ACTIVATED COCONUT CARBON FOR MOTORCYCLE FILTER MECHANISM TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS

Abstract

Transportation is one of the major contributors to climate change, as it releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. One of the contributing factors to greenhouse gases is the harmful pollutants emitted by motorcycles, which are common in the Philippines. The purpose of this study is to reduce carbon emissions emitted by motorcycles, such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and hydrocarbons (HC), using a filter made from coconut activated carbon with a molecular sieve and impregnated with magnesium oxide. This study employed an experimental research design to determine the effectiveness of using coconut activated carbon in reducing carbon emissions from motorcycle exhausts. A total of three (3) motorcycles were used to evaluate the coconut activated carbon filter mechanism. Emission testing was conducted to assess the effect of the activated carbon filter mechanism installed in each motorcycle exhaust. Inferential statistics such as percentage, weighted mean, and t-test were used to analyze the results. The coconut activated carbon filter mechanism reduced harmful carbon emissions from manual motorcycles, resulting in lower levels of CO, CO₂, and HC emissions. The filter was effective in two (2) motorcycles that were five (5) years old. However, it was not effective in one (1) motorcycle that was ten (10) years old, which showed an increase in hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. In terms of success rate, manual motorcycles of a younger age were more likely to exhibit reduced emission levels when using the filter. The coconut activated carbon filter mechanism made from coconut shells was effective in reducing carbon emissions from manual motorcycles. It is suggested that the inner structure of the mechanism be improved by basing it on the actual motorcycle exhaust system to better circulate emissions through the filter and maximize its capacity to reduce emissions.