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A. Introduction

Features and Specifications

Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its

capital is Roxas City and is located in the northeastern portion of Panay Island. Capiz is

popularly known as the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines," boasting its 80-kilometer

coastline. It holds one of the richest fishing grounds and is a major contributor in the

aquamarine industry of the Philippines. The researchers came to an idea to use the

resources of Capiz specifically the seafood shells to be the primary solution for the

occurring problem which is air pollution.

The Smart Gas Filtering Device is a device that can filter gas coming from exhausts

specifically carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons. It can also detect the

level of carbon monoxide and send an SMS notification once the filter needs to be

replaced. This device is attachable to the exhaust pipes of vehicles. It contains crushed

oyster and mussel shells for the filtration system, an MQ-2 carbon monoxide sensor and

a GSM module encased in a specially designed rectangular case. The oyster and mussel

shells consist of 95% calcium carbonate that can absorb air pollutants (Balzer et. al, 2012)

are separated alternately into four sections. The MQ-2 carbon monoxide sensor which is

connected to the vehicle’s battery will be attached after the filtering device. The GSM

module is responsible for the SMS Notification. Once the gas emitted exceeds the

emission standard for carbon monoxide, it will notify the owner of the vehicle. This device

will be able to lessen air pollution and at the same time lessen agricultural waste.
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Market Trends and Opportunities

The Philippines ranks third on the highest cases of death due to air pollution. A

May 2018 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that there were

around 45.3 deaths per 100,000 individuals due to air pollution. During the 8th Annual

Clean Air forum of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the

discussion points to vehicle emission as the leading factor that contributes 69% to the

country’s air pollution. Based on records of the Land Transportation Office, more than

6,000 vehicles have been added on the road from 2012 to 2014.

WHO also stated that as the world gets hotter and more crowded, our engines

continue to pump out dirty emissions, and half the world has no access to clean fuels or

technologies (e.g. stoves, lamps), the very air we breathe is growing dangerously

polluted: nine out of ten people now breathe polluted air, which kills 7 million people every

year. Outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health problem affecting everyone in

low, middle, and high-income countries.Ambient (outdoor) air pollution in both cities and

rural areas was estimated to cause 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide per year in

2016; this mortality is due to exposure to small particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less

in diameter (PM2.5), which cause cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and cancers.

Western Visayas in Region VI holds the largest and the richest contributors of the local

aquamarine products in the whole Philippines (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2016). Shell

farming is one of the people’s sources of livelihood in these provinces because of its

abundance of marine life. It forms an essential part of the food among Ilonggos and those

who live along coastal areas of the Visayan Sea. The variety of shellfishes found in these

provinces became an attraction to most visitors. However, empty seashells found no

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value to people and are commonly disregarded as wastes. Empty shells are thrown

anywhere contributing to the bulks of solid wastes in the environment. These shells only

contribute to agricultural waste.

According to Balzer et. al (2012), bivalve shellfish production consists in the

cultivation of the Mitilidae family represented by the perna perna mussel and the

Ostreidae family, represented by the pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Of the entire

amount of shellfish produced, 75 to 90% consists of shells. These shells are composed

of 95% calcium carbonate, and the remainder is organic matter and other compounds.

(Gatsoff, 1964) The results of the study showed that CaCO3 can be obtained from oyster

and mussel shells, since both have a similar amount of CaO to commercial CaCO3.

Analyzing the tensile and impact test results, the researchers conclude that the

composites with commercial CaCO3 and mussel or oyster shells were similar, despite the

great difference in particle size and distribution of particle size.

A study about reusing waste Shells as a SO2/NOx Removal Sorbent stated oyster

shells can be used for removal of air pollutants (SO2, H2S, CO2, HCl, NOx, etc.) from the

exhaust gases. As a desulfurization sorbents of power plants, the oyster shell is more

efficient and less expensive than limestone and so its commercialization is judged to

highly feasible. The oyster shell used in the desulfurization process exhibits a high

efficiency without calcination processing. (Jung et. al, 2012)

In a study by Yang et. al (2012), the researchers aimed to quantify the reduction

of Particulate Matter and Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons emissions from burning

incense with increasing amounts of CaCO3. The burning of solid biomaterial such as

incense, joss paper, tobacco, and wood has been demonstrated to significantly generate
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Particulate Matter (PM) (Fang et al., 2003; Choosong et al., 2010; Ning and Sioutas,

