Chapter One

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

There is probably no bigger concern in production of electricity than a Renewable
Energy. Today, Engineers, not only Electrical Engineers, are collaborating to improve the
existing devices that harness energy from our renewable sources. Different factors affect
the efficiency of these devices, these factors also determine the limitations of these
devices, whether it can work on a certain time or a certain circumstance. Just like how
solar power plant is not functioning at night and just like how wind turbines are being
shut down during typhoon or when wind pressure exceeds a certain limit.
1.2 Problem Statement
This project aimed to design and construct an electrostatic generator that can help
the residents of Barangay Calmay by providing them with a sustainable, green energy
source that they can use to charge their mobile phones and other devices that could
provide them with light at night. This can also be used as an emergency source of
electricity.

Specifically, this study sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the problems encountered by the fisher folks of Brgy. Calmay?
2. What benefit can the people of Calmay, specifically the fisher folks, derive
from the project?
3. What are the requirements to construct this project in terms of;
a. Materials needed
b. Electrolyte to be used
c. Financial aspect

4. What tests are conducted to determine the project’s functionality and

reliability?

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1.3 Significance of the Study
This study aimed to develop an alternative source of energy that will be used to
energize electrical loads and provide illumination to the residents of Brgy. Calmay who
do not have any source of electricity.

To the Researchers. This project shall provide a knowledge-enriching experience

regarding renewable energy which they may use in their future careers.

To the User. The study will benefit the user by having a portable battery. This
set-up can also be used as an emergency device.

To the Educators. This project can further enhance the skills and knowledge of
the instructors and may serve as additional information.

To the EE Student. This project will introduce generating electricity using Pantal
River’s water and also enhance their knowledge regarding renewable energy.

To the Future Designers. This will serve as a guide for the upgrading and
enhancing of this benchmark project.

1.4 Scope and Limitations

The focus was on the salinity of water by testing the prototype in different kinds
of water like fresh water, seawater, and the river water. This project also focused on how
to increase the power output by testing different types of electrodes.

This project is limited to providing small lighting loads and charging for mobile
phones. Hence, it is not capable of energizing large appliances.

1.5 Conceptual Framework

This section presents the input, process, and output of the thesis. The input of the
thesis is the materials and designs needed to create the prototype. The process is the
construction of the electrostatic generator with improved specifications and the output
will be the finished prototype of the study.

The inputs of the research are the problems of the residents of Brgy. Calmay,
materials needed, and what benefit can the people of Calmay derive from this project.

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This part also includes gathering data from different sources like books and on the
internet.

The process includes sorting and analyzing of gathered data from different
sources, construction of the prototype and testing the prototype performance

The output is the working prototype, proven to be safe and effective.

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1.6 Paradigm of the Study

The diagram below is the research paradigm which summarizes the conceptual
framework of the study.

Input Process

1.What are the problems

encountered by the residents of Rapid Prototyping
Brgy. Calmay?
2. What are the materials
&
needed?
3. What benefit can the people
of Brgy. Calmay, specifically, Gathering and Analysis of
the fisher folks derive from the Data
project?

Output

Electrostatic Generator

Figure 1.6.1 Research Paradigm

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1.7 Definition of terms

The following terms are hereby defined operationally to provide a clear

understanding of the contents of the study:

Anode - is an electrode through which conventional current flows into a polarized

electrical device. A common mnemonic is ACID for "anode current into device". In

recharging the battery or an electrolytic cell, the anode is the positive terminal which

receives current from the external generator. The researchers used activated carbon and

copper.

Activated Carbon – is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that

increase the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions.

Cathode - is the electrode from which conventional current leaves a polarized electrical

device. The cathode attracts cations or positive charge and it is the source of electrons or

an electron donor. So current moves from the cathode to the anode. The researchers used

magnesium rod as a cathode.

Magnesium Rod–The saltwater slowly dissolves the magnesium sheet to produce

hydrogen ions that migrate to the carbon anode, thus creating an electrical current.

Desalination - is a process that extracts mineral components from saline water. More

generally, desalination refers to the removal of salts and minerals from a target substance.

Electrodes - is an electrical conductor used to make contact with a non-metallic part of a

circuit (e.g. a semiconductor, an electrolyte, a vacuum or air).

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Electrolyte - is a substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when

dissolved in a polar solvent, such as water. The dissolved electrolyte separates

into cations and anions, which disperse uniformly through the solvent. Electrically, such

a solution is neutral. If an electric potential is applied to such a solution, the cations of the

solution are drawn to the electrode that has an abundance of electrons, while the anions

are drawn to the electrode that has a deficit of electrons. The movement of anions and

cations in opposite directions within the solution amounts to a current.

Electrolytic cell - is an electrochemical cell that drives a non-spontaneous redox reaction

through the application of electrical energy. They are often used to decompose chemical

compounds, in a process called electrolysis—the Greek word lysis means to break up.

Green energy - comes from natural sources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, plants,

algae and geothermal heat. These energy resources are renewable, meaning they are

naturally replenished. In contrast, fossil fuels are a finite resource that takes millions of

years to develop and will continue to diminish with use.

Membrane -is a selective barrier; it allows some things to pass through but stops others.

Such things may be molecules, ions, or other small particles.

Renewable energy - is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are

naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves,

and geothermal heat.

Salinity - is the saltiness or amount of salt dissolved in a body of water

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Salt water - is water that contains a significant concentration of dissolved salts (mainly

NaCl). The salt concentration is usually expressed in parts per thousand (permille, ‰) or

parts per million (ppm).