material to be dried.

 10

1.6.3.1.2 Pan Dryer

The atmospheric pan drier has a jacketed round pan in which a stirrer or mill

revolves slowly, driven from below. The slow moving stirrer exposes fresh surfaces

and thereby raises the rate of evaporation and, hence, of drying. The pan drier is

a batch machine and is limited to small batches. Pan driers may be used first to

evaporate a solution to its crystallizing concentration and then can function as a

crystallizer by sending cold water instead of steam into the jacket. The effect of the

stirrer during crystallization prevents the growth of large crystals and promotes

formation of small, uniform crystals. The mother liquor is then drained off and the

crystals dried in the same apparatus.

1.6.3.1.3 Agitated Vacuum Dryer

The agitated vacuum dryer is one of the most versatile in the range and is

similar in principle to a pan dryer. The dryer essentially consists of a jacketed

 11

cylindrical vessel arranged for hot water, steam or a suitable thermal fluid flow

through the jacket for heating. Doors are provided on the shell, at the top for loading

the feed material and at the bottom for discharging. The dryers are available in

variety of sizes. The entire drying chamber is well machined to insure small

clearance with the agitator blade.

1.6.3.2 Continuous Dryer

1.6.3.2.1 Rotary Dryer

The rotary drier is basically a cylinder, inclined slightly to the horizontal,

which may be rotated, or the shell may be stationary, and an agitator inside may

revolve slowly. In either case, the wet material is fed in at the upper end, and the

rotation, or agitation, advances the material progressively to the lower end, where

it is discharged.

1.6.3 Pulverizer

Pulverizer machines are used to smash materials into tiny shards or

granules. In this study, the researchers will use the four-bladed pulverizer in the
 12

pulvering the load since it has more elements that can easily reduce the size of the

crushed pulverizer.

1.6.4 Conveyor

A screw type conveyor or auger conveyor is a mechanism that uses a

rotating helical screw that is installed within a tube or trough, to move liquid or

granular materials. Screw conveyors in modern industry are often used horizontally

or at a slight incline as an efficient way to move semi-solid materials, including food

waste, wood chips, aggregates, cereal grains, animal feed, boiler ash, meat and

bone meal, municipal solid waste, and many others. The researchers will use the

screw type conveyor of the previous study.

1.6.5 Sifter

A sifter is a device used to separate wanted elements from unwanted

materials or for characterizing the particle size distribution of a sample, typically

using a woven screen such as a mesh or net or metal. For this study, the

researchers the vibro-sifter which separates finely pulverized particles of bio-waste

from the larger ones.

1.6.6 Crusher

Crushers are devices that are designed to decrease the size of larger

objects by using force in reducing the objects into a smaller and more compact

volume. Crushing is the process of transferring a force amplified by mechanical

 13

advantage through a material made of molecules that bond together more strongly,

and resist deformation more, than those in the material being crushed do. Crushing

devices hold material between two parallel or tangent solid surfaces, and apply

sufficient force to bring the surfaces together to generate enough energy within the

material being crushed so that its molecules separate from (fracturing), or change

alignment in relation to (deformation), each other.

1.6.7 Electric Motor

The electric motor is a device which converts electrical energy to

mechanical energy. Electric motors are essentially inverse generators: a current

through coils of wire causes some mechanical device to rotate. The core principle

underlying motors is electromagnetic induction. By Ampere’s law, the current

induces a magnetic field, which can interact with another magnetic field to produce

a force, and that force can cause mechanical motion. Like generators, electric

motors consist of a stator and a rotor and the three ingredients: electric current,

magnetic fields, and something rotating. In the previous study of Lemuel Epe et.al

the researchers computed the maximum volume that the crusher can handle. In

their calculations, they found out that the maximum volume of bio-waste that the

crusher can handle is at Vmax= 8.14X10-3 cubic meter and they calculated the

crsher speed at 860 rpm. In this connection, the present research use this data

and reduce its crusher speed into 760 rpm since the present researchers wiil be

using pulverizer that has a speed up to 1000 rpm.