2010), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) (Yang et al., 2007; Lo et al., 2011), and

Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxin/Dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) (Wu et al., 2010; Chiu et al.,

2011; Lin et al., 2011). Experimental results indicate that the addition of 10% CaCO3 in

powder reduced the burning time by 10 ± 1.2 min, increased the burning rate by 5.0 ± 1.2

mg/min, reduced PM by 4.56 ± 0.99 mg/g-incense, and reduced P-PAHs by 0.75 ± 0.08

μg/g-incense and particle phase BaPeq by 0.15 ± 0.01 μg/g-incense with linear

regression analysis. (2012)

In 2017, engineering students from the University of the Philippines – Los Banos

created a filter made from crushed mussels that cleans tricycle exhaust. The tabulated

and graphed results of their study showed that the number of pollutants especially carbon

monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrocarbons were reduced. It shows that

Perna viridis shells (Asian Green Shell) successfully absorbed high amount of pollutants

released by a jeepney and a motorcycle; thus confirming the effectiveness of Perna viridis

shells as an exhaust filter. (Barcel et. al 2017)

Due to the alarming air pollution problem, and the great number of agricultural

waste, the researchers decided to come up with a device that will lessen agricultural

waste as well as provide mitigation to the excessive greenhouse gases emitted from

vehicles. Since, Capiz is dubbed as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines”, it is

observable that we are one of the top producers of shell waste, therefore the researchers

think that it is best to use these shells as filtering membranes to gas exhausts.
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Objectives

Generally, this study aimed to construct a smart gas filtering device w/ carbon

monoxide (CO) monitoring system and SMS notification.

Specifically the research sought to:

1. To test the accuracy of the device in detecting the levels of carbon monoxide

2. To test the notification alert of the constructed device based on the detection of

the amount of carbon monoxide.

B. Materials and Methods

Collection and Preparation of Materials:

 The materials necessary for the project was collected and prepared.

 The following materials were used: crushed oyster shells, crushed mussel

shells, and, stainless cylinder, MQ-2 carbon monoxide sensor, GSM module,

Arduino board, metal sheets, metal pipe, and motorcycle for testing.

Construction of the project:

 The construction and programming of the project was followed upon the

collection of the materials needed.

 Oyster shells and mussel shells were bought and gathered from vendors in

Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center (LIPUNAN) and Baybay, Roxas City. The

oyster and mussel shells were collected by removing the oyster and mussel

from the shell then the shells are washed and placed under the sun for 2 days

to dry.
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 The design of the metal case for the filtration system was consulted to an

engineer from Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO,

then the case was built by a mechanic.

 The filtering device is connected to the vehicle’s tailpipe which is divided into

4 sections: the crushed oyster shells and mussel shells placed alternately.

 The MQ-2 carbon monoxide sensor which is connected to the vehicle’s

battery will be attached after the filtering device.

 The data for the filtering device was obtained by pre-test and post-test. The

mean of the gases was measured with and without the device.

 Codes were programmed so once the MQ-2 sensors will be triggered, it will

notify the owner of the vehicle.

 The sensor and gsm module were then tested if it does send a notification

once the sensor detects that the gas emitted exceeds the emission standard

for carbon monoxide.

DENR Emission Standards in the Philippines:

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3D Model:

4”

9”

Figure 1.1 Side View of the Device Figure 1.2 Top View of the Device

Table 1. Measurements and specifications of the device parts

Device Parts Dimensions (Length × Width × Depth)

Smoke Filter Device Casing 9” × 4” × 4”

Biofilter Membrane 2.7 ” × 2” × 1”

Schematic Diagram:

Figure 2. Schematic Diagram of the Device

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Programming of the project:

//int redLed = 12;

//int greenLed = 11;
//int buzzer = 10;
int smokeA0 = A0;
// Your threshold value
int sensorThres = 400;

void setup() {
//pinMode(redLed, OUTPUT);
//pinMode(greenLed, OUTPUT);
//pinMode(buzzer, OUTPUT);
pinMode(smokeA0, INPUT);
Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
int analogSensor = analogRead(smokeA0);

