Field Tour Experiences on Energy Technology Installations-

CLSU-AREC Initiated Projects

by

SHERWIN O. VALDEZ
MSAE Student

A course activity submitted to Prof. Angelito V. Angeles as partial requirement to the

subject “Energy Use and Management in Agricultural System” (CPE-721)

March 16, 2010

1.
 Table of Contents

Title Page
Background 1
Objective 1
Highlight of Results 1
Solar energy 1
Biomass energy 2
Water energy 3
Summary, Conclusions 4
References 5
List of Figures

Figure 1. Small Water Impounding Support

Project for Water Stress Communities (Tawi- 6
Tawi Model)” located at brgy. Matayumtayum,
La Paz, Tarlac.
Figure 2. The 5.5hp direct coupled 2” gasoline
6
engine water pump.
Figure 3. The on-going construction of Water
Depository Tank , Brgy. Matayumtayum, 7
Lapaz, Tarlac.
Figure 4. The 85w Solar Panel Installation,
7
Brgy. Matayumtayum, La Paz, Tarlac.
Figure 5. Typical Biogas System installation
8
and utilization, Brgy. Tibag, Pulilan, Bulacan.
Figure 6. Surge Tanks built from oil drums,
9
brgy. Aquino, Tiaong, Quezon.
Figure 7. Students walking along the steep
terrain towards the power house, Brgy. 9
Aquino, Tiaong, Quezon.
Figure 8. Photos taken from AMTEC, UP Los
10
Banos Campus, Los Banos, Laguna.
Figure 9. Photos taken along the highways 11
Figure 10. Steam Pipes of Geothermal Power Plant
12
along the hiway, Bay, Laguna.
Figure 11. Photos taken from Brgy. Tibag, 13
Pulilan, Bulacan.
 Field Tour Experiences on Energy Technology Installations-
CLSU-AREC Initiated Projects

Background:

Prof. Angelito V. Angeles, Director of CLSU-AREC and our Professor in CPE

721 has arranged a field laboratory tour with the group of four (4) MSAE students
and eleven (11) BSAE students last January 22-23, 2010, as a requirement for the
student’s respective subject under him. The formal tour itinerary was to visit the
project installation of solar-assisted irrigation system in Matayumtayum, La Paz,
Tarlac, the biogas system in Tibag, Pulilan, Bulacan, AMTEC at UPLB, Los Banos,
Laguna and the micro-hydro power system in Aquino, Tiaong, Quezon.

Objective:

The activity aims to provide actual technical know-how, experiences and

exposures on actual energy system installation projects initiated and implemented by
CLSU-AREC. Specifically, it aims to know the technical detail of the energy
installation, its use, theory and application.

Methodology:

1. Field tour experience, first hand information gathering from the project site.
2. Hands-on learning from the actual project demonstration & implementation.
3. Documentation, appreciation of hardware installation of different energy
systems.

Highlights of Result:

There were 3 energy system installations visited, as follows:

a. Solar energy
b. Biomass energy (in terms of biogas)
c. Water energy

1. Solar energy

The “Small Water Impounding Support Project for Water Stress Communities
(Tawi-Tawi Model)” located at brgy. Matayumtayum, La Paz, Tarlac is a solar-
assisted irrigation system and Activity Center funded by the National Irrigation
Administration thru the joint effort of Prof. Angelito V. Angeles of CLSU-AREC and
the Provincial Irrigation Officer, Engr. Prudencio Santos. The project aimed to
provide water for the irrigation of vegetables that will be planted in the area through
drip irrigation. Its location is surrounded with rice crop with at least 10 STW’s
installation near the site. “No irrigation system in the area and dependent only on
rain water during the wet season and pumped water during the dry season”, as
explained by a farmer spectator.
 The project consists of a concrete water tank and an activity center. The water
tank has a dimension of 6 ft x 18 ft x 10 m. and water that will fill the tank will be rain
water during rainy season and ground water during dry season. The system
comprises an open-type shed, water depository tank, water well, and the irrigation
application component which has not yet been started at the time of our visit. The
shed has a floor dimension of about 20’ x 20’. The water well has a floor size of 18’ x
6’, which is used temporarily in pumping water for construction use (gravel/cement
mixing, daily use of project workers) through a 5.5hp direct coupled water pump and
temporarily contain in drum prior to using (figure 2). The water depository tank is for
impounding pumped water from the well and precipitation water diverted from the
roofing of the shed towards the tank (figure 3). The 5.5 Hp gasoline engine water
pump will be powered by a solar panel, 85 watts capacity temporarily installed at the
site to provide lighting for the workers (figure 4).

