FYP Display and Presentation: Past, Present, and FutureIn the summer of 1990, fresh from their trainings at Portsmouth Polytechnic (now University of Portsmouth) in the United Kingdom, Engr. Jocelyn A. Mabaylan and Dr. Edilberto L. Tadulan, then faculty members of the College of Engineering, introduced the concept of exhibiting Final Year Projects to the public. The purpose of this activity is to inspire engineers and scientist to perfect existing technologies, as well as to engage partnership with industries on research and development. On February 14, 1994, with the efforts of two other trainees from Portsmouth, Engrs Mary Jean O. Apor and Eliseo B. Linog, Jr. organized a display that showcased various projects and laboratory equipment of the Electrical, Electronics and Communications, and Mechanical Engineering units in celebration of the Power Engineering Day. Years later, as other units of the College advanced in research capabilities, then Dean Engr. Antonio C. Sevillano, Jr. institutionalized the showcasing of student projects as an annual activity of the College of Engineering. Consequently, with the spearheading endeavors of Engrs. Maria Theresa I. Cabaraban, Maria Isabel R. Dumlao, Shierlyn S. Paclijan and Dexter S. Lo, faculty members of the then combined Chemical-Civil-Industrial Engineering Department, the course Final Year Project Study (FYPS) was integrated to the curriculum of all engineering programs. Today, the FYP Display and Presentation is a way of a peer review of the completed Final Year Project Studies of the graduating seniors of the College of Engineering. It primarily showcases, promotes and exposes the atmosphere of healthy competition among the students and of constructive interaction between students and professionals from other institutions and industries. Several others are upshots of collaborative ventures between and among the local industries, the partner outreach communities, the faculty, and the students. The objectives of the researches at the College of Engineering are: to create new knowledge in the engineering disciplines and in computer science, to foster an active learning environment for students to acquire the tools for lifelong learning, and to make science and technology matter to the pressing needs of society. To date, many of the Colleges FYPS have garnered recognition outside the walls of the University. Many are continuously presented in various professional technical conferences and conventions in the local, national, and international arenas. To be sustained, the College has steadily collaborated with self-same industries, institutions, and agencies that stand firm with the academe in its pursuit toward the training and development of the Christian Engineer.

XAVIER UNIVERSITYATENEO DE CAGAYANCorrales Avenue, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City PhilippinesIn Consotium with ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA UNIVERSITYTels: Local: Fax: Email: (+63 8822) 723116 (trunk) (+63 88) 8583116 (trunk) 2037/2038 (+63-88) 72-6356 op@xu.edu.ph

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

MESSAGEI have always looked forward to this annual gathering of the College of Engineering where you show your final year projects as a way to demonstrate the result of many years of formation you received as XU warriors. This year's theme focuses on being at the front lines of development and environment. It is a fitting theme as we realize the price we have had to pay for development. I hope that your being at the frontier will always bring these two (development and environment) to bear on each other. Too often, we see these as two mutually exclusive, warring factions. There should be a better way. Help us find a third way, particularly for Mindanao which is blessed with natural resources and yet broken by conflict. Whether or not engineering becomes your life, you will be asked to step up and lead. Mindanao (and our country) is this way because many of our good people choose to disengage. They are educated people, good and accomplished professionals, but they are not warriors who risk the front lines. You however are of Xavier, an Atenean, called to greater things for the greater glory of God. Engage the frontier. Take the perimeter to defend the center. And go win battles for those who look to your power.

XAVIER UNIVERSITYATENEO DE CAGAYANPO Box 24, 9000, Cagayan de Oro City Philippines

Office of the Vice-President for Research and Social Outreach

MESSAGE

Phone Nos. (63 8822) 72-3116 (trunkline) (63 88) 858-3116 trunkline) Local 3209 Telefax Email Add hquiaoit@xu.edu.ph rso@xu.edu.ph

