Chapter I

Introduction

Background of the Study

The study was conducted in order to determine if there is an efficient way to redirect the

water back to the water (H2O) tank in order to reuse the water that originally came from said

water (H2O) tank.

In incorporating hydropower into this experiment, researchers have decided to use an

overshot water (H2O) wheel connected to a 6 volts direct current (DC) motor. They chose to use

a water (H2O) wheel due to its straightforward construction. They are appropriate for small,

highly alternating amounts of water. Water wheels with proper construction can achieve up to

80% efficiency. They require little maintenance, are simple to repair, and have a long lifespan.

The Philippines is facing a looming energy crisis as the Malampaya natural gas fields,

which supply about a third of Luzon’s energy needs, are expected to be depleted by 2024. A

rising population and some of the highest electricity costs in Southeast Asia present formidable

energy production challenges for the country. High electricity prices and the country’s heavy

reliance on imported fuel pushed the Philippine government to revive plans to add nuclear

energy to the country’s power mix, despite safety warnings from environmental experts.

Many rural areas have limited or no access to electricity. This is because either the

location is too remote or the power plant is too far away. Rural areas in poor countries are

frequently at a disadvantage in terms of access to power. Because of the high expense of

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delivering this service in low populated, distant areas with rough terrain and little usage, rural

electricity projects are typically more expensive to install than urban projects. Furthermore, low

rural incomes might cause economic issues, and lengthy distances mean higher electricity losses

and more expensive customer support and equipment maintenance.

Statement of the Problem

This research focuses on the efficiency of the water (H2O) wheel as a mechanism for

supplying power to a population that does not have access to it.

The researchers aim to answer the following questions:

● Will the researchers be able to make a waterwheel that can produce electricity?

● How can a waterwheel become a producer of electricity?

● Can the waterwheel be efficient in producing power continuously?

General Objectives

1. The study attempts to determine how efficient a water (H2O) wheel is at providing

electricity.

Specific Objectives

1. To determine if the speed at which the water (H2O) wheel spins is the basis of electricity

production.

2. To find out how much power the water (H2O) wheel can produce.

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 3. To find out if the non-electric siphon pump can replenish the water back into the

water (H2O) tank.

3.1. If not, for how long can the water (H2O) wheel spin continuously, depending on the

volume of the water (H2O) tank?

Hypotheses

Null

The water (H2O) wheel can not spin quickly enough to generate power.

Affirmative

When a water (H2O) wheel spins faster, it can produce more power.

Significance of the Study

The people who most benefit from this study are those who lack access to electricity. This

leads to an imbalance in urban areas compared to rural areas. Out of over 1.4 billion people

without access to electricity, 85% are from rural areas (Energypedia). The answer to this problem

is the H2O wheel. This incorporates flowing water, similar to waterfalls, with the process of

converting it into electricity at a low cost.

The design or information that will be collected in this study should prevent further cases

of no access to electricity or just decrease the percentage by a significant amount.

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Scope and Limitations

This study is limited to the contraption's size, voltage output, wheel speed, and tank

height in order to emit energy from the DC motor. It limits the design's effectiveness in rural

areas since it needs space.

Inclusive Dates of Study

Nov. 21, 2022 - First Title Proposal (Three titles were rejected)

Jan. 17, 2023 - Second Title Proposal (Approved)

Jan. 21, 2023 - Making of Chapter 2

Jan. 23, 2023 - Submission of Chapter 2 (Approved)

Feb. 19, 2023 - Making of Chapter 3

Mar. 9, 2023 - Submission of Chapter 3 (Approved)

Mar. 10, 2023 - First Trial (First Design)

Mar. 12, 2023 - Second Trial (Second Design)

Mar. 20, 2023 - Revision of Chapter 3

April 2, 2023 - Making of Chapter 1

April 10, 2023 - Submission of Chapter 1 (Needs Revision)

April 24, 2023 - Gathering Data and Results

April 28, 2023 - Finalizing Chapter 1 - Chapter 3

May 1, 2023 - Third Trial (Final Design)

May 1, 2023 - Making of Chapter 4 - Chapter 5

May 11, 2023 - Finalizing Chapter 4 - Chapter 5

May 12, 2023 - Checking of Grammar

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Place of Study

Jan Lorenzo Reyes’ Residence - 131 M.H. Del Pilar, Brgy., Bungad, Project 7, Quezon City

Definition of Terms

DC motor - A rotary electrical machine connected to the H2O wheel that converts mechanical

energy into electrical energy.

