Preparation for Presentation.

Tittle        : Choosing a poster

Objective : To produce and to choose a perfect poster for presentation final year project.


I have designed a poster which is a must for every final year project student. The poster must have, introduction, objective, methodology and conclusion. There are two different color that i have made to show to my supervisor ( Miss Pusparini Dewi) and i let her choose which one of the color of the poster that i should use. So, here's the posters i've designed.

Poster 1

 

 



Poster 2

 

 

So, after i showed to my supervisor and we had a short discussion, poster 1 is chosen as it looks more formal than poster 2. I would like to say thank you  to my supervisor who always guide me and teach me the right way of doing a project, proposal and also poster. :)

Blower is used as a replacement.

 

Tittle        : Measure the output

 

Objective : To measure the output voltage.

 

 

As a replacement for biogas, blower is used to show that the turbine is moved with maximum output voltage which is around 0.1V. When the blower is turn on, the blade is moved thus produced voltage that is measured by usiing digital multimeter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here, i attached a video that i recorded to show the turbine moves and the output voltage produced from the turbine that is measured using multimeter.  

 

 

 

Combustion is made

Tittle        : Combustion Process

Objective : To show the combustion process and the results.

Due to the unsuccesful of fermentation process under thermophilic digestion within ( 50 - 65 degree celcius), combustion is made to make the production of biogas faster. The current temperature reading is 25 degree celcius which is not under thermophilic digestion.

 

 

 

 

From the combustion process, the gas is supposely comes out through the nozzle and it flows through the tube and finally to the bottle that contained water. In this process, the pressure of the gas is high and it surely can moves the turbine. Unfortunately, there was a leakage at the handle of the cooker and the gas was comes out from the small hole at the handle.  

Does bubbles appear?

Tittle        : New Design and Result

 

Objective : To show the new designed and the results of applied this new method.

 

From the previous post, i've sketched the picture of the cooker with the water bag. So, here is the actual picture of my project.

 

 

 

As been shown above, a bottle is used as a replacement of water bag. It is easy to fill water in the bottle. The bottle that filled with water is connected to the nozzle of the pressure gauge by using small transparent tube.

 

This is the method to prove the presence of gas from the waste garbage in the pressure cooker. If there is bubbles appear in the water, it means gas is exists and this project is successfully prove that waste garbage did produce biogas that can be used to produce electricity. Unfortunately, there was no bubbles appear in the bottle. This is due to the duration of the fermentation process that takes about 6 months to decompose.

Method changed..

 

Tittle        : Method Changed

Objective : To explain another method ofg getting result

 

Due to some problem where the waste does not produced biogas in a large volume, the reading of pressure cannot be taken. So, i try to change the method whereby water bag/ bottled water is used to prove the presence of biogas. It is placed at the nozzle of the pressure gauge.

 

 

About the turbine, i will used "something" as a replacement of the biogas to moves the turbine. At first, i was thinking to blow it so that it moves and gives output. But, after some thinking, it is not practical and is not a proper way to make because i have to show/demo to my accessors during presentation of final year project. So, i will find out a suitable material/hardware that can be used to moves the turbine. Below is a sketching of the designed of the turbine.

 

 

Sealed~~

Tittle        : Sealed Suspected Area

 

Objective : To seal at the suspected area that caused leakage 

 

The suspected area around the lid that cause leakage has been sealed using "Epoxy Super Strength Steel".

 

 

Epoxy adhesive is applied arround the lid

the gap that cause leakage

the gap is sealed

 

Leakage ~

Tittle        : Leakage

Objective : To close the leak that occured

 

For the past two weeks, i had put the waste inside the cooker and i've found out there was a leakage. The leakage was detect by the smell of the yeast but i am not sure where the smell came from. So, i just assume the leakage was came from the pressure gauge and safety over pressure tube. To solve this problem, i closed this leakage using "Epoxy Super Strength Steel".

 

 

 

 

After a few hours waiting, i go to check if there is still a leakage. Unfortunately the smell is still there. So, probably the leakage is came from the lid of the cooker and i have to seal it soon.

New Turbine.

Tittle        : New Turbine

 

Objective : To justify the reason of not using homebuilt turbine

 

 

After find out that the turbine i've made before this cannot be used because the motor is so heavy. I have to use a very light motor that can turn even if i just blow it. So, this is the turbine that i get from miss Pusparini Dewi.

turbine (cannot be used)

new turbine

 

 

The problem here is i still get the same output for the new turbine and it can only produce about a.iv(maximum). So, i have to find suitable boost circuit that required lowest input voltage for this turbine. Unfortunately, i cannot find it. So this is my big problem in this project but i am trying to solve this problem.