 14

Determining the shaft power of the electric motor:

𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 2𝜋𝑇𝑛

Where:

2𝜋 = conversion factor
T = torque (N.m)
N = angular velocity (rpm)

1.8 Velocity of the thresher

Velocity ratio for belt drive is the ratio between the velocity of the driver

and the follower (driven). This equation is useful in determining the speed of the

thresher inside the drying chamber. It may be expressed mathematically as:

𝑛1 𝑑2
=
𝑛2 𝑑1

Where:

n1 = speed of the driver d1 = diameter of the driver

n2 = speed of the follower d2 = diameter of the follower

1.9 Length of Belt

(𝐷2 − 𝐷1 )2 )
𝐿 = 2𝐶 + 1.57(𝐷2 + 𝐷1 ) +
4𝐶

Where:

L = length of the belt

 15

𝐷2 +𝐷1
C = Center Distance , 𝐶 = + 𝐷1
2

D2 = Diameter of the larger pulley

D1 = Diameter of the smaller pulley

 16

Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Organic Fertilizer

Organic fertilizers are by-products of everyday life such as manure and

plant refuse. They provide a slow-release form of nutrients that stay in the soil

longer. According to George Silva (2013), an educator, organic fertilizers have to

decompose before the nutrients are available to plants. Organics compared to

synthetic fertilizers are slower because they have to be broken down by soil

microorganisms in order to feed plants. Organic fertilizer has to essentially

decompose before the nutrients are available to plants. This process can take 2 to

6 weeks depending on many factors including soil temperature and moisture levels.

While organic fertilizers release nitrogen, potassium, potash and a slew of

micronutrients to your plants, the most significant action is the activation of soil life.

The National Gardening Organization defines organic fertilizers as

kinder, gentler way to give plants the nutrients they need. Other benefits for using

organic fertilizers over synthetics are:

 They release their nutrients more slowly in the soil, when the plants need

them, so they last longer.

 The nutrients are contained in complex molecules that won’t leach away

with the first rain.

 17

 They are less likely to burn the young roots of seedlings. Synthetic fertilizers

are made from mineral salts that can kill roots as well as soil microbes if

applied improperly.

 They enhance soil health by nurturing (or at least not harming) the soil

microbes that help make soil nutrients available to plants.

2.2 Bio-wastes

The Friends of the Earth Organization (2004) defines bio-waste as a form

of biomass. It is a waste material capable of decomposing under anaerobic or

aerobic conditions. Commercial and household sources of bio-waste include

forestry and agricultural residues, animal waste and manure, sewage sludge and

commercial food waste, kitchen scraps and garden waste, paper and cardboard,

as well as natural textiles.

According to Silvino Q. Tejada (1998), the country has been facing

serious problems regarding proper management of waste disposal and according

to the National Solid Waste Management Commission of the Philippines, the entire

country generates at least 40,000 tons of biodegradable waste daily. With the

Philippines gaining recognition all over Asia for achievements in organic farming,

the Department of Agriculture is ramping up efforts to popularize the use of bio-

fertilizers, particularly through composting as a community activity.

 18

2.2.1 Decomposition of Bio-wastes

Tons of bio-waste is obtained per year from animals and also tons of

waste produced from dead plants, dead animals, municipal waste, food waste and

house garbage etc. In general, this waste disposes off and cause pollution to the

environment. Friends of the Earth (2004) stated that there are different forms and

mixes of bio-wastes and how it is best used depends on many factors. Moreover,

waste management technology of the world today becomes more aggressive on

how to convert these bio-wastes to its finest utilization. This includes:

 Composting- It is a biological decomposition in aerobic and thermophilic

conditions (at or above 70 degrees centigrade).

 Anaerobic Digestion- It is similar to composting but takes place in the

absence of oxygen. The process produces a soil conditioner and turns most

of the carbon dioxide emissions into methane which it then burns to

generate energy.

 Mass-burn incineration- It is the combustion of waste at high

temperatures.

 Pyrolysis and gasification- These are thermal technologies like

incineration: using high temperatures to break down carbon-based wastes.

