R.U.T.A (River Universal Trash Accumulator)

Authors

  • Carl Channel O. Aguilar
  • Genozon B. Añonuevo
  • Joaquin Luis B. Bala
  • Leiron Babi A. Mota
  • Vincent T. Gadier

Keywords:

remote-operated boat, solid wastes, solar panel, sensor, rivers

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Pasig River ranked 8th worst contributor of solid waste in oceans, 2nd relative to its drainage area, all over the world (Journal Nature Communications, 2017). With all the solid waste problems the world encounters, the authors came up on developing garbage collector in the form of intellectual machine, R.U.T.A., a solar-powered boat navigated through microcontroller that aids in the collection of solid wastes floating on rivers.

METHODS

The device was fabricated manually in terms of its mechanical and electrical connection integrating the circuit diagram. The solar panel was used to power the propeller, the rudder that changes direction and the conveyor which is responsible for the collection of solid waste. Siemens Logo and Arduino Uno were used to programming the wireless communication part by automatically stopping the operation of the conveyor if the garbage bin is already full using photo sensor and the navigation of the device through mobile remote control application. to test the device, the authors used a man-made swimming pool where solid waste materials were discharged. in that controlled environment, the device was able to float and accumulate solid wastes. to achieve the actual performance of the device, the authors tried it in one of the rivers in Pasig and were able to test the navigation part through a wireless controller and how the current in the river would affect the motion of the device. The accumulated solid wastes on the garbage bin were measured in terms of its mass collected per unit of time.

RESULTS

The device was successful in collecting solid wastes discharged on rivers. The authors conclude that 1) the machine can collect an average of 120 grams per one revolution of the conveyor; 2) the average time of the conveyor to complete a one revolution is 17.52 seconds; and 3) the average mass of the solid waste collected in 10 minutes, 30 minutes and 60 minutes are 3.7 kg, 5.4 kg, and 9.0 kg respectively.

DISCUSSIONS

The device was successful in collecting solid wastes discharged on rivers. The authors conclude that 1) the machine can collect an average of 120 grams per one revolution of the conveyor; 2) the average time of the conveyor to complete a one revolution is 17.52 seconds; and 3) the average mass of the solid waste collected in 10 minutes, 30 minutes and 60 minutes are 3.7 kg, 5.4 kg, and 9.0 kg respectively.

Published

2019-01-18