I find the 2011 theme timely but ambivalent as well, Frontliners of development, vanguards of nature. It expresses the complementation as well as contradiction of development and protection of nature. Our natural landscape has been changing with time, by our patterns of use and by natural processes. Finding the delicate balance to satisfy the four cardinal points in our lives (nature, society, economy and well-being) has been difficult to the point of being evasive; usually we skew to one direction at the expense of the other. Has engineering changed our landscape? Technological advancements and increase in population have led to developments. The sentiment of education is that Engineering as science is to help solve human problems. But the recent emphasis in developed countries has been Engineering as design. Apparently, the issue now is not on protecting nature because it is given that we need to. In fact, nature development at present is of two minds: the politics of segregation or integration (Jozef Keulartz, 1999). Segregation is for those who believed that nature is intolerable to human intervention. They are the nature developers who will let nature be by shielding from man and his technology. On the other hand, integration is for those who believed that human intervention is indispensable to nature. They are the nature conservationists who will integrate nature conservation and environmentally-friendly processes of utilization. Which side do we take? Being an archipelagic country, let us take our coastal frontiers. The trend now has been the establishment of networks of no-access ecological maritime corridors (example is Sulu-Sulawesi), linked by smallermanaged areas. The matching of these smaller efforts (nature conservation) with large marine ecosystem (nature development) interweaves both approaches. It is in these smaller efforts of management that would require high degree of engineering development. The coast is very dynamic because of the interplay of human impacts and interventions, as well as, natural systems confounded by a changing climate. The vulnerability of coastal areas to sea level rise, coastal erosion and wave action- is buffered by the natural stands of mangroves and highly-complex coral reefs. However, the deteriorating condition of most of these natural ecosystems puts the community at risk to consequences of increase intensity of storms and wave energy. As vanguards of nature, hard engineering innovations and designs (examples are wave dissipaters, artificial reef structures, seawalls, etc. ) can support the ecological processes of these naturally-designed systems and strengthen the resilience to climate-change associated risks, thus, protect nature and the community. We hope that the Engineering students and faculty continue to develop innovative designs that will support and supplement nature. Congratulations to this undertaking!

Dr. Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit, PhD Vice President Research and Social Outreach

XAVIER UNIVERSITYATENEO DE CAGAYANCorrales Avenue, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City PhilippinesIn Consotium with ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA UNIVERSITYTels: Local: Fax: Email: (+63 8822) 723116 Local 2036 (+63 88) 8583116 Local 2036 2037/2038 (+63-88) 72-6356 lgkwong@xu.edu.ph

ACADEMIC VICE PRESIDENTS OFFICE

MESSAGETwenty One years after the conceptualization of the Final Year Projects Study (FYPS) on inspiring students with the presentation and display, the XU Warriors continued publication of the FYP Journal through this years theme: XU WARRIORS: Front liners of Development, Vanguards of Nature. This project gives students opportunity to present

their research work, gain new and powerful skills to do research that will compliment them vanguard nature and the opportunity to be peer reviewed. You are encouraged to continue with this annual publication.

Congratulations!

Dr. Academic Vice President

Research Center h rXavierUniversityAteneo odeCagayan n9000Caga ayandeOroCity y PHILIPPINES S

MESSAGECongrat tulations again to another milestone fo the Eng a or gineering w with this 2 2011 edition of the FYP Journal! P We at K KRC join the whole universit in recog e ty gnizing th exempla role of the he ary f College of Engin e neering. A practitio As oners of so olution-sci ience, you have bro u ought more m meaning to the quest o knowled - it be of dge ecame a qu for the bettermen of uest e nt life. Yo have op ou ptimized the academ stint o your stu mic of udents by bringing t them along w the fac with culty in en ngagement that resp ts pond or of solutio to conc ffer ons crete problem of the co ms ommunitie es. This is t mantra of our un the a niversity, especially th Researc and Out he ch treach clus ster to make more mea e aningful th universit role in knowledg producti Hence the he ty's n ge ion. e, knowled produ dge ucts and services we produce help shap a bette community, e pe er better humanity an better w nd world. More po ower for th Kumbat he ti!

Kin naadmanResea archCenterT Telefax:+63(8 88)8583116local2045ema ail:kinaadman n@xu.edu.ph

XAVIER UNIVERSITYATENEO DE CAGAYANCorrales Avenue, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City Philippines

In Consotium with ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERINGTels: Local: Fax: (+63 8822) 723116 (trunk) (+63 88) 8583116 (trunk) 1207 (Secretary)/1203 (CE) (+63-88) 8583116 local 1209