Serial.print("Pin A0: ");

Serial.println(analogSensor);
// Checks if it has reached the threshold value
//if (analogSensor > sensorThres)
//{
//digitalWrite(redLed, HIGH);
//digitalWrite(greenLed, LOW);
//tone(buzzer, 1000, 200);
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//}
//else
//{
//digitalWrite(redLed, LOW);
//digitalWrite(greenLed, HIGH);
//noTone(buzzer);

delay(1000);
}

 Codes for Sensor with GSM Module:

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
//SIM800 TX is connected to Arduino D8
#define SIM800_TX_PIN 4

//SIM800 RX is connected to Arduino D7

#define SIM800_RX_PIN 7

//Create software serial object to communicate with SIM800

SoftwareSerial serialSIM800(SIM800_TX_PIN, SIM800_RX_PIN);
int smokeA0 = A0;
int sensorThres = 10;

void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(smokeA0, INPUT);
}
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void loop() {
int analogSensor = analogRead(smokeA0);

if (analogSensor >= 10)

{
while (!Serial);
serialSIM800.begin(9600);
delay(1000);
Serial.println("Setup Complete!");
Serial.println("Sending SMS...");
serialSIM800.write("AT+CMGF=1\r\n");
delay(1000);
serialSIM800.write("AT+CMGS=\"09201341395\"\r\n");
delay(1000);
serialSIM800.write("CSJ-R Advisory: Please check your muffler");
delay(1000);
serialSIM800.write((char)26);
delay(1000);
Serial.println("SMS Sent!");
delay(10000);
}
else {
Serial.println(analogSensor);
delay(100);
}

}
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Finalization of the project:

 The project was finalized after careful testing in the emission center with the

help of a Motor Vehicle Emission Control Technician.

Results

Table 1. Result without the device

WITHOUT T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 Verbal
DEVICE Interpretation

Carbon 0.73 0.51 1.23 0.44 0.97

Monoxide

Hydrocarbon 37 47 24 18 40

Table 2. Results with the device

WITH T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 Verbal
DEVICE Interpretation
Carbon 0.04 0.14 0.20 0.04 0.02
Monoxide

Hydrocarbon 27 12 23 15 14
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Table 1. Data without the device

Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide Hydrocarbons

Without the device 1.27% 1.1% 2449 ppm

Table 1.shows the amount of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons
collected from the motorcycle without the filtering device. An amount of 1.27% was
gathered for carbon monoxide, 1.1% for carbon dioxide, and 2449 ppm for HC.

Table 2. Data with the device

Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide Hydrocarbons

With the device 0.55% 0.5% 1688 ppm

Table 2, on the other hand, showed the results with the filtering device attached to

the exhaust pipe. The results showed that the amount of carbon monoxide with the

filtering device is 0.55%, amount of carbon dioxide is 0.5%, and amount of hydrocarbons

is 1688 ppm. There was a difference of 0.72% for carbon monoxide, 0.6% for carbon

dioxide, and 791 ppm for hydrocarbons.

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T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Gas MQ2 Gas MQ2 Gas MQ2 Gas MQ2 Gas MQ2

Analyzer Sensor Analyzer Sensor Analyzer Sensor Analyzer Sensor Analyzer Sensor

CO (%)

Table 3. Results from the Emission Center’s machine

With Device Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Test 5

Carbon 0.53% 0.54% 0.58% 0.54% 0.55%

Monoxide
(CO)

Table 3. shows the amount of carbon monoxide using the machine used by the

emission center. Test 1 resulted the amount to 0.53%, Test 2 resulted to 0.54%, Test 3

resulted to 0.58% , Test 4 showed 0.54%, and Test 5 showed 0.55%.

Table 4. Results shown by the MQ2 Sensor

With Device Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Test 5

Carbon 10 10 11 10 10
Monoxide
(CO)
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Table 4 shows the amount of carbon monoxide using the MQ2 sensor of the

device. Results showed that at around 0.53% to 0.55%, it is equivalent to 10 in Arduino.

All tests showed 10 except for Test 3, which showed 11.