 

Put the waste inside the cooker!!

Tittle        : Filled the pressure cooker

 

Objective : To fill the waste garbe into the pressure cooker

 

 

To complete this process i need to make sure i have a hygiene protection procedures. I had bought gloves and masks to do this process to avoid smell form the waste but no matter what i still can smell the yeast. In this process, i used many materials and i took a picture while i'm doing this process.

 

 

 

yeast

 

 

 

smelly yeast

box(soil n food waste)

 

 

 

mask

gloves

 

 

scale

 

empty cooker

 

 

I had put all the food waste, soil and yeast inside the cooker but i did not take a picture due to the smell. Actually, i have no one to help me take a picture and at that time my hand is dirty. Finally, i have sealed the waste.

Connect temperature gauge at cooker lid

Tittle        : Tick temperature gauge on the cover lid of the cooker

 

Objective : To attach the temperature gauge by by using adhesive.

 

 

 

After my supervisor (miss puspa) told me to try open the nut form the cooker lid, i try to open it by using long nose and i did it. There was a hole that ican put my temperature gauge inside without drill it. So, one of my problem is settled. I bought a glue to stick it on the cooker lid. The first glue i used is RED RTV Silicone where the glue color is red. After waited about 15minutes i discovered that the glue is not strong enough to stick the gauge.

 

 



 

 



Then, the next day i went to hardware shop to buy another glue that is strong enough to stick the gauge. After few minutes finding the right glue, i found  this "EPOXY SUPER STRENGTH STEEL" that need about 1 hour to make sure the glue is dry enough and completely stick to the lid. The differences about this glue is there are 2 glue that has to mix together before apply it to the surfaces and the result is excellent. It just i had forgotten to take the picture where the gauge is stickon the cooker lid.

 

 

 

 

Temperature gauge

Tittle       : Temperature gauge

 

Objective : To show the temperature gauge that is going to be used in this project.

 

 

This is one of the equipment that is hard for me to find. Actually, i prefer to use temperature gauge sensor where it can detect temperature using sensor and i was thinking to use digital temperature gauge so it is easier to take the value. I went to several shops including car accessories shop to find this gauge but unfortunately i cannot find it. So, i just bought common temperature gauge at Ace hardware that is used for cooking.

 

 

 

 

So this gauge will be placed at the top of cover lid of the cooker to measure inner temperature. I will update the progress when this gauge is successfully construct.

Gas regulator

Tittle        : Gas Regulator/Pressure Gauge

 

Objective : To show the gas regulator has been drilled on the cover lid of the cooker

 

 

After i bought a gas regulator to be drilled on the cooker lead, i found out it cannot be used due to some reasons. First, the gas regulator contains valve where it cannot be drilled without a socket like a gas tank in our house. So, i have to use gas pressure regulator.

 

 

 

 

Based on the picture above, the gauge is drilled on the cover lid of the cooker. So, this part is complete. Biogas will comes out from the nozzle.

Turbine

Tittle        : Turbine

Objective : To show that DC motor is connected to the blade.

 

After several trial to get perfect blade, finally i decided to sent the actual blade and motor to be drilled at welding shop beside Masjid Zakaria, gombak. I have tried to make it by own but because of the material cannot be drilled using solder and i do not have the right tools so i cannot do it. Leave it to the expert :)

 

 

 

There was a black spot in the middle of the blade due to unsuitable material used. This is not a complete turbine. I have to change the design of the blade if it is not works. 

Motor

Tittle        : The Chossen DC Motor

 

Objective : To prove that DC motor is bought.

 

 

I had bought a dc motor at Nixie, Jalan Pasar which cost RM18.00. A 12V DC motor is a suitable for this project that will produce small value of voltage. This type of motor is common used for projects and the price is not expensive as it always been used for most of electronics equipments.

 

This is a dc motor.

 

 

 

specifications of the motor

 

This motor will be connect to the blade that is designed. Then, it will be tested and checked whether it can be used as a turbine for Smart-BioBin project.

Homebuilt Blade

Tittle        : How to Make Blade form Tin Can

Objective : To show the process on making blade from tin can

In this project, blade is used to move shaft to drive the motor. I have to make my own blade because there is no readymade blade that is suitable for this project. The material has to be light and heat resistant because i am dealing with 50-68 degree celcius gas which is quite hot. So what i can use is

tin can which is easy to get. To make the blade, i have to used tin opener and tin cutter.