The pyrolysis process degrades waste to produce char (or ash), pyrolysis

oil and synthetic gas (called syngas). The gasification process then breaks

down the hydrocarbons left into a syngas using a controlled amount of

oxygen.
 19

2.3 Bio-waste Drying

According to AJ Garcia et. al (2005), biodegradable waste including meat

waste, fish waste, fruit and vegetable waste, restaurant waste and household

waste were analyzed and determined its compositions and most importantly its

moisture content. The analyzed bio-waste presented high moisture content which

ranged from 60% to 90%. Drying which commonly describes the process of

thermally extracting volatile substance (moisture) from given samples to yield a

solid product is necessary.

The controlled moisture in loose chemical combination forms currently as

a liquid solution within the solid. When a moist solid is subjected to thermal drying,

the following two processes occur synchronously:

 .Transfer of energy (mostly as heat) from the surrounding environment to

evaporate the surface moisture

 Transfer of internal moisture to the surface of the solid and its subsequent

evaporation due to the previous process

The separation operation of drying converts a solid, semisolid, or liquid

waste into a solid product by evaporation of the liquid into a vapor phase through

application of heat.

2.3.1 Determination of Moisture Content

The moisture contained in a wet solid or liquid solution exerts a vapor

pressure to an extent depending upon the nature of moisture, the nature of solid,
 20

and the temperature. There are different methods in determining the moisture

content of a given sample (bio-waste), the oven drying method, determining

moisture content using microwave oven, electric moisture meter and using

specialized devices.

2.3.1.1 Oven Drying Method

In oven drying method, the sample is heated under specified conditions,

and the loss of weight is used to calculate the moisture content of the sample. The

amount of moisture determined is highly dependent on the type of oven used,

conditions within the oven and the time and temperature of drying.

According to a citation of Sylvain Volpe and Lars Eliasson, the oven

drying method is slow and may sometimes not be concluded before the sampled lot

is combusted. This increases the risk of inefficient combustion and reduces the

value of moisture content determination.

Any oven method used to evaporate moisture has its foundation the fact

that the boiling point of water is 100◦C; however, this considers only pure water at

sea level. Moisture removal is sometimes best achieved in a two-stage process.

Particle size, particle size distribution, sample sizes, and surface area during drying

influence the rate and efficiency of moisture removal.

2.3.1.2 Determining Moisture Content using a Microwave Oven

A microwave oven may be used in determining the moisture content of

particulate sample (wood). The edge of the procedure in using a microwave oven is
 21

that the test is relatively quick, typically requiring only about ten to fifteen minutes to

perform.

2.3.1.3 Determining Moisture Content Using Electric Moisture Meter

In this method, an electric moisture meter is used in determining the

moisture content of the biomass. Electric moisture meters are reasonably priced,

portable, quick and easy to use, and already have widespread use in the forest

industry and the building trades.

2.3.1.4 Determining Moisture Content Using Specialized Devices

In this method, commercially produced bench-top devices made for the

express purpose of moisture measurement is used. These devices require a small

sample that is tested in the machine.

2.5 Pulverization

Pulverization, according to The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979), in

engineering, defines as the fine crushing of a solid material (to particle of less than

5mm). Methods of pulverization include crushing, impact and grinding;

compressive strain and shear are very important in these process.

The indexes of machine productivity for pulverization include not only the

weight but also the coarseness of the initial material and of the product. In order to

increase the production of the machine and reduce the repulverization of the
 22

material, the process is often carried in a closed cycle with a sorting device (sifter).

The attainment of finely crushed product is separated from the material unloaded

from the machine, and the course material returned to the pulverizer.

2.7 Drying Temperature of some Biomass

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) document

entitled “Preparation of samples for compositional analysis”; bio-waste sample

should be dried at 45°C prior to compositional determination of carbohydrates.

Similarly, while drying at 45°C, there was concern for possible residual moisture in

the feed-stock interfering with near-Infrared analysis (NIR) and carbohydrate

determination. These questions lead the researchers to study where four drying

temperatures, 45°C, 65°C, 85°C and 100°C were used to prepare samples of corn

Stover and wheat straw for NIR and compositional analysis. The researchers will

use the range of temperatures from 50 to 100 degrees Celsius.