Electrical wire - an electrical cabling used to transfer electricity from the DC motor to the LED

lights.

hydropower - It uses the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity.

H2O wheel - Takes advantage of flowing or falling water to generate power by using a set of

paddles mounted around a wheel.

LED Light - The sample that indicates if the DC motor is producing electricity.

overshot H2O wheel - A type of H2O wheel that can be built if there is a significant height drop

in the river or body of water being used to move the wheel.

PVC faucet socket - A fitting used to hold the PVC faucet in place.

Receptacle - A device into which an electric cord can be plugged in order to provide electricity

for the LED lights.

shaft - a cylindrical component that extrudes out from the DC motor and its housing. The

purpose of the shaft is to convert energy from the motor into an end use application.

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siphon - A tube used to convey liquid upwards from a reservoir and then down to a lower level

of its own accord. Once the liquid has been forced into the tube, typically by suction or

immersion, flow continues unaided.

Teflon tape - a sealant used on the faucet. It strengthens the joints and stops the leak.

torque - a twisting force that tends to cause rotation.

Voltage - a measure of how strong the current is in a circuit.

volume - The space occupied within the boundaries of the basin

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 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature and Conceptual Framework

Foreign Literature

The History of the Waterwheel

A vertical water wheel has been credited to Vitruvius, an engineer who died in 14 CE.

The wheels were used for crop irrigation and grinding grains, as well as to supply drinking water

to villages. In later years, they drove sawmills, pumps, forge bellows, tilt-hammers, and trip

hammers, and even powered textile mills. The water wheel was probably the first method of

generating power. (Bellis, 2019).

As early as the first century, the horizontal water wheel—which was horribly inefficient

in transferring the power of the current to the milling mechanism—was replaced by water wheels

of the vertical design. The first water wheels were horizontal and can be described as grindstones

mounted atop vertical shafts whose vaned or paddled lower ends dipped into a swift stream.

(Bellis, 2019).

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 Horizontal Waterwheel Vertical Waterwheel

The combination of a water wheel and mill is known as a watermill. An early

horizontal-wheeled watermill used for grinding grain in Greece was called the "Norse Mill." In

Syria, watermills were known as "noriahs." They were used to run mills that turned cotton into

cloth. Water wheels were most frequently used to power various types of mills. (Bellis, 2019).

A more effective wheel could be rotated vertically in the flow of the water thanks to the

development of gearing using the Noria concept, and the use of gears also allowed for the

transfer of power from the horizontal axle to the vertical rotary quern. The first vertical wheels

had an undershot configuration, which meant that the paddles were lowered into the stream

current and turned at the speed of the river current. As a result, there was little control over how

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the wheel turned in response to the rise and fall of the water currents. (History Page 2 - the

Physics of a Water Wheel, n.d.)

Around the first or second century AD, the Romans began making vertical overshot

wheels, and China followed suit later. The overshot was more expensive to construct because, in

addition to the mill, a dam and water race were required to transport the water to the top of the

water wheel. The breast and overshot wheels were a huge step forward in increasing the wheel's

efficiency. In addition to the velocity of the current, the weight of the water hitting the wheel

increased the amount of torque produced by the wheel.

With his first model in 1827, Benoît Fourneyron began to replace water wheels with a

smaller, less expensive, and more effective turbine. Turbines are capable of handling high heads,

or elevations, that exceed the capability of practical sized waterwheels. (Water Wheels (PA

Technology) - Energypedia, n.d.)

A well-built waterwheel can have an efficiency of up to 80%, a simple hydraulic design

and construction, low maintenance costs, is incredibly simple to fix, and has a long lifespan.

They are suitable for small, highly alternating water quantities. (Kapoor, 2022).

How a Water (H2O) Wheel Operates

A waterwheel is a type of device that uses a set of paddles mounted around a wheel to

harness the power of flowing or falling water to power a variety of machines through a shaft at

the center of the wheel. These wheels are typically large and made of wood or metal, with

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numerous blades or buckets along the edge of the wheel to capture the power. (Waterwheel -

Energy Education, n.d.)