MESSAGETo the College of Engineering Community, Warriors! Be Bold! This is a call to arms! We are at the threshold of a monster economic difficulties exacerbated by the worsening climactic conditions; from torrential rainfalls to severe droughts that may result in disasters. Yet, Ateneans as we are, we rise up! We gather our weapons and face this adversary of development. With God on our side, who can be against us? Warriors! We are the frontliners of development; we are the vanguards of nature. As an academic institution, we train hard to master the elements earth, fire, wind, water for in times like this we shall be capable of trampling our enemies. We work with nature and not against nature. The battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and forces of this dark age; and the battlefield is in our minds, thus we transform ourselves by the renewing of our minds. Going Green is not the trend but a must! We are stewards of Gods creation. As we dawn the Engineering Days 2011, I thank everybody for continuing to be engaged in the frontiers. The activities are designed to infect others with our message. I pray that God continues to bless us with wisdom, knowledge and understanding as we acknowledge Him in all our ways. Let our message be loud and clear; and let our fervor be contagious. Warriors! Ahooo!

Overall Chair Engineering Days 2011

XAVIER UNIVERSITYATENEO DE CAGAYANCorrales Avenue, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City Philippines

In Consotium with ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERINGTels: Local: Fax: (+63 8822) 723116 (trunk) (+63 88) 8583116 (trunk) 1207 (Secretary)/1217 (ME) (+63-88) 8583116 local 1209

MESSAGEEvery year, I take time to look ahead to what our Engineering Days has in store for the faculty, staff, and most especially for our students. This years activities are meaningful, with this years theme of XU Warriors: Frontliners of Development, Vanguards of Nature. As students, we are taught and trained in the classroom, in the field and in the laboratory, how to design new structures, create new products, and harness energy in order for the advancement of our nation and sustenance of our people. But earth is finite, and so we must teach also our students how to protect and preserve our environment. Likewise, even the faculty must serve as models on how to be stewards of Gods creation. From the Fun Run on the first day of the Engineering days, to the Final Year Projects Display and Presentation on the last day of our celebration, let us not lose focus of this years message. Let us celebrate and let us make all the activities successful. Lastly, I thank everyone who helped achieve our Engineering Days this kind of success.

Engr. Maria Isabel R. Dumlao, MSEnvE Assistant Dean College of Engineering

XAVIER UNIVERSITYATENEO DE CAGAYANCorrales Avenue, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City Philippines

In Consotium with ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERINGTels: Local: Fax: (+63 8822) 723116 (trunk) (+63 88) 8583116 (trunk) 1207 (Secretary)/1217 (ECE) (+63-88) 8583116 local 1209

MESSAGEOnce again it is my great pleasure and distinct honor to spearhead as such activity like this for the second time around as chairman of the Final Year Projects Display and Presentation (FYPDP) 2011. The FYPDP is an annual activity of the College of Engineering to showcase various researches and projects by our Senior Engineering Students. This years theme is XU WARRIORS: Frontliners of Development, Vanguards of Nature. I believed that we shall expand our scope of our field of nature for the benefits of human kind not only in technology but as well as the needs of our communities to address and monitor our fragile Natural Environment through Engineering researches and innovation of our Students. To the GRADUATING CLASS of 2011, as you travel your journey as an Engineering Students, you encounter the rough and rugged experience in our school, as all students of XU - ENGG have done, who have gone this way before. Your labor and hardwork are the key to your success and to become successful Engineers soon. To their PARENTS for the financial support and inspire them to do more and to give more for the greater glory of GOD. Congratulations to all and let us enjoy the Engineering Days 2011 celebration. Best regards!

Ian Giovanni R. Pabillaran, PECE, MEngg. Chairman, FYPDP 2011

Xavier University College of Engineering

ContentsMESSAGES 2011 Best Project Finalists:1. Automated Monitoring and Early Warning System for Possible Occurrence of Flood 2. Bioethanol Production from the Batch Fermentation of Brown Sargassum Seaweeds Using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae 3. Micropower Generation Using Wind from Exhaust Fans 4. Modified Laptop Cooler Using Mini Air Conditioning System 5. Proposed Groundwater Monitoring Well Sites in Selected Urban Areas of District 1, Cagayan de Oro City 6. Standardization of Work in the Milo Packaging Area of COFIPAC Corporation 7. Water Level Monitoring System for Cagayan de Oro River