 23

Chapter 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

The objective of this research is to redesign and fabricate the machine of

the previous study about the Bio-waste Crusher, where some parts of the machine

are to be modified and added. In this chapter, step by step process and designing

will be elaborated and explained. The following sections will present the getting of

outputs as well as the performance of the machine.

3.2 Design of Bio-waste Crusher with Pulverizer (BCP)

3.2.1 Thresher

The researchers used wire loop type thresher in order to separate the bulky

waste as well as the damped waste into pieces before it goes to the (dryer) screw

type conveyor. In this way, it is easy to dry and the heat will penetrate in the Bio-

waste. The researchers select the 240 rpm as the speed of the thresher enough to

separate the waste properly.

3.2.2 Screw type conveyor

A screw type conveyor is utilized in this process of drying, though this

conveyor was no longer changed and modified since it is functional. A screw type
 24

conveyor is used because it can bring the bio-waste upside down as it moves along

and therefore suitable for drying.

3.2.3 Control in Temperature

In this section, the researchers used the Arduino Uno. It is a microcontroller

board based on the ATmega 328P (datasheet). It has 14 digital input/output pins

(of which 6 can be used as PMW outputs), 6 analog inputs, 16 MHz quartz crystal,

a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header and a reset button. The

temperature induced also depends on the moisture content of a bio-waste. The

researchers will calculate the moisture content of the Bio-wastes specifically,

garden and farming wastes, from the gathered data will be tabulated. The

researchers will determine the temperature that will be induced.

3.2.4 Sensor

A MAX6675 + K type thermocouple is used. It is a sensor that can measure

temperature over a 1000 degree Celsius. The said thermocouple will be placed

over the screw type conveyor in order to read the temperature inside the chamber

that dries the Bio-waste

3.2.5 Heating Element

In this study, the most appropriate heating element is the Band heater. A

Band heater can be installed inside or outside a cylindrical surface. In our case,
 25

the previous study used a cylindrical shape chamber, therefore, a band heater will

be utilized. In addition, a band heater has an operating temperature up to 650℃ at

maximum.

3.2.6 Exhaust Vent

Damp wastes have moisture and since it is heated inside a drying chamber,

the researchers add and modify the chamber by putting vents which serves as an

exit of the evaporated moisture from the dried wastes. Furthermore, this vent helps

for faster drying of the chamber and prevents it from accumulating moisture that

can corrode the metal.

3.2.7 Crusher Blade

The crusher blade of this research study is not replaced since it is also

functional. In this stage, the dried bio-wastes will be crushed through this high

torque blade. It breaks and crushes wastes into pieces before it goes in the final

stage of pulverizing. The researchers set the speed of 760 rpm for the crusher

blades.

3.2.8 Pulverizer

The blades of the pulverizer in this study are purchased. The researchers

purchased a commercial pulverizing blades that can pulverized the crushed garden
 26

and farming bio-wastes. The speed of 1000 rpm will be used by the researchers.

For pulverizing the load after being crushed.

3.2.9 Sifter

This feature in the study is very useful, it is used in separating large particles

from the smaller one or vice versa, since there are difference in textures as well as

sizes, then the presence the presence of sifter is very efficient. There is only one

layer of sifter that will be utilized in this research. Sifter also serves as the size

identifier in the pulverized bio-wastes.

3.3 Assembly of Bio-waste Crusher with Pulverizer (BCP)

There are only addition in the previous research in order to preserve the

work of the previous researchers. The researchers were designing the drying

chamber, and the pulverizer for the Bio-waste crusher. Before the load (the bio-

wastes) goes to the conveyor, it is dried and heated in a required temperature so

that it will be easy to crush and later on be pulverized. The drying chamber

comprises the galvanized iron “G.I.” sheet; the heating element Band Heater; the

thermocouple; the micro-controller temperature “Arduino Uno”; and thresher.

