Authors: Gabriel D. Gonzales, Nhyllarhy Myrrh Junsay, Gian Gaizel Pausta, Jannon V. Tagalog, Angel S. Salario, George I. Salvador
Abstract: This study focused on developing the MethaneMorphosis: The Smart Bioengineered Reactor as a more secure, automated, and affordable alternative to household biogas generation, addressing the challenges created by rapidly surging Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices and initial cost and safety issues of manual biodigesters. The system included an Arduino Uno R4 Wifi microcontroller, and optimized automated co-digestion of household food waste and pig manure using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and various sensors to monitor temperature, pressure, and methane concentration in real-time. The study found 100% of the reactor to be automated with the optimal mesophilic range of 36-39 degrees Celsius successfully maintained; the system achieved a remarkably high energy conversion ratio (ECR of 4968.03%), with recovered energy equivalent to nearly 5.94 kg of LPG utilized, all at a unit cost of methane at ₱12.26/m^3. Overall, the findings illustrate the importance of this system as a very efficient and robust option for cost-effective renewable energy generation and sustainable waste management options. The primary recommendation is for the local stakeholders to explore and adapt more innovative natural gas projects like MethaneMorphosis, which is a low-cost and automated reactor as an option for households that promote sustainable waste management and reduce household energy costs through generating renewable biogas.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18721478