Community Development:1. Assessment of Urban Drainage System of Scions Elite and NHA Subdivisions in Barangay Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City 2. Design of Rain Shelter for the CRS Farms in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon 3. Development of a Road Condition Assessment Tool for Portland Cement and Asphalt Concrete Roads: A Basis for Road Condition Assessment of Selected Roads in Poblacion, Cagayan de Oro City 4. Proposed Project Worth Php 300,000.00 H.E. Room and School Clinic of Baluarte Elementary School, Sitio Baluarte , Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City 5. Proposed Water System in Barangay Pagalungan, Cagayan de Oro City

Disaster Risk Management:1. Disaster Risk Reduction Program of Poblacion Area in Cagayan de Oro City: Earthquake and Fire 2. Forest Fire Monitoring and Detection System Using GSM Technology for Malasag Forest Area 3. Rapid Investigation of Cracks in Selected Buildings of Xavier University

Xavier University College of Engineering

Innovative Designs:1. A Design of a Water Clarification System Using Powdered Moringa Oleifera Seeds as Coagulant 2. A Feasibility Study on Vertical Gardening in the Xavier University Engineering Building 3. Adaptive Radar Device 4. Automated Electric Metering System with Prepaid Service 5. Coefficient of Heat Transfer of a Mini Condenser 6. Electric Power Automatic Transfer Switch of the College of Engineering Building 7. GIS-Based Soil Moisture Mapping 8. Performance of Mini Evaporator of Varying Tube Diameters 9. Pressure Drop in a Micro Expansion Valve of a Mini Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle 10. Sound Level Monitoring System with Wireless Transmission Applied to Videoke Machines 11. Termite Detection Through its Acoustic Emission

Renewable Energy and Alternative Materials:1. An Experimental Study of Electric Motor Aided Trisikad 2. Anaerobic Digestion of Human Feces from Urine-Diversion Dehydration Toilets: Effect of Heat Pretreatment on Methane Generation and Digestate Utilization for Agriculture 3. Charcoal Briquettes from Rice Hull Through Closed-Vessel Carbonization 4. Simultaneous Charging of Car Battery and Delivering Power to the Solar Car 5. Wind Power Generation of the College of Engineering Building for One Room Lighting Load

Systems Analysis and Design:1. 2. 3. 4. A Context Identification System for Affidavit of Loss Documents (Contextus) A System for Generating GIS MAPS of Spatial Demographic Data A System Study on the Center for Integrated Technologies of Xavier University A System Study on the Production of Handmade Paper and Facility Layout of San Roque Handmade Paper Products Multi-Purpose Cooperative 5. An SMS-Based Book Query and Reservation System for the Xavier University Library

Web-based Development:1. GIS-based Contour Mapping of Iponan River Watershed through Google Earth Images 2. Secure Gateway for Online Transactions 3. Species Mapping System for the XU MMC Using Google Maps Technology

SPONSORS

Xavier University College of Engineering Final Year Projects Display and Presentation & Engineering Days 2011 CommitteesChair of the 2011 Engineering Days: Peter Daniel S. Akut Over-all Chair of the FYPDP 2011: Ian Giovanni R. Pabillaran

Review and Competition Journal Chair: Co-Chair Jolou F. Miraflor Edwin Richard R. Ortiz Elmer B. Dollera Chair Co-Chair Dexter S. Lo Donah Marie D. Achas Jim Croce B. Nabua

Awards and Certificates Chair: Co-Chair Eliseo B. Linog, Jr. Noreen Angelie T. Ras Lecture Series Chair Co-Chair Program Chair Co-Chair Megan M. Magallona Maria Lourdes M. Abao Dexter S. Lo Jim Croce B. Nabua Christien Joy T. Ipanag

Food Chair Co-Chair Estrella L. Gadian Shierlyn S. Paclijan

Logistics , Physical Arrangement and Dcor Chair Co-Chair Jose S. Mag-abo II Patrick L. Kee-e Joel Camilo M. Haos

Evaluation Chair Elmer B. Dollera

FYPS Unit Coordinators: Ways and Means Chair Co-Chair Maria Isabel R. Dumlao Eliseo B. Linog, Jr Richel A. De Villa CHE CE EcE EE IE ME CS Shierlyn S. Paclijan Peter Daniel S. Akut Franklin Rey A. Pacquiao Dondanon A. Bajarla, Jr. Glenn B. Paclijan Elmer B. Dollera Maria Ramila R. Jimenez

Documentation/Secretariat Chair Co-chair Jafe Alyssa M. Aquino Dondanon A. Bajarla

