Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
USING A MICROCONTROLLER
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Research Proposal
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In Partial Fulfillment
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By
Lat, Joseph R.
Introduction
Waste materials are any substances that are to be disposed after usage. Waste
these include kitchen waste, paper and other carbon based material. Non-
Biodegradable are materials that cannot be broken down into its base compound by
solutions for recycling items that cant be thrown away but be used again. Waste
in the Philippines especially in cities wherein the garbage collector oblige the
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Background of the Study
Managing solid waste has always been the problem of the Philippines since
1999. As the Philippine food establishment and fast food chain grows, approximately
In the year 2000, the government enact RA 9003 also known as The
funds, therefore, and for other purposes. RA 9003 states that food establishments
must be responsible for the segregation of their waste. Most of the non-biodegradable
materials are recycled and reused, while biodegradable materials are dumped and will
Mandatory Segregation of Solid Wastes states that the local government unit shall
promulgate regulations requiring the owner or person in charge of such premises to:
(a) provide for the residents a designated area and containers in which to accumulate
Section 22; (b) states that the solid waste container depending on its use shall be
Therefore, proponents where inspired to create the project due to the benefits
that the biodegradable can give, disposal as well as to make the most of
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food establishments through the creation of fertilizer wherein biodegradable waste
Theoretical Framework
humus. One of the major advantage in using the compost for the soil is that the
nutrients in it is being released slowly to the soil for the plants to be used.
Centrifugal force is an inertial force caused by the inertia of the object, where
motion tend to follow a straight path, if the object is applied with a continuous
sideways force it will overcome the inertia and take a curved path, which is called
applied force there is an equivalent equal and opposite force. In other words, if a rope
swinging around an object is applied with a force, the object swinging around will
provide an equal and opposite force to the rope where it will pull the rope and object
away from the center, thus the centrifugal force. (Kurtus, 2016)
electronic signal or in other words it is a mechanic device that converts the force or
weight into electronic signals. The electronic signal that the load cell produces can
either be a voltage change, current change or frequency change depending on the type
of load cell and circuitry used. A load cell is made by using an elastic member (with
highly repeatable deflection pattern) to which a number of strain gauges are attached,
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usually four (4). Load sensor works when a force or weight is applied to the body of a
resistive load then elastic member will deflect and create a strain at those position. As
a result the strain gauge will compress, whereas the other two is in tension thus create
a force or strain and then machine will convert this strain into electric signals to be
A Humidity Sensor is a sensor that sense, measures and reports the relative
humidity in the air. This sensor can measure both temperature and air moisture.
create an electric field between them. The sensor is composed of two conductive
metal plate and contains a non-conductive polymer film between them. This film
collects moisture from the air, which causes the voltage between the two plates to
change. These voltages changes are converted into digital reading and there showing
solutions have a higher relative number of hydrogen ions, while alkaline (also called
basic) solutions have a higher relative number of hydroxyl ions. Acids are substances
which either dissociate (split apart) to release hydrogen ions or react with water to
form hydrogen ions. Bases are substances that dissociate to release hydroxyl ions or
react with water to form hydroxyl ions. pH measurement is based on the use of a pH
formulated, pH sensitive glass in contact with the solution, which develops a potential
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(voltage) proportional to the pH of the solution. The reference electrode is designed to
maintain a constant potential at any given temperature, and serves to complete the pH
measuring circuit within the solution. It provides a known reference potential for the
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Conceptual Framework
Below is the figure on how the whole system will undertake the processes
needed to complete the whole cycle. The input stage includes the knowledge needed,
hardware and software to be used in the project. The process stage consists of system
analysis, system design and system development of the project and the last stage is
the output which is the Automatic Waste Segregator and Fertilizer Creator using a
microcontroller.