 

 

 

tin opener

 

 

tin cutter

 

this is the blade :)

 

 

 

Actually, this is my first trial. So the blade looks non-symmetry. The actual blade i will upload in next post. 

 

 

Type of Converter

Tittle        : Type of Converter

Objective : To clarify the circuit converter


There are many type of converter. So, for this project, i will use boost converter which convert DC -DC voltage.

I had bought the components at Jalan pasar. the circuit i chose for this type of boost converter is 6V to 12V dc-dc converter using 555 timer IC. The components used for this project are:

1. R1 - 2 kilo ohms 1/4W
2.R2 - 5 kilo ohms 1/4W
3.R3 - 2.7 kilo ohms 1/4W
4.R4 - 22 ohms 1/4W
5.C1 - 220nF
6.C2 - 100nF
7.C3 - 1000uF ( higher the better) electrolytic capacitor rated 16V
8.L1 - 40 to 60 turns #20AWG in ferrite antenna bar
9.D1 - 4A rated diode or higher
10.DZ - 1N5242B or 12V zener diode (1W)
11.Q1 - TIP41C or two parallel 2N2222, or NPN transistor (min 3W power)
12.Q2 - 2N3055 or similar NPN power transistor
13.Q3 - TIP41C or 2N3055
14.555 timer IC


Below is the picture of converter circuit.

 

 

 

So this circuit is choosen to be used as a converter. But it has not be construct completely and test yet due to some problems at main part of this project (waste garbage).

Gas Turbine?

Tittle        : Gas Turbine

Objective : To explain the used of gas turbine,


For this project, a gas turbine is used to produce mechanical energy and it will be converted to electrical energy. There are few types of gas turbine that can be used. After did some research, i found a gas turbine that is suitable for my project which is microturbine. The advantages and explanation of microturbine are shown below.

Explanation

Microturbines are becoming widespread for distributed power and combined heat and power applications. They are one of the most promising technologies for powering hybrid electric vehicles. They range from hand held units producing less than a kilowatt, to commercial sized systems that produce tens or hundreds of kilowatts.

Part of their success is due to advances in electronics, which allows unattended operation and interfacing with the commercial power grid. Electronic power switching technology eliminates the need for the generator to be synchronized with the power grid. This allows the generator to be integrated with the turbine shaft, and to double as the starter motor.
Advantages
Microturbine systems have many advantages over reciprocating engine generators, such as higher power density (with respect to footprint and weight), extremely low emissions and few, or just one, moving part. Those designed with foil bearings and air-cooling operate without oil, coolants or other hazardous materials. Microturbines also have the advantage of having the majority of their waste heat contained in their relatively high temperature exhaust, whereas the waste heat of reciprocating engines is split between its exhaust and cooling system.

However, reciprocating engine generators are quicker to respond to changes in output power requirement and are usually slightly more efficient, although the efficiency of microturbines is increasing. Microturbines also lose more efficiency at low power levels than reciprocating engines.

They accept most commercial fuels, such as gasoline, natural gas, propane, diesel, and kerosene as well as renewable fuels such as E85, biodiesel and biogas.

Microturbine designs usually consist of a single stage radial compressor, a single stage radial turbine and a recuperator. Recuperators are difficult to design and manufacture because they operate under high pressure and temperature differentials. Exhaust heat can be used for water heating, space heating, drying processes or absorption chillers, which create cold for air conditioning from heat energy instead of electric energy.

Typical microturbine efficiencies are 25 to 35%. When in a combined heat and power cogeneration system, efficiencies of greater than 80% are commonly achieved.

So, the type of gas turbine will be consider whether it is suitable or not for Smart-BioBin.

Nozzle....

Tittle        : Definition of Nozzle

Objective : To know the function of nozzle and the characteristics.

What is nozzle??

 
A nozzle is a device designed to control the direction or characteristics of a fluid flow (especially to increase velocity) as it exits (or enters) an enclosed chamber or pipe via an orifice.
A nozzle is often a pipe or tube of varying cross sectional area, and it can be used to direct or modify the flow of a fluid (liquid or gas). Nozzles are frequently used to control the rate of flow, speed, direction, mass, shape, and/or the pressure of the stream that emerges from them.

There are many types of nozzle that was create.

