QUEZON CITY UNIVERSITY

SOLAR-POWERED DESICCATION SYSTEM FOR DRIED FISH WITH SALT

METER AND LOAD CELL FOR MOISTURE CONTENT

A Capstone Project Proposal

Presented to the Faculty of Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Subject

CAPSTONE PROJECT 1

BUGAOAN, CARY JEAN P.

DIWA, STEVEN CHARLES M.

GONZALES, MARJUN B.

LARIOSA, ALLESSA C.

SAMANTE, NHECOLE JAY B.

November 26, 2022

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APPROVAL SHEET

This research entitled, “Solar-Powered Desiccation System for Dried

Fish with Salt Meter and Load Cell for Moisture Content”, prepared and
submitted by Cary Jean P. Bugaoan, Steven Charles M. Diwa, Marjun B.
Gonzales, Allessa C. Lariosa and Nhecole Jay B. Samante, partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the subject of CAPSTONE PROJECT 1 has been
examined and recommended for Oral Examination.

MICHAEL ANGELO D. LIGAYO, D.T

Adviser

Evaluation Committee

ENGR. RYAN F. ARAGO, MSIT

Chairman

LEONARD A. CATCHILLAR, ECE, MS-MATH, LPT ENGR. DANNY RIEL BARACHINA

Member Member

CAPSTONE REVIEW PANEL

Approval by the Panel on Oral Examination on November 26, 2022 with

the grade of ___.

PANEL OF EXAMINERS

ENGR. RYAN F. ARAGO, MSIT

Chairman

PROF. JOSELITO A. TRINIDAD, MET ENGR. VINCENT RONQUILLO, PECE

Member Member

LEONARD A. CATCHILLAR, ECE, MS-MATH, LPT

Member

Accepted and approved in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the

degree of Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering.

November 26, 2022 ENGR. RYAN F. ARAGO, MSIT

Date Dean, College of Engineering

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CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY

The Proponents hereby declare that this capstone project is our own work

and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material

previously published or written by another person nor material that, to a

substantial extent, has been accepted for the award of any other degree or

diploma of a university or other institute of higher learning, except where due

acknowledgement is made in the text. The Proponents also declared that the

intellectual content of this capstone project is the product of our work, even

though the Proponents may have received assistance from others on style,

presentation, and language expression.

Members:

Bugaoan, Cary Jean P.

Diwa, Steven Charles M.

Gonzales, Marjun B.

Lariosa, Allessa C.

Samante, Nhecole Jay B.

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ABSTRACT

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The proponents conducted a capstone project entitled "Solar-Powered

Desiccation System for Dried Fish with Salt Meter and Load Cell for

Moisture Content" is giving a heartfelt thanks to the following people, for without

their support, this capstone project would not have been possible: Dr. Michael

Angelo D. Ligayo, our capstone adviser, for his undying patience, understanding,

motivations, and advice that led to the success of this capstone project.

Furthermore, the proponents are grateful to him for sharing his extensive

knowledge and mastery in the creation of this capstone project. To our Dean in

undergraduate studies under the College of Electronics Engineering (CEE) and

Chairman of the Committee on Oral Examination ENGR. RYAN F. ARAGO,

Members of the Committee on Oral Examination: PROF. JOSELITO A.

TRINIDAD, ENGR. VINCENT RONQUILLO, and ENGR. LEONARD A.

CATCHILLAR, who unselfishly shared their knowledge and gave their assistance

to make this capstone project successful.

Special thanks also go to Engr. Leonard Edosma and Engr. Oscar

Carandang, ECE Department, for directing and sharing the literature, as well as

for providing invaluable assistance and advice. They made a significant

contribution to the backbone of this capstone project.

The Proponents are also grateful to all of our professors in our bachelor's

degree program for all of the constructions, analyses, new ideas and concepts,

and support they gave us while the Proponents were in school.

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The proponents would also like to thank their classmates for their

assistance and camaraderie during the capstone's execution. To our dearest

respondents for spending time and effort answering the interviews. The

proponents are forever grateful for their contribution to finally accomplishing this

research. To the proponents' families for their unwavering support,

understanding, and financial help during the sleepless nights they spent doing

research.

Above everyone, the Proponents thank our Almighty God for blessing us

with guidance, strength, and perseverance for every day that the Proponents

worked on this capstone project. The proponents agree that this capstone project

can't be done well without Him.

The Proponents, are truly and wholeheartedly grateful to all these persons

mentioned above for never letting us down in our weakest and darkest days.

Thank you very much, and may God be with you.