System Analysis:
1. Requirement
Analysis AUTOMATIC
Knowledge in:
2. Requirement
1. Microcontrollers WASTE
2. Composting
Definition
3. Organic Fertilizer System Design: SEGREGATOR
Hardware: 1. Conceptual
1. Microcontroller Design AND
2. Shredder 2. Block Diagram
3. AC Motors
FERTILIZER
System
4. Servo Motor Development: CREATOR
5. pH Sensor 1. Schedule of
6. Humidity Sensor USING A
Activities
7. Load Cell
2. Program Coding
Software
3. Prototype
MICROCONTR
1. C/C++
Programming Development OLLER
System Testing
1. Prototype
Testing
Evaluation
Figure 1: The conceptual framework of the study which includes the Input block,
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Objectives of the Study
General Objective:
a microcontroller
Specific Objectives:
machine.
heating process.
containers such as plastic cup and Styrofoam are segregated. Collected waste from
each food establishment by garbage collectors that cannot be recycled are dumped to
landfills. Waste from landfills that are dumped for too long emit methane gasses that
is dangerous to communities near the landfill; especially to those who scavenges for
trashes that they think they can still make something out of, whether by selling it or
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using it. And to the environment because of methane gas emissions, if in high
following questions:
1. How can the Biodegradable waste be more useful using the proposed
machine?
2. How can the organic fertilizer be created using the proposed machine?
3. Through the proposed machine, how will the organic fertilizer creation be
4. What are the procedures that the waste will undergo in order to produce a
The goal of the proponents in creating the Automatic Waste Segregator and
shred, mix with soil in order to hasten the decomposing process. Biodegradable
The machine is composed of load sensor that will detect if the input
biodegradable waste is enough and triggers the closing cap. Another load sensor for
soil compartment that will measure the right amount of soil needed to mix with the
shredded biodegradable waste to hasten the process of decomposing and to attain the
maximum capacity of the mixer. There will be a pH level sensor that will detect the
compost if it has the right pH level and a humid sensor that will monitor the
composts moisture. There will be a thermal heater for the mixing process.
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The soil compartment will only handle a maximum of 3Kg of soil. The type of
soil that will be used is loam soil. The maximum weight that the mixer can handle is
will benefit the following: (1) Garbage Collector (2) Food Establishments (3)
Environment
will aid the garbage collector in lessening the waste that are collected from the food
establishment by utilizing the biodegradable waste and thus will make their jobs a lot
easier. It will also reduce the risk of methane gas explosions in landfills.
The research will also be useful to the food establishment since the project is
since the machine turns the biodegradable waste into fertilizer, and to donate or sell
the organic fertilizer created by the machine. Thus, Biodegradable waste disposal will
The research will also benefit the environment since it is capable of recycling
biodegradable waste. This will lessen the dumping of garbage in landfills and thus
lessen the emission of methane gas caused by too much garbage dumped at the
landfills.
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Definition of Terms
Biodegradable waste - Includes any organic matter in waste which can be broken
down into carbon dioxide, water, methane or simple organic molecules by micro-
organisms.
Centrifugal Force - is an inertial force caused by the inertia of the object, where it
Fertilizer Creator machine that will mix shredded biodegradable materials and soil
to create a compost.
Landfill waste - wastes composed of clinical waste, toxic waste and radioactive
wastes.
Load Sensor a sensor or a transducer that converts a load or force acting on it into
an electronic signal
Loam Soil Soil composed of a mixture of sand, clay, silt, and organic matter.
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Non-biodegradable waste Materials that are cannot be changed to a harmless
Organic Fertilizer - Organic fertilizers are fertilizers derived from animal matter,
Relay Module - a separate hardware device used for remote device switching.
Servo Motor - A servomotor is a rotary actuator or linear actuator that allows for
something.
solutions for recycling items that cant be thrown away but be used again.
Waste segregation - act of dividing waste into dry and wet. Dry waste includes wood
and related products, metals and glass. Wet waste, typically refers to organic waste.
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Chapter 2
This chapter discusses various studies and literature done in relation to this
study. The proponents gathered some related studies and literature from published
Foreign Literature
wastes could be seen from the perspective of resource recovery from waste, while the
application of compost is geared towards improving soil quality for improved crop
production. The compost produced showed high fertilizing value. The developed
technique produced three times Nitrogen content of the compost produced by other
primarily known for their generally excellent corrosion resistance. The two main
types of stainless steels are austenitic and ferritic, each of which exhibits a different
atomic arrangement. Due to this difference, ferritic stainless steels are generally
magnetic while austenitic stainless steels usually are not. A ferritic stainless steel
owes its magnetism to two factors: its high concentration of iron and its fundamental
structure.