Its location is surrounded with rice crop with at least 10 STW’s installation
near the site. “No irrigation system in the area and dependent only on rain water
during the wet season and pumped water during the dry season”, as explained by a
farmer spectator.

It was called Tawi Tawi model because when it rains, the place is surrounded
with flood and becomes like an island. A micro hydro will be constructed wherein a
water current turbine will be used, a turbine which is not a high pressure type. This
type of turbine generates power using water current.

2. Biomass Energy

The CLSU model biogas digester is a fixed dome type and has a capacity of
10 m3. The project was a private contract between CLSU-ANEC and Atty. Calderon
located at brgy. Tibag, Pulilan, Bulacan. It is implemented through the Kilusang
Pangkalikasan ng Bulacan, Inc. (KPBI), Department of Energy (DOE) and CLSU-
AREC.

The system is utilizing hog waste which is directed to a digester that is

constructed below the ground level. After some period of decomposing such waste it
produces flammable gas in a form of methane gas. Sludge shall necessary be
collected from the digester from time to time.

During our visit at the project site, there were 15 heads of sow which provide
source of waste for decomposition which eventually produces methane gas as the
process progresses. The system was utilized for providing gas for household
cooking .I have observed the placing of water to the top of the digester where the
gas outlet pipe is located. This is to test for any gas leak. We also witnessed the
testing of flame produced by the biogas from a burner located several meters from
the biogas digester. This meets the standards in the design of a biogas system. The
typical process flow of the biogas system which was also observed in Pulilan project
is presented in figure 5.
 3. Water Energy

The Micro Hydro Power Plant in Aquino, Tiaong has an installed capacity of
30 kVA and having a head of 100 meters. It was designed to generate electrical
power to address lighting requirements, power pumps and charge batteries in the
locality. It was implemented through the CLSU-AREC, Office of Cong. Proceso
Alcala and the Local Government Unit of Tiaong, Quezon. It was built to provide
electrification of the village and for supplementary irrigation of vegetable or crop
production grown in the area. It has a 20-kW power generating capacity which was
installed from the highest location of collecting water (water intake) down the river
channel at the base of the mountain (power house).

The power house provides shelter to the turbine which translates the kinetic
energy of the flowing water into mechanical energy. A 30-kW generator was
attached to the shaft of the turbine to translate that energy into electrical energy
which can be distributed to the housing units in the village. A huge penstock of 12”
diameter shall direct water from the surge tank towards the turbine. The surge tanks
were constructed from oil drums (figure 6).

However, the system is not yet functional since it is still under construction.
Major parts that we were able to visit are the following: the forebay, surge tank,
penstock and the turbine and generator assembly.

The Micro Hydro Power Project was located at the mountainous area with
relatively steep terrain down the location of power house and about 8km drive from
the town of Tiaong, Quezon (figure 7).

4. Other Activities

The Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) of the

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT) in Los Banos,
Laguna was also visited by the group. AMTEC is the sole testing center of
agricultural machines and equipment in the Philippines. Machines intended for
commercialization can be evaluated using Philippine Agricultural Engineering
Standards (PAES), and manufacturers can refer to them in improving the design and
fabrication of the machines. Engr. Romulo Eusebio who is the head of the testing
and evaluation unit of AMTEC gave briefings on what AMTEC are doing, the actual
set-up of testing equipment (e.i. pumps, tractor, engine, blower) and the equipment
used for testing and evaluation (figure 8). He discussed how they test agricultural
engines and how they establish a performance curve (i.e. head capacity curve, input
power curve, efficiency curve) from actual tests performed. The group gathered other
sample data during engine testing like torque, speed, fuel consumption, noise level
and temperature at exhaust. He also demonstrated the procedure on how they
determine the brake horsepower of agricultural tractors using the prony-brake
dynamometer. The

During the trip we had opportunity to view other energy systems along the
road such as the windpump system near the Pulilan NLEX exit, the solar panel
installation for lighting at KM47 along NLEX in San Simon, Pampanga and the steam
conveying pipes of a geothermal power plant in Bay, Laguna (figure 9).
 Atty. Jean Calderon invited the group for a boat ride and humbly sponsored
free lunch for the group when we visited the biogas project in Brgy. Tibag, Pulilan,
Bulacan. She likewise explained that such boat is also use not only for picnic
activities but also for monitoring the water condition of the lake (figure 10).