1. Jet
A gas jet, fluid jet, or hydro jet is a nozzle intended to eject gas or fluid in a coherent stream into a surrounding medium. Gas jets are commonly found in gas stoves, ovens, or barbecues. Gas jets were commonly used for light before the development of electric light. Other types of fluid jets are found in carburetors, where smooth calibrated orifices are used to regulate the flow of fuel into an engine, and in jacuzzis or spas.
Another specialized jet is the laminar jet. This is a water jet that contains devices to smooth out the pressure and flow, and gives laminar flow, as its name suggests. This gives better results for fountains.
Nozzles used for feeding hot blast into a blast furnace or forge are called tuyeres.

2.High velocity
Frequently the goal is to increase the kinetic energy of the flowing medium at the expense of its pressure and internal energy.
Nozzles can be described as convergent (narrowing down from a wide diameter to a smaller diameter in the direction of the flow) or divergent (expanding from a smaller diameter to a larger one). A de Laval nozzle has a convergent section followed by a divergent section and is often called a convergent-divergent nozzle ("con-di nozzle").
Convergent nozzles accelerate subsonic fluids. If the nozzle pressure ratio is high enough the flow will reach sonic velocity at the narrowest point (i.e. the nozzle throat). In this situation, the nozzle is said to be choked.
Increasing the nozzle pressure ratio further will not increase the throat Mach number beyond unity. Downstream (i.e. external to the nozzle) the flow is free to expand to supersonic velocities. Note that the Mach 1 can be a very high speed for a hot gas; since the speed of sound varies as the square root of absolute temperature. Thus the speed reached at a nozzle throat can be far higher than the speed of sound at sea level. This fact is used extensively in rocketry where hypersonic flows are required, and where propellant mixtures are deliberately chosen to further increase the sonic speed.
Divergent nozzles slow fluids, if the flow is subsonic, but accelerate sonic or supersonic fluids.
Convergent-divergent nozzles can therefore accelerate fluids that have choked in the convergent section to supersonic speeds. This CD process is more efficient than allowing a convergent nozzle to expand supersonically externally. The shape of the divergent section also ensures that the direction of the escaping gases is directly backwards, as any sideways component would not contribute to thrust.

3.Propelling

A jet exhaust produces a net thrust from the energy obtained from combusting fuel which is added to the inducted air. This hot air is passed through a high speed nozzle, a propelling nozzle which enormously increases its kinetic energy.^[
For a given mass flow, greater thrust is obtained with a higher exhaust velocity, but the best energy efficiency is obtained when the exhaust speed is well matched with the airspeed. However, no jet aircraft can maintain velocity while exceeding its exhaust jet speed, due to momentum considerations. Supersonic jet engines, like those employed in fighters and SST aircraft (e.g. Concorde), need high exhaust speeds. Therefore supersonic aircraft very typically use a CD nozzle despite weight and cost penalties. Subsonic jet engines employ relatively low, subsonic, exhaust velocities. They thus employ simple convergent nozzles. In addition, bypass nozzles are employed giving even lower speeds.
Rocket motors use convergent-divergent nozzles with very large area ratios so as to maximise thrust and exhaust velocity and thus extremely high nozzle pressure ratios are employed. Mass flow is at a premium since all the propulsive mass is carried with vehicle, and very high exhaust speeds are desirable.

4.Magnetic
Magnetic nozzles have also been proposed for some types of propulsion, such as VASIMR, in which the flow of plasma is directed by magnetic fields instead of walls made of solid matter.

5.Spray

Many nozzles produce a very fine spray of liquids.

• Atomizer nozzles are used for spray painting, perfumes, carburettors for internal combustion engines, spray on deodorants, antiperspirants and many other uses.
• Air-Aspirating Nozzle-uses an opening in the cone shaped nozzle to inject air into a stream of water based foam (CAFS/AFFF/FFFP) to make the concentrate "foam up". Most commonly found on foam extinguishers and foam handlines.
• Swirl nozzles inject the liquid in tangentially, and it spirals into the center and then exits through the central hole. Due to the vortexing this causes the spray to come out in a cone shape.

Based on these types of nozzle,  gas jet and high velocity might be suitable for this project because it will increase the velocity of the gas to turn the turbine.

Material used

Tittle        : Materials to be used

 

Objective : To list the required materials for this project

 

 

There are many devices/materials used to produce electrcity for Smart-BioBin which are :

 

1. Pressure cooker

2. A gas turbine

3. D.C motor/generator

4. Battery bank

5. Converter

6. Nozzle

Based on the materials/devices above, more research need to be done for the selection of the types of each devices. The materials/devices must be matched with this project or else problems will occur.

The size of gas turbine cannot be too large because it will affects the movement of the turbine. If the size of turbine is small then it will be easy to turn but it is also depends on the amount of gas produce/pressure.