These wheels need a source of falling or flowing water, which can be streams or rivers.

Damming a flowing stream can occasionally result in the formation of special ponds known as

mill ponds. This creates a mill race, which connects the two ponds. Typically installed vertically

over a body of water, this axle transfers the energy from the falling water to a drive belt or a gear

system, which then powers a machine. (Waterwheel - Energy Education, n.d.)

How a DC Motor Generates Electricity

A DC motor is a sort of electric machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical

energy.

The motor shaft's spinning generates power. Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction

will plainly explain it. The output voltage is exactly proportional to the motor speed, while the

current depends on the magnitude or size of the motor.

The stator, which is the stationary portion of a motor, and the armature, which rotates, are

the two main parts of a DC motor. The stator generates a rotating magnetic field that causes the

armature to rotate. (Everything You Need to Know About DC Motors | RS, n.d.)

One or more windings of insulated wire are wrapped around the core of the motor to

concentrate the magnetic field. A simple DC motor uses a stationary set of magnets in the stator

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and a coil of wire with current flowing through it to generate an electromagnetic field aligned

with the center of the coil. (Everything You Need to Know About DC Motors | RS, n.d.)

A commutator, a rotary electrical switch, is connected to the windings of insulated wire,

which applies an electrical current to the windings and enables each armature coil to be

energized in turn, producing a steady rotating force (known as torque). (Everything You Need to

Know About DC Motors | RS, n.d.)

Local Literature

In order to generate low-cost and dependable micro-hydropower even in shallow or

low-speed water streams, HeliosAltas, one of the winners of the first Asian Development Bank

(ADB) Technology Innovation Challenge for the Energy Sector, is currently testing the use of a

micro-hydro wheel in the Daguitan Canal, an irrigation source close to Tacloban City in the

Visayas region of the Philippines (Testing the Waters: Bringing Micro-Hydropower Closer to

Communities, n.d.)

Other micro-hydro systems on the market need much faster water flow and at least 2

meters of depth, whereas HeliosAltas' micro-hydro turbine and generator only require 0.75

meters per second of water flow and 15 cm of depth. (Savage & Savage, 2021).

The Balingasag project in the Philippines, in particular, shows the technology's impact in remote,

tropical areas where solar/battery power alone is not sufficient and cannot be reached by

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traditional grid-tied power. This HeliosAltas-funded rural electrification project included

streetlights, utility drops for each house, and power for a community water transfer pump and

storage tank. It was completed in only 2 weeks. This HeliosAltas-funded rural electrification

project included streetlights, utility drops for each house, and power for a community water

transfer pump and storage tank. (Testing the Waters: Bringing Micro-Hydropower Closer to

Communities, n.d.-b)

In northern Mindanao, HeliosAltas has already tested a smaller 2.5kW version of its

micro-hydro system with faster flowing water that can power 60 people (Savage & Savage,

2021b).

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Conceptual Framework

13
 Chapter III

Methodology

Materials and Equipment

Plastic caps Plastic Spoons

Sticks (⌀ 0.75 cm) Cuboidal Basin

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 Cylindrical Basin PVC Faucet

Dkmckmdc PVC Faucet Socket Wooden Boards

Teflon Tape 6 volt DC Motor

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2.5 volt LED Lights Receptacl

Electrical Wire Glue Sticks

Super Glue Rubber Band

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jkwhjdnnncnnnnnnNails Sealed Bearing

jsncjsncsjjsnjsncnjClampdjndncdcndjncnc Soldering Iron

Glue Gun Scissors

17
Screwdriver Hose

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Cost Benefit Analysis

4pcs. - Stick (0.75 cm in diameter) Available at Home

Cylindrical Basin Available at Home

Cuboidal Basin Available at Home

PVC Faucet ₱40

PVC Faucet Socket ₱20

Teflon Tape Available at Home

6 volt DC motor ₱56

2pcs. - 2.5 volt LED light ₱24

2pcs. - Receptacle ₱50

Electrical Wire ₱Available at Home

Glue Stick Available at Home

Super Glue Available at Home

Rubber Band Available at Home

Wooden Boards Available at Home

Hose Available at Home

Total Cost: ₱246

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Flow Chart

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Procedures

STEP 1: Construction of the H2O Wheel

1.1 Make a hole in the plastic cap using the soldering iron and glue the bearing.

1.2 Cut the eight plastic spoons.

1.3 Glue the heads of the spoons.

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1.4 Connect the two sticks together from end to end using superglue.