According to the study made by Andy Trigg, the efficiency of dry spinners
depends on how fast it spins. Different spinners rotating at different speeds were
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observed to determine the differences between the efficiency of different spin speeds.
At 800 rpm, which is the minimum speed, residual dampness is 70% and consumes 4
kWh; while at 1800 rpm, which is the maximum efficiently residual dampness is at
According to the study of Rodgers Hill, there are three types of low-speed
large waste materials to reduce its size. The basic type of shredder can be either
that are totally dependent on the nature and volume of the material to be reduced.
According to the study of Feng, Yao, Chen, Zhang, and Shen, performances
of the cutting tool determines the cutting behavior and process capability. Grinding is
one of the most common material removal process to achieve the desired surface
convetional agro-waste disposal is the oldest method of waste disposal where the
decomposing time is too long and causes environmental pollution. A waste shredder
machine was attached to ploughing tractor, where various kinds of blades such as,
sawing blades, rotary blades, and triangular-shaped blades where used for chipping
and powdering that will help in reducing the agro-waste and the pollution and convert
it to fertilizer.
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According to Vernier and Software technology, Soil Moisture sensor is used
to measure the volumetric content of soil. It is mostly used for the measuring of loss
of moisture over time due to evaporation and plant uptake, evaluation of optimum soil
moisture contents for various species of plants, monitoring of soil moisture content to
The prong of the soil moisturizer sensor must be oriented horizontally, but
rotated onto their side like a knife positioned to cut so that the water does not pool
on the flat surface of the prongs. The horizontal position ensures the measurement is
made at a particular soil depth. The sensor is not suggested to be positioned vertically
According to Tom Richard, Oxygen is the obvious compound to add when the
source of the odor is anaerobic metabolism. Forced aeration systems are particular to
facilities composting biosolids (sewage sludge) that has a high potential of generating
odors. These systems require uniform piles shapes and porosity to reduce the
potential for air to short-circuit along the path of resistance. In passively aerated
essential to reduce the resistance to oxygen movement. The pile must be appropriate
for both the mix of ingredients and stage in the composting process, so that the
oxygen diffusing into the pile is not entirely consumed before it reaches the center.
Odors can also be biologically oxidized after they have formed, and this is
products produced in the low oxygen center of a pile usually pass through an aerobic
zone on the way out. Microorganisms will then degrade the odors aerobically. This
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process probably occurs on both a macro scale (the pile as a whole) and a micro scale
(within individual particles or clumps), essentially providing in situ bio filtration; the
and biologically degrade pollutants. When turning an anaerobic compost pile this
advantage is lost, which is why frequent turning is not the best way to deal with an
into simpler substances that produce carbon dioxide, water, minerals, and stabilized
organic matter, called compost. Conditions that must be met for the fast growth of the
microorganisms must be maintained and established. These are: (1) the organic
materials must be well blended to provide the nutrients and support the microbial
activity and growth, including the balanced supply of Nitrogen and Carbon which is
important; (2) sufficient oxygen to support the aerobic organisms; (3) moisture levels
that uphold biological activity without hindering aeration; (4) temperatures needed by
composting process. Carbon supplies energy and growth, while the nitrogen is used
for protein and reproduction. Since nitrogen is also a major nutrient required for
plants, its concentration affects the value of the compost. In general, about 25 times
provide the right ratio which is 25:1 to 30:1 for active composting
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Microorganisms need water to support their metabolic processes and to help
them move about. The recommended moisture content ranges from 40 to 60 percent
for most materials. Below 40 percent, microbial activity slows. It ceases below 15
percent. When moisture levels exceed 65 percent, air in the pore spaces of the raw
slower decomposition.