- The Proponents

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page .............................................................................................................. i

Approval Sheet ...................................................................................................... ii

Certificate of Originality ........................................................................................ iii

Abstract ................................................................................................................ iv

Acknowledgement ................................................................................................ v

Table of Contents ................................................................................................ vii

List of Table .......................................................................................................... x

List of Figures ....................................................................................................... xi

List of Appendices .............................................................................................. xiii

Chapter

I PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND ...................................................... 1

Introduction ..................................................................................... 1

Background of the Study ................................................................. 2

Objectives of the Study ................................................................... 8

Scope and Limitations ................................................................... 10

Significance of the Study ............................................................... 12

Definitions of Terms ...................................................................... 14

II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND SYSTEMS ........................ 17

Foreign Literature and Systems .................................................... 17

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Foreign Studies ............................................................................. 28

Local Literature and Systems ........................................................ 32

Local Studies................................................................................. 36

Synthesis ...................................................................................... 38

Conceptual Framework ................................................................. 40

III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................... 44

Research Design........................................................................... 44

Collecting Data .............................................................................. 45

Quick Design ................................................................................. 45

Constructing the Prototype ............................................................ 46

Evaluation of the Prototype ........................................................... 47

Evaluating the Design and Redefining .......................................... 47

Prototype Implementation ............................................................. 48

Maintaining the Prototype ............................................................. 48

Testing Procedures/Method .......................................................... 49

Implementation Plan ..................................................................... 52

Sampling Techniques.................................................................... 55

Description of the Respondents .................................................... 55

Research Instrumentation ............................................................. 56

Data Gathering Procedures .......................................................... 58

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Validation of the Questionnaire ..................................................... 58

Software Requirements ................................................................. 60

Hardware Requirements ............................................................... 63

Schematic Diagrams ..................................................................... 74

Picture Diagrams........................................................................... 75

Block Diagrams ............................................................................. 76

Flowchart ...................................................................................... 79

External and Internal Design ......................................................... 82

References .............................................................................................. 87

Appendices ........................................................................................... 99

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LIST OF TABLES

Table No. Table Title Page

1.1 Existing Fish Dryer and its Function ................................................ 6

2.1 The Characteristics of Fresh and Spoiled Fish ............................. 33

3.1 Characteristics of Dried Fish ......................................................... 50

3.2 Degree of Percentage Rate .......................................................... 51

3.3 Implementation Plan ..................................................................... 54

3.4 Comparison of Programming Language ....................................... 60

3.5 Comparison of Arduino Compiler .................................................. 62

3.6 Programming Compiler Software Requirements ........................... 62

3.7 Comparison of Arduino UNO Board .............................................. 64

3.8 Comparison of Thermostat ............................................................ 65

3.9 Comparison of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) ................................. 66

3.10 Comparison of Aluminum Racks between Galvanized Racks ....... 66

3.11 Comparison of External Design (Frame and Sheet)...................... 67

3.12 Comparison of Load Cell ............................................................... 68

3.13 Comparison of Salinometers ......................................................... 69

3.14 Hardware Development Requirements ......................................... 70

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No. Figure Title Page

1.1 A Day in the Life .............................................................................. 4

1.2 The “Lawlaw”................................................................................... 4

2.1 Flowchart for Bangladesh’s Coastal Region 3 Categories ............ 20

2.2 Conceptual Framework ................................................................. 41

3.1 Prototyping Model of the Proposed Capstone ............................... 44

3.2 Flowchart of Information for Accuracy Testing .............................. 52

3.3 Schematic Diagram for Load Cell.................................................. 74

3.4 Schematic Diagram for Entire Desiccation System ....................... 74

3.5 Picture Diagram for Load Cell ...................................................... 75

3.6 Picture Diagram for Desiccation System ...................................... 75

3.7 Block Diagram for the Solar Panel ............................................... 76

3.8 Block Diagram for Load Cell ......................................................... 76

3.9 Block Diagram for the Entire Desiccation System ......................... 77

3.10 Block Diagram for the Desiccation System ................................... 77

3.11 Flow Chart for Solar Panel ............................................................ 79

3.12 Flowchart for Entire Desiccation System ....................................... 80

3.13 Flowchart for Load Cell ................................................................. 81

3.14 Desiccation System 3D Design .................................................... 82

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3.15 Desiccation System ...................................................................... 83

3.16 Internal View of the Desiccation System ....................................... 83

3.17 Right Side View of the Desiccation System .................................. 84

3.18 Left Side View of the Desiccation System .................................... 84

3.19 Back View of the Desiccation System .......................................... 85

3.20 Front View of the Desiccation System .......................................... 85

3.21 Top View of the Desiccation System ............................................ 86

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LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix Appendix Title Page

A Sample Interview Questionnaire .................................................. 99

B Answers of one of the Respondents .......................................... 103

C Arduino UNO R3 Key Parts and Images ..................................... 107

D Load Cell Strain Gauge Images and Dimensions ………………. 109

E Selected Hardware and Software Components .......................... 110

F Costing of the Proposed Project.................................................. 111