AUTOMATED MONITORING AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEM FOR POSSIBLE OCCURRENCE OF FLOODYves Clent O. Llausas, Keith John Reymart G. Magsayo, Mauriz E. Boyles and Irene U. Gomez Electronics Engineering Department Email: scenob@gmail.com Mary Jean O. Apor Faculty AdviserABSTRACT: This study is about utilizing the GSM technologys SMS application in river monitoring and early warning system. This system was composed of several distinct components; the monitoring system, the central station, and the alarm system. The proponent aimed; first, to design and implement water level and rain gauge sensors; second, to develop a microcontroller-based data transmitter that will acquire and transmit the data read from the sensor devices to the central station using SMS over GSM technology; third, to develop visual and audible alarms that is controlled via SMS by the central station; and lastly, to develop a computer program for acquisition of the data received by the HSPDA USB modem and store into an MS Access. This study employed text message to transfer the data from water level station and rain gauge station to the central station. Monitoring the river needs water level sensors and transmitters to acquire and get data and transmit them to the central station. The rain gauge sensed the amount of rainfall and transmitted the number of tips the bucket makes, and then forwarded this information to the central station. The central station collated the data gathered by the remote sensors and displayed using Visual Basic program, while it calculated the risk of the possible occurrence of flood. The lights and siren were actuated when the central station calculates the possible occurrence of flood. This early warning and monitoring system were able to transmit data prior to laboratory testing. The results indicated a relative increase of rivers water level in a certain period of time base on the rate of rise of its upstream tributary. This study will give advance knowledge to the concerned entities about behavior and condition of the river and its upstream sources in order to reduce the dilemma due to sudden flooding.

KEYWORDS: SMS, Water Level Sensor, Rain Gauge Sensor, Microcontroller, Central Station, Early warning, Automation, GSM Technology

1. THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING 1.1 INTRODUCTION An automated monitoring and early warning system is a system composed of monitoring system, a central station, and an alarm system. The entire block is linked together by a form of communication medium and it is usually done so that data from the monitoring system is sent directly to the central station and eventually to the alarm station. The monitoring system of this project monitored the water level and the amount of rainfall by using water level sensors and rain gauge sensors. The physical dimensions of the sensors were designed by the project requirement and from standard sizes. The water level sensors were located at the tributary and the Cagayan River, as these are the places where a change of water level is critical. The rain gauge on the other hand was located at the house university, as well as the central station. For the alarm system, it was located at Barangay 13 where people are directly affected by the possible occurrence of flood. The individual stations were linked together by the application of SMS. The automation was done by the microcontroller, a small chip programmed to do the task of acquiring the data from the sensors to the controlling of the mobile phones to send the current data to the central station. Using the ubiquitous technology of GSM the system will be virtually linked together. The central station was also programmed to send data to the alarm system where the audio and visual alarms were actuated, depending on the predetermined alarm levels. 1.2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK SMS is one of the GSM featured application where data in the form of alphanumeric are stored, sent, and received by means of a mobile phone. This data is decipherable only when the medium by which it is used could decode and encode SMS messages. The mobile phone can be controlled to send alphanumeric data from its remote location to a number designated at the central station. The mobile phone used in this project has special protocols that can be controlled by the microcontroller so that the mobile phone itself can send and delete SMS all by itself. This combination of mobile phone and microcontroller can stand alone without human control. 1.3 CONCEPTUAL BACKGROUND

Figure 1.1: The block diagram for the warning system. 1.4 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Flooding in the coastal plain areas of Cagayan de Oro River is usually associated with high tide level at the rivers delta and heavy rainfall and large volume of water concentration in the upland sections of the

