Prototype Disposable Diaper Shredding Machine for Fertilizer Production

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Pollution is one of the most critical threats faced by our planet in the present-day scenario. This is caused by the non-biodegradable and hazardous waste that we use and don't dispose of properly. Among these wastes are plastic bags, plastic bottles, Styrofoam, and especially disposable diapers. Disposable diapers have greater impact and contribution to pollution. This motivated the researchers to invent a disposable diaper shredding machine. Since disposable diapers contain polyacrylate, a very good liquid absorbent, and human feces and urine that has been proven to be a good alternative fertilizer.

METHODS

The body was constructed by cutting four rectangular plywood. The fiber glass was glued together with the plywood and the remaining was made as a funnel of the machine. The double shaft blade was inserted below the funnel. The small rectangular shaped plywood was made as the drawer of the machine. Next, the 12V gear motor was connected in wires. After connecting the two, the blade was also connected with the wires side by side. The researchers then tested if the device is working according to its desired operation. The machine was tested with three replicates by varying time of shredding (5 minutes, 10 minutes,15 minutes) and varying grams of diapers (500 grams, 1000 grams, 1500 grams).

RESULTS

In 15 minutes, the machine was able to shred 985.33g of diapers, then 10 minutes with 459.33g and 5 minutes with 141.3g. 500g of diapers was shredded in 12.09 minutes, 1000g in 15.30 minutes, and 1500g in 26.23 minutes. in both parameters, the results revealed that there is a significant difference between the three set ups.

DISCUSSIONS

The longer the amount of time, the higher the amount of produced fertilizer in gramsare collected from the shredding machine.