material, measured on a scale from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic), with 7 being
neutral. Composting can work effectively between the pH levels of 5.5 to 9; however,
the process is most effective between 6.5 to 8.0. A pH level below 6 can slow
ammonia. Insufficient oxygen is often the cause of low pH during the active
composting stage, so increasing the aeration by turning the pile should raise the pH.
device (Transducer) that converts a force into electrical signal. Load cells is
categorized into two the analog and digital load cells. The main difference between
the two is that the analog load cells produces analog signal electrical signal while the
digital load cells are analog load cell with a circuit to convert this analog signals into
digital signals. The Load Cells is most composed of 4 strain gauge in a Wheatstone
configuration.
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According to Leineriza, there are different types of soil that gardeners usually
work with Sandy, Silty, Clay, Peaty, Saline and Loam soil. According to the author
the most ideal type of soil that gardens and gardeners love is the loam soil because it
contains the balance of three soil materials; silt, sand and clay. This soil has a higher
pH and calcium levels because of its previous organic matter content. Loam is dark in
color and is mealy in the hands. It has a tight hold on water and plant food but it
drains well and the air moves freely between soil particles down up to the roots.
Foreign Studies
Segregator is a machine that segregates the waste into three (3) categories: Wet, Dry
and Metal. They have use different kinds of control system to segregate the waste and
using a microcontroller 8051 which serves as the heart of the system controls every
control system in the machine. (Pushpa, M., Gupta, A., Shaikh, S. M., Jha, S., & V.,
household Anaerobic Food Digester that produces two outputs namely biogas which
can be used domestically as fuel for cooking and bio-fertilizer respectively. The
machine is composed with different kinds of sensors to monitor the temperature and
Lastly a microcontroller served as the brain of the system that process all the signals
received from the sensors to optimally control the anaerobic digestion. (Pushpa, M.,
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Gupta, A., Shaikh, S. M., Jha, S., & V., S. (2015). Microcontroller based Automatic
Waste Segregator.)
system consist of different sensors such as proximity, Infrared (IR), Moisture, Metal
Detection, and Plastic Detection Sensor to detect the materials in the waste
Controller (PLC) as the main component of the system. (Kittali, R. M., & Sutagundar,
Arduino is a technology that separates waste into three classification: wet waste, dry
waste and metallic waste. The researchers utilize arduino Nano as the center of the
system, different kinds of sensors and servo motors. Results shows that segregation
process is done properly, the wet waste contains organic waste such as vegetable
peels, garden waste and etc. dry waste include plastic bottle, paper, and etc. lastly is
metallic waste which contains safety pins, foil, keys, etc. (S, A. B., SJ, A., J, A.,
Arduino.)
A certain team in the Nehru College of Engineering and Research Centre has
created a study named Centralized Waste Segregation System which separates waste
metallic waste. The system uses a microcontroller PIC16F877A as the heart of the
system which controls every control system in the project. The system uses different
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kinds of sensor such as IR sensor, capacitive sensor and lastly Metal detector.
Capacitive sensor is used to distinguish the wet waste from dry waste and metal
detector to detect the metals in the waste. The system also includes conveyor belt and
servo motor to help in segregating the waste into different categories. (Adhrisya.V,
Local Literature
fertilizers are any product in solid or liquid form of plant or animal origin which has
challenge to g rowing LGUs is to come up with solid waste and pollution control
strategies that would effectively reduce the rubbish released to the environment.
LGUs need to combine their technical and engineering expertise, and their regulatory
programs. Finally, a good solid waste and pollution control strategy will not be an
people and institutions. As noted by several local chief executives with exemplary
solid waste programs, their strategies were not about good engineering and slogans
but rather strong political will in implementing what is good for the environment and
the people.