river. Upon answering the following questions, the researchers had be able to explain how the monitoring of the said factors will help mitigating calamities brought by flood: 1)Where should the water level, tide level and rain gauge sensors be strategically located? 2)Where should the data logger station, central station and alarm station be strategically located? 3)How should the system devices and sensors be powered for steady operation? 4)How should these measured parameters be connected to generate warnings? 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OR PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT The study was intended to aid the entities concerned in developing a flood detection and early warning system. For a flood hazard prone community, such as Isla de Oro, a greater attentiveness on the future behavior and condition of the river and its upstream sources is needed to protect its assets and people, and to minimize the magnitude of risk of the river flooding Moreover, it will advance the knowledge on electronics circuitry, instrumentation, wireless transmission, and programming. 1.6 STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS It is possible to automate the entire monitoring and alarm system using microcontrollers and mobile phones 1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY The study focuses mainly on the technical design and implementation for a flood warning system. The project uses existing sensing methods and devices in measuring the said parameters. From the data logger station, it will be interfaced with a mobile unit which then send data to the central station through SMS. Also, the consideration of other tributaries as part of the contributing factors in terms of the water discharge to Cagayan de Oro River will be limitted to Kalawaig River. 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDY Related Literature According to Manusthiparom (2005), the occurrence of flooding is usually in the aftermath of meteorological events that includes intense and prolonged rainfall, and unusually high costal and estuarine waters due to storm surges. Water flow along a stream is controlled by a lot of factors. These factors are, namely, the water discharge on the river, rain precipitation, and the intensity of precipitation, duration of precipitation, interception and infiltration of the soil. We consider using Tipping bucket rain gauge to measure rate of rainfall. According to Ahrens (2007), this gauge has a receiving tunnel leading to two small metal collectors (bucket). The bucket beneath the tunnel collects the rain water. When it accumulates the equivalent of one-hundredth of an inch of rain, the weight of the water causes it to tip and empty itself. For the acquisition of the water level, we used the electrode type sensor where two terminals are made to conduct current at the water Data collection is the recording of data items concerning an event of events, at the place where the event occurs and at the time of its occurrence (or thereabouts). The use of automated data collection system eliminates the manual way of collecting and storing information from the raw data; there are several good reasons why we much prefer to computerize the process. There are reasons why automated collection is

required and are as follows: time and total quality management. The time needed to collect data and process it will increase if the manual process is eliminated. Total quality management is a prime element in the continual effort to improve operations. (Cohen, 1994) GSM (Global System for Mobile communications or Groupe Speciale Mobile) communications, initiated by the European Commission, is the second generation mobile cellular system. GSM was created in 1982 to have a common European mobile telephone standard that would formulate specifications for a panEuropean mobile cellular radio system operating at 900MHz. The main objective of GSM is to remove any incompatibility among the systems by allowing the roaming phenomenon for any cell phone. 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The sensed rate and level measurement was collected automatically and conveyed through wireless transmission at a defined time interval and frequency. More frequent data acquisition during rain periods was considered. Data analysis and flood prediction was done using both mathematical concepts and historical data approach. The relationship between the measured parameters was determined and automatically calculated using a defined computer program. The magnitude of flooding, categorized depending on the results of calculation, was further inspected for conclusion using the data gathered on the previous events of flood. 3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN AND PROCEDURES This River Monitoring and Alarm project was a microcontroller based system with the mobile phones and an HSDPA USB Stick as data transceivers. The Nokia 3310 mobile phones were for the Remote Stations, while the HSDPA Smart Bro modem was for the Central Station. The Zilog microcontrollers from the family Z8F042A automated the data logging and communicated with the mobile phones SMS-related events.

4. DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS Water Level Sensor (Cagayan de Oro River and Tributary) Trials Number 1,2,3 Table 4.1 Shows the data of the water level sensor output from the circuit.Water Level (inches) 2 8 16 22 30 36 44 52 58 66 72 82 88 96 102 108 Expected Output Level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Level 9 Level 10 Level 11 Level 12 Level 13 Level 14 Level 15 Level 16 Actual Output Level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Level 9 Level 10 Level 11 Level 12 Level 13 Level 14 Level 15 Level 16

Table 4.2. Shows the level category with the corresponding alarm activationLevel 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Expected Output white light on green light on orange light on Red light and buzzer on white light on green light on orange light on Red light and buzzer on Actual Output white light on green light on orange light on Red light and buzzer on white light on green light on orange light on Red light and buzzer on Time elapsed (s) (4 bars signal) 2.22 3.07 3.34 2.70 2.17 3.14 3.04 2.04 Time elapsed (s) (1 -2 bars signal) 3.88 3.57 10.08 14.72 3.77 2.91 3.19 2.30

5. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS Basing the data gathered from the tests conducted, the monitoring system was able to acquire and sent data from the sensors to the central station. The table on the water level sensors, both for Cagayan de Oro River and Talakag, Bukidnon showed consistent reading using a calibrated meter steel and the water sensor itself. The test was done with an interval of six (6) inches every level, a two (2) inches water increment was divided for the entire length. The water level sensor detected water at the present level. The output from the circuit was an eight (8) bit codes that represent the actual water level.