The galvanized iron “G.I.” sheet that served as a compartment for the wastes

that is to be dried. It is where the load will be heated. Inside this compartment was

the heating element that will be connected to a switch in order to dry the load. The
 27

external part of the machine was insulated by an insulating material. On the other

hand, thresher served as a useful mechanism in order to separate properly the

bulky wastes as these are dried inside the drying chamber. An exhaust vent is used

by the researchers to remove unwanted moisture in the load, since this process

involves drying, thus there will be moisture. The researchers are also concerned

with the temperature induced by the heating element and the minimum

temperature required to dry the load, the researchers used the thermocouple that

will read and determine the temperature inside this drying chamber, and the

thermocouple is placed on the top part of the drying chamber. The required

temperature of the wastes in order to remove the moisture and if the required

temperature is reached the micro-controller will be programmed to stop the

operation of drying.

After the wastes are dried, these are conveyed to the crusher using the

screw-type conveyor to the crusher. The crusher will break the wastes into tiny

pieces or in flakes in which the decomposition of the wastes it is easy to be

pulverized. The pulverizing involves two-stage processes namely: pulverizing and

sifting. The load that has been crushed is now subjected to the pulverizer wherein

the crushed bio-wastes is even broken into finer pieces to achieve the state of

being pulverized. After in this stage the load that has been pulverized is being sifted

sing the one-layered sifter designed to separate the smaller particles from finer

particles. The pulverizer and the sifter is placed below the crusher.
 28

This proposed modification of the product will result to fertilizers that will

help not only to reduce and minimum the wastes but also to help the farmers, crop

cultivators and the Filipinos who are in the field of agriculture.

3.4 Design of the Bio-waste Crusher with Pulverizer

Figure 3.4a

Figure 4.4c

Figure 3.4b
 29

3.5 Procedures in Testing

1. The researchers collected an ample amount of Bio-wastes particularly;

farming waste and garden wastes and weighed afterwards.

2. Turn on the drying chamber and pre-heat with the appropriate temperature.

3. Gradually feed the wastes in a slow manner enough to occupy ½ of the

space inside.

4. The load that has been fed is dried in a specific temperature and time.

The researchers have to determine the drying temperature and the time

required to dry the load a separate experiment was done by the

researchers.

5. After the load has been dried and the micro-controller will immediately stop

the operation, it will be conveyed to the crusher by the screw- type conveyor.

6. Before it goes to the crusher, the researchers weighed the dried load to

determine the moisture content that has been extracted.

7. The crusher blade is connected to a motor by a belt where the load is

crushed.

8. Right after the load has been crushed, it is immediately pulverized and

sifted.

9. Seven trials were made by the researchers to see the variation the behavior

as well as the performance and efficiency of the Bio- waste Crusher with

pulverizer.
 30

3.5.1. Determining the Drying temperature to dry the Bio-wastes within

the operating time of thirty minutes.

1. The researchers will pre-heat the drying chamber at different temperatures

that range from 500C, 600C, and 900C.

2. By setting the operating time of thirty minutes the researchers will determine

the extracted moisture content.

3. Feed the Bio- wastes, the mass of the bio-wastes also varies to determine

the amount where the drying chamber can dry it evenly.

4. Weigh the dried bio-wastes after drying and tabulate the obtained data

referring at the table 3.51.

5. Calculate its moisture content.

6. The researchers will repeat the procedures until the samples are in its final

weight after the series of heating.

7. The researchers will do the same procedure in testing the remaining

temperatures 600C and 900C.

8. The researchers will determine the temperature that removed most of the

moisture content from the gathered data. Use the obtained temperature to

be your operating temperature.

9. Seven trials will be conducted by the researchers.

 31

Table 3.5: Determining the optimum temperature induced by the drying

chamber at time of thirty minutes and at different mass of bio wastes.

T0C Mass before Mass after Moisture content

entering leaving
(remaining)

500C

600C

900C

3.6 Determining the performance and the effectivity of the Bio-waste Crusher

with Pulverizer

To determine the performance of the BCP the researchers will base on

the results on the following data:

1. The electric consumption of the machine.

2. The weight of the pulverized Bio-waste it produces in a period of time.

3. The number of hours it operates in day.

 32

3.7 Diagram in designing the Bio-wastes Crusher with Pulverizer

• Determining the parts and functions

1

• Selecting appropriate materials

2

• Fabricating and assembling the machine

3

• Testing and tuning

4

• Verifying whether the testing and tuning satisfies the

yes outcome

• Results and Recommendations

5