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In Greening of the Solid Waste Management in Batangas City by Furto, and
Reyes; Management of solid wastes in the Philippines has long been a responsibility
of the Local Government Units in the country since the enactment of Republic Act
9003 also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2002. In support
to the local government of Batangas Province, their study was conducted to propose a
plan of action that will enhance the level of implementation of solid waste
management in the city, lessen the harmful effects to the environment and health of
the people and find solutions to problems encountered in its implementation. A Likert
scale instrument was used to measure the level of implementation of solid waste
management practices of the residents and the problems encountered by the residents
environment and health of the people Data analysis made use of frequency
distribution, weighted mean and ANOVA. From the findings gathered on the level of
environment and health of the people including the problems encountered in its
implementation, a plan of action was proposed with the hope of enhancing the level
some issues and concerns of solid waste management in the city of Marawi,
Philippines. They interviewed key informants. The respondents of were five (5) City
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Government Officials (Secretary, Office of the City mayor, City Planning and
and DENR. They were selected because of their direct involvement and participation
in the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Program. They used the
government has the necessary mechanisms of how solid wastes be managed in the
personnel, funds, and also to the undisciplined behavior of the Maranaos in their
waste disposal
Local Studies
Waste Management has always been the problem of every country around
the world especially here in Philippines. RA 9003 or also known as the Ecological
Solid Waste Management Act of 2002 was implemented in the Philippines to manage
the waste by the different cities in the Philippines. A certain team in Batangas
Province created a study using descriptive survey with 204 respondents taken from 69
selected barangays in Batangas Province. The proponents found out that the residents
there is implementing proper solid waste management practices such as selling plastic
bottles to the junkshop and other scrap materials, avoiding the use of toxic and
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from non-biodegradable waste to a moderate level while improper solid waste
regarding Bio waste. The researchers found that bio waste was the one of the largest
volume of solid waste generated daily by the household and it holds also danger in
health if not reuse properly as the researchers found, thus the researcher propose that
through composting the bio waste can be reuse therefore decreasing the waste
generated by the household. These bio wastes generate methane which is extremely
dangerous to health when buried in a landfill. Bio wastes also generates leachates in
decomposition process. These leachates pollute the runoff water and ground water if
not captured and treated totally. The propose method will use shredder, sieves, metal
forks, shovels, water hoses, scales and wheel burrow in order for them to compost the
bio waste. The waste is collected through a specified place and time by the collector.
Because of these effects of improper disposal of bio wastes barangay Holy Spirit
organized its own Economic waste management group which is one its job is to
recycle bio waste material by turning into a compost making it an organic fertilizer
where the bio waste is collected in every households and transport it to the EWM
found out first that Food establishments generated biodegradable and non-
biodegradable solid wastes. Food waste is topped among the biodegradable waste
followed by paper and green wastes while plastics are among the non-biodegradable
waste generated by the solid waste generators, second food establishment stored the
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waste using plastic bags, and lastly that the food service establishments are dependent
on the city government and none of the respondents practice solid waste segregation
Sorter with Mobile Robot Delivery Waste System that can sort steel cans, aluminum
cans, glass bottles and plastic bottles with a robot that will pick up the waste. The
system consists of different kinds of sensor for different kinds of objects to be sort
along with the conveyor belt as the automatic waste sorter (AWS). The mobile robot
is consist of line following robot that is able to mechanically pick the appointed trash
bin and then collect the waste in it then proceed to the receiving end of the AWS
through the designed line path and then dump the collected waste to be sorted. (Ang,
F. G., Gabriel, M. K., Sy, J., Tan, J. J., & Abad, A. C. (2013). Automated Waste
the university and for the lack of discipline of the students as well as the faculty, the
researchers created a system that will sort the waste. (Borres, Leona, Venus, &
Visaya, 2016)
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Synthesis and Relevance of the Related Literature and Stuides
Waste management has always been the problem of every country around the
world, and the improper disposal of waste was proven to be an ecological problem
that needs a radical solution. Here in the Philippines, RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid
Waste Management Act of 2002 was implemented where it states that it is necessary
for institutions to create certain acts, mechanisms and programs in managing solid
waste. Agro-waste or agriculture waste is the oldest method of waste disposal which
is also the widely known method of disposal. Now, several waste machines are
biodegradable or non-biodegradable.
that will turn the organic wastes into a fertilizer. The group of Nithyananth, Samuel,
Mathew, and Suraj, have created a waste shredder machine wherein the waste is
The related literature and studies helps the researchers that the proposed topic
possible.