The researchers were also able to establish a data that shows the time delay encountered when the central station sends the alarm messages to the alarm station. They found out that the time range varied between 2 to 14 seconds. The researchers were able to develop a working automated early warning and monitoring system. The microcontroller is able to automate the acquiring and sending of the needed parameters. The researchers recommend the use of solar power to power the remote sensors as well as to give a back-up power supply in case of power interruption. Also, it is recommended that an instantaneous water level should be installed so that the actual water level can be recorded to the millimeter scale. REFERENCES Elumba, Jr. E., Fuentevilla, C., and Ty, R. Wireless Transmission for River Monitoring March 2007 Using SMS,

Manusthiparom, Flood Forecasting and River Monitoring System in the Mekong River Basin, February 10, 2006 Jil, Jungle; Big Flood Going On In Cagayan De Oro ,January 3, 2009; http://junglejil.blogspot.com/2009/01/big-flood-going-on-in-cagayan-de-oro.html 07/23/2010 Stanffordshire Country Council; River Flooding - What is the impact on people and places?; Staffordshire County Council 2010, http://www.sln.org.uk/geography/enquiry/we30.htm, 07/23/2010

BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION FROM THE BATCH FERMENTATION OF BROWN SARGASSUM SEAWEEDS USING SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAEChristylene S. Balagtas and Maria Nia C. Baares Chemical Engineering Department E-mail: christyleneb@yahoo.com Melba T. Mendoza Faculty AdviserABSTRACT: Due to formidable changes in our environment, the price increase of petroleum in the market, population groweighth and the occurrence of circulating brownouts in the Philippines due to power supply shortages, alternative sources of energy are gaining much consideration. Solar and wind have great potential, but neither will replace the gasoline and diesel used in generators, and motors. Add to this the food versus fuel dispute which has been a concern when food sources are being utilized for fuel production, and agricultural lands are being transformed into massive plantations of land-based biofuel crops. Previous studies proved that using marine biomass as feedstock addresses the above-mentioned concerns Sakuo (2008). Brown Sargassum seaweed is a macroalgae that exist abundantly in the Philippine coastal areas. According to Hai (2007), it has the highest carbohydrate content compared to Eucheumaand Gracilariaspecies with a value of 58% carbohydrates dry weight. However, it was noted that some parameters should be identified to optimize production of bioethanol such as pH adjustments Adams J., et. al. (2008). This study aimed to examine the effect of pH 4 and 6 during fermentation on the amount of ethanol produced. Slurries prepared from mixing 450 g powdered Sargassum seaweeds with 2 L water was adjusted to pH 4 and 6 using 0.1 M HCl and 0.1 M NaOH, while a control run was also conducted. Peaks generated by Atenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR/SB-ATR) Spectrometer, after a calibration run with standard ethanol/water mixtures, gave results that there is a maximum ethanol concentration at pH 6 after 36 hrs with a value of 374.88mg/mL ethanol from 450 g of powdered dry seaweeds added with 2 L of deionized water. Furthermore, using the same instrument, it was found that the main component of the dried seaweed powder was octyl-beta-Dglucopyranoside.

KEYWORDS: Bioethanol, Biofuels, Sargassum, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