Gas pressure concept

Tittle        : Concept of Gas Pressure

Objective : To define the meaning of pressure that is related in this project


Pressure is determined by the flow of mass from a high pressure region to a low pressure region. Pressure measurements are made on the fluid states--liquids and gases.  The pressure of water on a swimmer is more noticable.

What is pressure?

PRESSURE is a force exerted by the substance per unit area on another substance. The pressure of a gas is the force that the gas exerts on the walls of its container. Pressure is a property which determines the direction in which mass flows.

Atmospheric pressure varies with height just as water pressure varies with depth. As a swimmer dives deeper, the water pressure increases. As a mountain climber ascends to higher altitudes, the atmospheric pressure decreases. His body is compressed by a smaller amount of air above it. The atmospheric pressure at 20,000 feet is only one-half of that at sea level because about half of the entire atmosphere is below this elevation.

Atmospheric pressure at sea level can be expressed in terms of 14.7 pounds per square inch. The pressure in car or bicycle tires is also measured in pounds per square inches. A car should have 26-30 lb/sq.in. and bicycle tires 40-60/sq.in.

This concept can be used for this project where it need a high pressure from the container to turn the turbine to produce mechanical energy. A pressure gauge will be installed at the container so that the value can be seen and analyze.

DC generator or DC motor?

Tittle        : Generator and Motor

Objective : To define the meaning of generator and motor

Definition of dc generator:

An electrical Generator is a machine which converts mechanical energy (or power) into electrical energy (or power). An electric generator is based on the principle that whenever magnetic flux is cut by a conductor, an e.m.f. is induced which will cause a current to flow if the conductor circuit is closed.

Definition of dc motor:

A machine that converts d.c power into mechanical power is known as a d.c motor. Its operation is based on the principle that when a current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, the conductor experiences a mechanical force.

Basically, there is no constructional difference between a d.c motor and a d.c generator. The same d.c. machine can be run as a generator or motor.

From these definitions, both motor and generator can be used for this project. So, i will choose a d.c generator but it depends on the project.

process of producing methane gas

Tittle       : How to produce gas from waste garbage?

          Objective: To produce biogas under thermophilic digestion ( 50-65˚C)

               Waste garbage will be store in a container and it will be compressed. Then, the waste will transfer to the storage where the waste needs to be blend with liquid solution. Next, the waste needs to be transfer to digester tank where it’s broken down by bacteria in the absence of oxygen and the liquid(waste) is then heated to 50-65˚C. This produces biogas (methane) which is cleaned, compressed and sent to gas storage where biogas is stored. A turbine is used to convert methane gas into electricity where the methane gas will be burn to convert the chemical bond energy of the gas to heat energy expanding the gases within the piston, driving the drive shaft and producing mechanical energy. The mechanical energy in the rotating drive shaft is then coupled into an electrical generator.

My FYP Project

Tittle        : FYP project's name

Objective : To define about this project and to discuss generally about it.


                

                After i had seen my supervisor, i got rough idea about my project and my supervisor had given the project's name which is called " SMART-BIOBIN".

                Basically, Smart-BioBin is a special bin where it can produce energy form the waste. This bin can decompose the waste in less than a month and it through an anaerobic digestion process where biogas will produce which is methane gas. The waste used is municipal solid waste MSW which is biomass (or biogenic) materials like paper, cardboard, food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, wood, and leather products. It also includes other non-biomass combustible materials, mainly plastics and other synthetic materials made from petroleum. Then from the gas produced (methane), the gas will be converted to electrical energy and it can be used to public. Processing waste through anaerobic digesters can make the methane available for conversion to useful energy and avoid methane emissions to the atmosphere. Indirectly, this bin can reduce the methane produced from landfills to atmosphere and can protect environment from harmful gas.

 

               So, this is the project that i decided to make. I will find the previous work and background about this project and how to do it.

what is Smart-BioBin???

Smart-BioBin is a special bin where it can produce energy form the waste. This bin can decompose the waste in less than a month and it through an anaerobic digestion process where biogas will produce which is methane gas. The waste used is municipal solid waste MSW which is biomass (or biogenic) materials like paper, cardboard, food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, wood, and leather products. It also includes other non-biomass combustible materials, mainly plastics and other synthetic materials made from petroleum. Then from the gas produced (methane), the gas will be converted to electrical energy and it can be used to public. Processing waste through anaerobic digesters can make the methane available for conversion to useful energy and avoid methane emissions to the atmosphere. Indirectly, this bin can reduce the methane produced from landfills to atmosphere and can protect environment from harmful gas.