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Chapter 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the research methodology used for gathering data. It also
describes the methods of research used, the sample size, the data gathering
instruments, the description of the respondents and the statistical treatment of data.
Methods of Research
fertilizer. This method is used to interpret the current conditions and practices
correlated to the waste management and organic fertilizer creation process. It will
identify and describe the steps and procedures of the waste segregation and traditional
The purpose of this method of research is to observe and describe the current
situation. After all, the present study is concerned about the automation of waste
segregation and creation of organic fertilizer for the House of Runes Caf in Batasan
Hills, Quezon City. The descriptive method of research is selected for it is the most
The experimental method is also used to perform trials in order to meet the
fertilizer.
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Sample Size
Since the proponents study is dealing with the creation of fertilizer, the
population for this survey will be coming from the House of Runes Cafe including
their owners and workers. The House of Runes Cafe, owners and workers in Batasan
Hills, Quezon City will be interviewed by the proponents. They will be given survey
One of the establishment the researchers visited was the House of Runes Caf in
Batasan Hills, Quezon City. The researchers interviewed Carlito Marin, a store
manager in the House of Runes Caf. He explained what kind of waste they produce
daily. The researchers were able to see the establishment, the different wastes that can
be reused for recycling and making fertilizer. The researchers also interviewed
traditional way of making organic fertilizer and what kind of waste we can reuse to
Another tool used in data collection is a survey form that was recommended
by the adviser. The survey form includes questions with different choices or the
respondent may choose to answer specifically. The respondents will be the store
manager, store clerks and farmers. This is to evaluate the House of Runes, what kind
of waste they produce and how they manage the waste. Also, another survey is
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created specifically for the farmers. This is to evaluate both waste management and
and 15 questions for the respondent specialist from DENR, both questionnaire have 4
different choices per question and have Tagalog and English Translation for the ease
profession.
In this study, the proponents will gather data from store clerks, manager of
House of Runes in Batasan Hills, Quezon City and a farmer from Montalban, Rizal.
The respondents from House of Runes will serve as a guide in this study since
the clerks and manager have been on the business of Food Catering and Services and
they have already familiarized themselves on the wastes they produce. The
respondent specialist will serve also as guide in this study since they are
knowledgeable in fertilizer for crops and familiarized himself about organic fertilizer
and how long it takes to decompose a biodegradable waste to create a fertilizer to use
Interviews and survey forms will be gathered from them and will be the basis for the
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Statistical Treatment of Data
The following statistical tools will be used to examine the method that will be
calculated.
2. Percentage. The relative value over the absolute value of data will be
calculated.
Block Diagram
Organic Waste pH
Load Cell Yellow LED
Input Sensor
(Soil Compartment) indicator
Microcontroller
Load Cell
` Relay Shredder Mixer Fertilizer
Module (Output)
Thermal Humidity
Heater Sensor
Different types of components are used according to their function and integrated to
the microcontroller. A load cell that will sense if there is an input of waste and
monitors the maximum load of biodegradable waste. Another load cell that will
measure the amount of soil to be mixed with the biodegradable waste, it also sends a
signal to microcontroller to the Yellow LED that will notify if the soil compartment
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must be refilled. A shredder to crush the biodegradable waste. pH sensor to monitor
the acidity of the compost, Humidity sensor to measure the moist of the compost. A
thermal heater to reduce the time it takes to decompose the organic wastes. Relay
module to control the current passing through shredder, mixer and thermal heater
Front View (height 142cm / width 53cm) Top View (30.50 cm)
Tentative Prototype
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Flow chart:
Start
Biodegradable Loam
Waste Soil
No Is Is Loam Soil
Biodegradable? ==No
2Kg?
Waste == 2 kg?
Yes Yes
No
Is there a
Shred Bio-waste
&& Loam
Yes
Mix and
Is pH level == 6 to 8
Heat Yes
and && humidity == Organic
40% -60%? Fertilize
r
No
T End
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