1. INTRODUCTION As an early effort to compensate for some of changes in the environment and lessen the countrys dependency on foreign oil, the Philippine government passed in 2006 RA 9367 or the Biofuels Act of 2006. The mandate for a minimum 5% blend of bioethanol by volume to substitute for gasoline started in February 2009 in accordance with the above-mentioned RA 9367. Currently, the maximum tolerable blend for gasoline-ethanol is 10% and researches are being conducted to improve these conditions. Algal fuels do not impact fresh water resources because algae can grow in ocean or even in wastewater. Sargassum seaweeds belonging to the family of brown macroalgae exist in the Philippine coastal areas and considered the one of the largest species. Locally, they grow in coastal areas with 42% found in the sites of Mambayaan, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental (McKeough Research Centers Ecological and Fisheries Profile of Macajalar Bay 2008).The bioethanol produced from these seaweeds may prove to be a sustainable fuel alternative. The process design involved in this study aims to [a] produce higher yield of bioethanol from brown Sargassum seaweeds by determining which pH (4, 6, and 7) per batch gives the maximum yield, and [b] designing a pilot-scale plant which has the capacity to produce 300 liters of bioethanol per operation. In line with this, the study aimed to answer the following questions: 1. What are the characteristics (density, moisture content, and active component) of the Sargassum seaweed? 2. What pH (4.5, 6 or control) during the fermentation period produces the highest amount of ethanol? What is the relationship between the pH and the amount of bioethanol produced in the fermentation of Brown Sargassum seaweeds? 3. How much profit will be generated for designing a pilot- scale plant for the bioethanol production from Brown Sargassum seaweeds using the batch fermentation process? The study was bounded by the following conditions: 1. Fermentation period to consider is only three days; 2. The pH to consider 4.5 and 6 only; optimization in terms of pH is not covered due to numerous runs required; 3. The temperature during the experiments will be controlled at 37 0C; 4. The yeast strain used is the Saccharomyces Cerevisiae due to its availability in the locality and lowcost price. 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Fermentation may be conducted on nearly any carbohydrate-rich substrate. The absence of lignin and the low content of cellulose in brown algae make them a better material for bioconversion than land plants according to study conducted by Toshitsugo (2008). Seaweed contains a high percentage of water, possessing a lower production rate compared to land crops, but ethanol production potential is high since seaweeds grow on a shorter span of time. Brown Sargassum seaweeds contain approximately 48% dry weight carbohydrates (Hai et al., 2007), a value higher than other known brown seaweed specie such as Gracilaria (45% dry weight), Kappaphycus (35% dry weight), and Eucheuma (45% dry weight). In order to have an efficient extraction, previous studies (Horn 2000; Percival and McDowell 1967) proposed a reduction in pH and an increase in temperature to increase solubility of laminarin, thus theoretically

providing more glucose for yeast fermentation. Horn et al. in (2000) suggested operating at pH between 4.5 and 5. 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.1 Seaweed Sample Approximately 6 kg of Sargassum seaweeds was harvested from the coast of Mambayaan, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. Foreign materials (e.g. sand) were removed by washing the sample with water. 3.2 Enzymes, Reagents, and Chemicals The -amylase used for enzymatic pretreatment and AR grade HCl, NaOH, Ca(OH)2, and absolute ethanol (as standard for analysis) were obtained from the Chemical Engineering Laboratory. 3.3 Substrate preparation Sargassum seaweed samples were oven-dried at 105oC for 24 hours until constant weight was achieved. This material underwent size reduction by using a conventional blender, producing a fine powder. Then, 450 g of the dried seaweed (SW) powder was transferred into a 2-L fermenter containing 2 L of deionized water mounted on a water bath maintained at 60oC for 1 hour, and the impeller speed was set to 350 rpm to allow complete mixing. The water bath temperature was then maintained at 37C for the whole of the fermentation period. After equilibrium temperature was obtained, the slurry was then added with aamylase. The setup was left for 30 min. 3.4 Preparation of Inocula A solution of 10 g dried yeast in 20 ml pre-warmed distilled water was prepared (37C) for 3060 min prior to use. After this the required amount of inocula must be immediately added to the fermenter. 3.5 Fermentation Following the preparation, sufficient amounts of NaOH and HCl were added to reach the desired pH of 4.5 and 6 respectively. Then the inocula was added to the slurry to initiate fermentation. The fermenter was cleaned using absolute ethanol to eliminate pre-contamination. Then, the pre-treated slurry was transferred to the fermenter. Fermenter outlet for gaseous products was connected to lime water solution to precipitate out the calcium carbonate. 3.6 Fermentation Progress and Analyses Aliquots of 1.0 mL slurry were removed six times during the whole fermentation period, with samples taken at 0 h, then every 12 hrs for the rest of the fermentation period. The samples withdrawn were centrifuged. Clear supernatant liquids obtained by centrifugation were stored in clean 10-mL test tubes covered with rubber stopper and stored at approximately 13-15oC.Final ethanol concentrations were measured using the FTIR/ATR spectrometer available at the Chemistry Department. A calibration run at varying known concentrations of ethanol/water mixtures was conducted. The peak generated at 33003500 cm-1 wave number/wavelength versus concentration plot generated after a linear regression analysis was used to project the actual values for the concentration of each sample. 3.7 Mode of Data Analysis One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and followed by T-test with comparisons against a control run and Dunnetts test. A value of P