Table 5. Notification Alert

Test Mode VI

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
1 1 1 1 1 1 Working
Table
Legend: 5.shows if0=Not
1= Working, the GSM Module is working or not. A value of 1 represents that
Working

the module is working,

1 and 0 means the module is not working. The codes were set for

the 0.5% emission standard. The GSM Module will send a message once it exceed 0.5%

of Carbon Monoxide. The result showed a mode of 1, which means that the GSM Module

is working thus an SMS notification was sent to the mobile phone in all five tests.

Discussion

The researchers came across the idea of creating a device that filters gas coming

out in vehicle exhausts to lessen air pollution and harmful gas emissions, which fits into

the group of health and safety. Creating this device can be also be a means of recycling

agricultural waste specifically oyster and mussel shells. This idea was formulated from a

study in UP Los Baños, where they used crushed mussel shells wrapped in gauze as

exhaust filters, placed it in a cylinder, and connected it to the exhaust pipes of tricycles.

In connection, the researchers innovated this idea, and added oyster shells to the filtering

membranes, and also a monitoring system, thus the researchers named it the Smart Gas

Filtering Device with CO Monitoring System and SMS Notifications.

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The Smart Gas Filtering Device consists of two parts. First, the filtration system,

using oyster and mussel shells as filtering membranes. The second part is the measuring

system, which detects the level of carbon monoxide. It composes of an MQ2 carbon

monoxide sensor and the GSM module that automatically sends a message to the owner

and LTO. The GSM module works depending on when the motorcycle was registered

since emission standards differ based on the date of registration. Once the sensor detects

that the gas emitted exceeds the standard, it will alert the owner to check the device and

replace the filtering membranes to make the filter effective again.

Considering the constructions, operations, and functions. The project was said to

be successful as evaluated by a motor vehicle emission control technician and further

improvements are highly important.

Conclusions

Based on the findings and analyzed data, the Smart Gas Filtering Device
was constructed well, easily operated, and all functions are observed such as its ability

to filter gas and send notifications through SMS. It is further concluded that the device

can help lessen air pollution and shell waste.

Recommendations

Based on the following findings and conclusions,

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The researchers recommended to add a hydrocarbon sensor since it is also one

of the harmful gasses produced by vehicles and part of the emission standards.

The researchers recommend to add more filtering membranes that are also waste

materials.

The researchers recommend to make the monitoring system compatible with

diesel-engined cars, since their emission standards are not measured through carbon

monoxide.

The researchers recommend to add levels for the notification alert. In the second

level, the device will notify the LTO, while in the third level, the car won’t be able to start.

The researchers recommend to improve the current design of the filtering device

into a smaller lighter but sturdier cylindrical case.

Acknowledgements

The researchers wish to acknowledge and express their deepest gratitude and

heartfelt appreciation to the people who helped in the completion of this study. Special

thanks are extended to the following:

Sir Joey D. Arroyo MAED, Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research of College

of St. John-Roxas, Sir Brayn B. Biazon, research adviser, Sir Marco Salecedo, Robotics

teacher and all the faculty, for their guidance and assistance that lead to the success of

this study.
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Sir Mariano Gul Matico, Motor Vehicle Emission Control Technician, and Engr.

Marlon A. Bonite, Environmental Management Specialist, for sharing their time and

expertise to ensure the effectivity of the device.

Mr. and Mrs. Adricula, Mr. and Mrs. Dy and Mr. and Mrs. Vela, researcher’s

parents and their siblings who extended moral, financial and never ending support;

To all Grade 11 students, for helping in collecting the materials, for the motivation

and encouragement in the conduct of the study;

Above all, to the Lord Almighty who have bestowed the researcher the gift of life,

wisdom, talent and skills and the courage to make this study possible.

REFERENCES

Hamester, M. R. R., Balzer, P. S., & Becker, D. (2012). Characterization of calcium

carbonate obtained from oyster and mussel shells and incorporation in

polypropylene. Materials Research, 15(2), 204-208.

Galtsoff PS. The American Oyster Crassostrea Virginica Gmelin. Fishery Bulletin of the

Fish and Wildlife Service. 1964; 64:43-45

Yang, Chi-Ru, Ta-Chang Lin, Yen-Shun Peng, Sun-Zone Lee, and Yih-Feng Chang.