Summary, Conclusions:

Prof. Angelito V. Angeles, Director of CLSU-AREC and our Professor in CPE

721 has headed a field laboratory tour with the group of four (4) MSAE students and
eleven (11) BSAE students last January 22-23, 2010, as a requirement for the
student’s respective subject under him. It aims to gain experiences on actual energy
technology installations.

The group visited three (3) energy system’s installation; as follows, 1) a “small
water impounding support project for water stress communities” in Matayumtayum,
Lapaz, Tarlac, a solar-assisted irrigation system, 2) a “biogas system” in Tibag,
Pulilan, Bulacan for household cooking application, 3) a “micro-hydro power system”
in Aquino, Tiaong, Quezon for village electrification.

The Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) of the

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT) in Los Banos,
Laguna was also visited by the group . We also observed other energy systems
along the highways/expressways such as the solar panel for lighting along the NLEX
at San Simon, Pampanga, the wind pump system near the NLEX Pulilan exit, and
steam conveying pipes of a geothermal power plant in Bay, Laguna.

Lastly, we must remember the following important lessons whenever there are
field tours to be conducted in the future as far as our field of expertise is concerned;

1. THINGS THAT SHOULD BE DONE AGAIN

a. Be prepared always. Bring with you things
that are needed during the trip like camera,
field notes, ball pen, cell phone, water, food
and extra money.
b. Get enough sleep the night before the trip.
c. Prepare an outline on the data that should
be gathered.
d. Follow all instructions given during the trip.

2. THINGS THAT SHOULD NEVER BE DONE AGAIN

a. Bringing of unnecessary things.
b. Talking while discussion is going on.

3. THINGS THAT SHOULD BE IMPROVED

a. Listening attentively to the discussions during
the trip.
b. Learn how to take down notes faster.
c. Being smart and keen observer.
References:

Micro-hydro Power: A guide for Development Workers, P. Fraenkel et. al.

Philippine Agricultural Scientist Journal (PASJ), Technical and Scientific Writing

Format.
R.P. Nem Singh, J.O. Calixihan, Fundamentals of Technical Writing.
List of Figures:

a) perspective view of the open-

type shed

Figure 1. The Small Water Impounding Support Project for

Water Stress Communities (Tawi-Tawi Model)
Matayumtayum, La Paz, Tarlac.

Figure 2. The 5.5hp direct coupled gasoline

engine water pump, 2”
Figure 3. The on-going construction water depository tank at
Matayumtayum, Lapaz, Tarlac. January 22, 2010

Figure 4. The 85w solar panel installation at

Matayumtayum,La Paz, Tarlac. January 22, 2010
1. waste source from animal manure 2. waste collection

4. gas application 3. waste decomposition & gas

(cooking or heating)

5. mixture for organic fertilizer 4. sludge collection

Figure 5. Typical biogas system installation and utilization, Brgy. Tibag,

Pulilan, Bulacan, January 22, 2010.
 Figure 6. Surge tanks built from oil drums, brgy.
Aquino, Tiaong, Quezon, January 23, 2010

Figure 7. Students walking along the steep terrain towards the power house at Brgy.
Aquino, Tiaong, Quezon. January 23, 2010
 a)Prof. Angeles, Engr. Eusebio and AE b) New Kubota B7510 Tractor
students at AMTEC

c) Set-up of tractor testing d) Set-up of engine testing

e) Set-up of blower testing e) Set-up dynamometer testing

Figure 8. Photos taken from AMTEC, UP Los Banos Campus, Los Banos,
Laguna, January 22, 2010
 a) solar panel for lighting along NLEX at
San Simon, Pampanga

b) wind turbine for water pumping c) concrete water tank

Figure 9. Photos taken along the highways

b) steam pipes of geothermal power plant along the highway, Bay, Laguna, January 22, 2010
a) the banker assisting the group b) Atty. Calderon giving briefings to
the group

c) view of the lake from the boat d) view of the boat from
the shore

Figure 10. Photos taken from brgy. Tibag, Pulilan, Bulacan, January 22, 2020