1.5 Slide the H2O wheel into the stick and glue it.

1.6 Make a hole with another plastic cap using the soldering iron.

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1.7 Glue the plastic cap on the side of the H2O wheel. The H2O wheel is now complete.

STEP 2: Connecting the H2O Wheel to the Basin

2.1 Create a divot on the wall of the basin using the soldering iron.

2.2 Press the stick until it meets the divot. The H2O wheel is now connected to the basin.

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2.3 Insert a hose at under the basin

STEP 3: Construction of the H2O Tower

3.1 Create a tower using the pre-cut wooden boards.

3.2 Create a hole in the cylindrical basin using the soldering iron.

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3.3 Wrap the thread of the PVC faucet with Teflon tape and insert. Then, insert the PVC faucet

into the PVC faucet socket that is inside the cylindrical basin.

3.4 Glue the cylindrical basin to the wooden tower. The H2O tank is now complete.

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STEP 4: Construction of Electrical Components

4.1 Attach another wooden board parallel to the vertical part of the H2O tower. The height of the

said wooden board should be higher than the axis of the H2O wheel.

4.2 Place the 6 volt DC motor on top of the wooden board. Screw a clamp into the wooden

board to secure the DC motor.

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4.3 Screw the receptacles on the bottom part of the H2O tower.

4.4 Screw the LED lights into the receptacle.

4.5 Use the electrical wire to connect the DC motor to the receptacle. The electrical components

are now installed.

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4.6 Glue the plastic cap on the shaft of the DC motor.

STEP 5: Connecting the Electrical Parts to the H2O Wheel

Connect the two plastic caps using the rubber band. The electrical parts are now connected to the

H2O wheel.

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 Chapter IV

Presentation and Analysis of Data

Water (H2O) Wheel Design

Trial RPM Power Characteristics Observation Adjustment

(revolutions output
per minute) (Voltage)

1 71rpm 0.7 wood warped

when wet,
and the
rubber band
gets caught
on the side

2 118rpm 1.5 plastic Wet changed the

conditions materials for
don’t affect a simpler
the shape of and lighter
wheel design

Place (Trials 1 and 2)

Residence Name: Reyes Family

Address: 131 M.H. Del Pilar, Brgy. Bungad, Project 7, Quezon City

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Replenishing System

Trial Material Adjustment Water Replenished

1 Siphon Pump 0ml

2 Siphon Pump Changed the basin 0ml

design

3 Water Hose Changed the same amount as the

material water tank releases

Place (Trials 1-3)

Residence Name: Reyes Family

Address: 131 M.H. Del Pilar, Brgy. Bungad, Project 7, Quezon City

Analysis of Data

Water (H2O) Wheel Design

From the given data, trial 2 is more effective than trial 1. It is proven that the product

from the trial is lighter and more symmetrical in shape, giving it a faster and smoother spin. This

means that trial 2 would produce more electricity than trial 1. However, the DC motor used by

the researchers isn’t as efficient as expected. The specific motor that was used required a vast

amount of torque in order to produce enough power.

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Replenishing System

From the given data, trials 1 and 2 failed. The siphoning effect did not work because the

pipeline discharge was higher than the pipeline source and the pressure of the water (H2O) was

too high for the siphoning effect to work continuously.

On the other hand, trial 3 succeeded. However, it wasn’t as efficient as the researchers

planned. In order for the water to be replenished, a manual effort was needed. Every time the

water (H2O) tank gets depleted, a person is needed to dump the water back into the tank.

Theoretical

In theory, a DC generator is an electrical machine whose main function is to convert

mechanical energy into electricity. The torque and speed relationship is inversely proportional

since the rated output power of a motor is a fixed value. As output speed increases, the available

output torque decreases proportionately. As the output torque increases, the output speed

decreases proportionately.

When the conductor slashes magnetic flux, an emf will be generated based on the

electromagnetic induction principle of Faraday’s Laws. This electromotive force can cause a

flow of current when the conductor circuit is closed.