"Reducing air pollutant emissions from burning incense with the addition of calcium

carbonate." Aerosol and Air Quality Research 12, no. 5 (2012): 972-980.
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Hapinat H. (2019). Waste from discarded oyster shells: a promising raw material for

lime industry in the Philippines. Retrieved July 24, 2019 from

http://ap.fftc.agnet.org/ap_db.php?id=984

Alanigue E. (2018) Filipino Chemical Engineering Students Develop a Tricycle Exhaust

Filter from Mussels. Retrieved July 20, 2019 from

https://gineersnow.com/engineering/chemical/filipino-chemical-engineering-students-

develop-a-tricycle-exhaust-filter-from-mussels

Barcel, R., Parungao, F., Mendoza, J., Ocampo, E. “Shells of Perna Viridiaa (Asian

Green Mussel) as a Vehicle Exhaust Filter” Retrieved September 15, 2019 from

http://onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph/ Patgazette/IPASJournal/V22N87_Inv_1st.pdf

Robles N. (2018) PH falls third in air pollution deaths  Retrieved July 19, 2019 from

https://www.asianjournal.com/philippines/across-the-islands/ph-falls-third-in-air-

pollution-deaths%e2%80%af/

World Health Organization. Retrieved July 20, 2019 from https://www.who.int/air-

pollution/news-and-events/how-air-pollution-is-destroying-our-health
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Jung, Jong-Hyeon, Jae-Jeong Lee, Gang-Woo Lee, Kyung-Seun Yoo, and Byung-Hyun

Shon. "Reuse of waste shells as a SO2/NOx removal sorbent." In Material Recycling-

Trends and Perspectives. IntechOpen, 2012.

Wu, Y.L., Li, H.W., Chien, C.H., Lai, Y.C. and Wang, L.C. (2010). Monitoring and

Identification of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Dibenzofurans in the Ambient

Central Taiwan. Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 10: 463–471

Yang, C.R., Lin, T.C. and Chang, F.H. (2007). Particle Size Distribution and PAH

Concentrations of Incense Smoke in a Combustion Chamber. Environ. Pollut. 145: 606–

615
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APPENDICES

PROGRAMMING CODES

 Codes for sensor:

//int redLed = 12;

//int greenLed = 11;
//int buzzer = 10;
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int smokeA0 = A0;

// Your threshold value
int sensorThres = 400;

void setup() {
//pinMode(redLed, OUTPUT);
//pinMode(greenLed, OUTPUT);
//pinMode(buzzer, OUTPUT);
pinMode(smokeA0, INPUT);
Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
int analogSensor = analogRead(smokeA0);

Serial.print("Pin A0: ");

Serial.println(analogSensor);
// Checks if it has reached the threshold value
//if (analogSensor > sensorThres)
//{
//digitalWrite(redLed, HIGH);
//digitalWrite(greenLed, LOW);
//tone(buzzer, 1000, 200);
//}
//else
//{
//digitalWrite(redLed, LOW);
//digitalWrite(greenLed, HIGH);
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//noTone(buzzer);

delay(1000);
}

 Codes for Sensor with GSM Module:

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
//SIM800 TX is connected to Arduino D8
#define SIM800_TX_PIN 4

//SIM800 RX is connected to Arduino D7

#define SIM800_RX_PIN 7

//Create software serial object to communicate with SIM800

SoftwareSerial serialSIM800(SIM800_TX_PIN, SIM800_RX_PIN);
int smokeA0 = A0;
int sensorThres = 10;

void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(smokeA0, INPUT);
}

void loop() {
int analogSensor = analogRead(smokeA0);

if (analogSensor >= 10)

{
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while (!Serial);
serialSIM800.begin(9600);
delay(1000);
Serial.println("Setup Complete!");
Serial.println("Sending SMS...");
serialSIM800.write("AT+CMGF=1\r\n");
delay(1000);
serialSIM800.write("AT+CMGS=\"09201341395\"\r\n");
delay(1000);
serialSIM800.write("CSJ-R Advisory: Please check your muffler");
delay(1000);
serialSIM800.write((char)26);
delay(1000);
Serial.println("SMS Sent!");
delay(10000);
}
else {
Serial.println(analogSensor);
delay(100);
}

Documentation:
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