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 Faraday's law states that the absolute value or magnitude of the circulation of the electric

field around a closed loop is equal to the rate of change of the magnetic flux through the area

enclosed by the loop.​

Any change in the magnetic environment of a coil of wire will cause a voltage (emf) to

be "induced" in the coil. No matter how the change is produced, voltage will be generated. The

change could be produced by changing the magnetic field strength, moving a magnet toward or

away from the coil, moving the coil into or out of the magnetic field, rotating the coil relative to

the magnet, etc.

When a magnet is moved into a coil of wire, changing the magnetic field and magnetic

flux through the coil, a voltage will be generated in the coil according to Faraday's Law. For

example, when a magnet is moved into a coil, the galvanometer deflects to the left in response to

the increasing field. When the magnet is pulled back out, the galvanometer deflects to the right in

response to the decreasing field. The polarity of the induced emf is such that it produces a current

whose magnetic field opposes the change that produces it. The induced magnetic field inside any

loop of wire always acts to keep the magnetic flux in the loop constant. This inherent behavior of

generated magnetic fields is summarized in Lenz's Law.

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 Chapter V

Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations

Summary

This research aims to determine the efficiency generated by the water (H2O) wheel as a

source of energy. In order to produce electricity, the researchers decided to connect the water

(H2O) wheel to a 6 volt motor for its cheap cost.

Conclusion

Based on the results the researchers have gathered, they were able to produce a small

amount of electricity, but it is not powerful enough to power the 2.5 volt LED light bulb.

Implications

Since a water (H2O) wheel can be used to spin the shaft of the DC motor, it can produce

electricity as long as you have an efficient DC motor and the specifications of the electrical

components match and are compatible with each other.

Recommendations

For future researchers who want to pursue or further improve this project, the researchers

recommend finding a way to replenish the water back into the water (H2O) tank continuously or

without exerting manual effort. A recommended piece of equipment is a high-pressure DC water

pump. A more optimized base to avoid a splash of water into the electrical components would

be ideal.

33
 The researchers also suggest using a Dynamo DC generator in replacement of the DC

motor. Dynamo DC generators produce more power and more consistent power per spin.

Furthermore, seeking help from specialists, especially electricians, is a must because electrical

components are very complex. They also suggest testing the power output longer to get better

and more detailed data.

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 Bibliography

Bellis, M. (2019, November 24). The history of the Water Wheel. ThoughtCo.

https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-waterwheel-4077881

The Physics of a Water Wheel - Home. (n.d.).

http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/211_fall2010.web.dir/Brooks/index.html

Water Wheels (PA Technology) - energypedia. (n.d.).

https://energypedia.info/wiki/Water_Wheels_(PA_Technology)

Kapoor, M. (2022). Water Wheel: Meaning, Advantages and Disadvantages - Science.

My India.

https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/science-and-fiction/water-wheel-meaning

-advantages-and-disadvantages

Waterwheel - Energy Education. (n.d.).

https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Waterwheel

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Everything You Need To Know About DC Motors | RS. (n.d.).

https://ie.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/dc-motors-

guide#:~:text=In%20a%20DC%20motor%2C%20the,the%20centre%20of%20the

%20coil.

Testing the Waters: Bringing Micro-Hydropower Closer to Communities. (n.d).

Development Asia.

https://development.asia/explainer/testing-waters-bringing-micro-hydropower-clo

ser-communities

Savage, M., & Savage, M. (202, December 7). A waterwheel for remote, rural areas |

Article on HeliosAltas. Tech for Impact Asia - Actionable ideas, ready to go.

https://techforimpact.asia/a-next-generation-waterwheel-for-remote-rural-areas/

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 Acknowledgement

The researchers would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following people who

gave their time and effort to finishing this study.

Ms. Esperanza L. Nerona, the research adviser, who patiently followed up, gave

reminders, and intense input on the part of research, and inspired the researchers throughout the

study. She also helped by improving grammatical points for their research paper.

Sir Mark Pol M. Castro, who gave them thorough knowledge on writing citations,

RRL, and bibliography, and also helped edit their research paper by giving suggestions.

Sir Dominic Toribio, for follow up reminders, giving time and moral during

difficult times.

Parents, for the financial and moral support.

The researchers would like to express gratitude to God for guiding them throughout the

research.

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