G Computation for the Entire Desiccation System .......................... 112

H Report Summary for the Turnitin Plagiarism .............................. 113

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SOLAR-POWERED DESICCATION SYSTEM FOR DRIED FISH WITH SALT

METER AND LOAD CELL FOR MOISTURE CONTENT

A Capstone Project Proposal

Presented to the Faculty of Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering

Submitted by:

Bugaoan, Cary Jean

Diwa, Steven Charles

Gonzales, Marjun

Lariosa, Allessa

Samante, Nhecole Jay

Submitted to:

Dr. Michael Angelo Ligayo

November 26, 2022

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CHAPTER I

Problem and Its Background

Introduction

Solar technology is vital to modern society. It is a popular renewable energy

source that is also sustainable. In the past five years, solar power's renewable

capacity has reached 25%, according to Power Technology (2020). With

appropriate maintenance, it will survive for years.

Mahesh Kumar (2020) believes renewable energy will be important

eventually. Renewable energy helps meet global energy needs. Solar panels are

composed of semiconducting materials that conduct electricity and are topped with

grid wires that allow energy flow and power to our homes, according to the Office

of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (ND).

Sensors can use any physical quantity or other objects. Various substances

are measured using salt meters, to determine the amount of salt that is present,

and a load cell, to determine the weight of a specific object. Various levels of salt

or sodium affect meals and the body differently. According to Jayatissa,

Haturusinghe, Knowles, et al. (2021), the World Health Organization recommends

a 30% reduction in salt intake for people consuming less than 5g per day. In the

statement of Flintec (2022), load cell, in particular, is commonly used for weighing

food and other market demands in commercial and industrial activities.

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Moore (2020) states flavor, look, texture, form, and weight can impact a

food's moisture content. By reducing a food's moisture, it's less likely to spoil and

will last longer. As per Bradley (2021), the Philippines produces the most fish,

benefiting the environment and community. This is the main revenue source. The

fishing industry has frequently encountered problems. Suh and Pomeroy say

climate change could damage Philippine fisheries and the economy (2020).

Bangladesh exports fish to create dried fishery goods, according to Hoque,

Rayhan, Uddin, and Sarker (2018). It's also cost-effective.

Kenjeran Surabaya still dries fish traditionally, citing Hantoro, Hepriyadi,

Amir, and Izdhiharrudin (2018). In direct sunlight, they're independent from 6 a.m.

until 5 p.m. Food safety and health concerns discourage it. This permits many

germs and bacteria to enter. Mustaqimah et al. (2019) advise salting fish to

modernize fish drying because it takes less time and costs less. Traditional fish

drying methods use solar heat to reduce drying time. Its cabinet door keeps

microbes out, making it hygienic. The developer constructs a system that

emphasizes innovation and builds sustainable energy. The users and the

environment can both benefit from each other.

Background of the Study

Implementing such a system makes it clear that technological advances

may grow over time. Some people still dry fish the way they used to, which is

manual. Fish can be dried in an easy way that works well. Government agencies

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keep an eye on the safety and saltiness of fish. The Bureau of Fisheries and

Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) of the Philippine Department of Agriculture is in

charge of developing and protecting fisheries and aquatic resources. The

Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) helps the government improve

the way fisheries are developed in the future. These organizations support fishery

aspirations.

The proponents who came up with the proposed system thought about who

would use it. Mr. Romeo Alisaga owns a store that sells dried fish at 169, Honorio

Lopez Blvd., Kalaki St., and Brgy. 126 Balut Tondo in Manila, which can be brought

in from all over the country. Mr. Alisaga owns a government-owned Bilaran in San

Rafael Long Beach, Noveleta, Cavite, which is close to the ocean. According to

the interview, the business has been growing for more than 35 years, but drying

fish can cause problems, especially when the weather changes. The months of

March and July are ideal for drying a large amount of fish. If it rains after those

months, the vendors will only get a small amount of dried fish.

Mr. Alisaga has also thought that solar energy could be used in a system

for drying fish, and it is likely that the vendor has wanted to make a system for

drying fish for a long time, even before the interview was done. But because they

don't have enough money or other resources, this is just a goal right now. There

were interviews in which the supporters asked questions about the problems that

come with drying fish in this particular location.

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Figure 1.1: A Day in the life of a dried fish producer in San Rafael, Long Beach,
Noveleta, Cavite, as captured by Domingo, J. (2018, August 22)

Figure 1.2: The "Lawlaw" fish-drying equipment at San Rafael, Long Beach,
Noveleta, and Cavite photographed by Limua R.(2021, November 21).

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Figure 1.1 depicts the location of the area where the system will be installed.

It is located in the province of San Rafael, Long Beach, Noveleta, Cavite. As per

the image, the location is near the ocean, and the dried fish producers exploit

captive fish from that ocean. Fish drying is one of the most profitable businesses

in the area, providing a significant portion of their income. Figure 1.2, on the other

hand, displays the equipment used to dry the fish. They created a bamboo platform

on which to place the already brined and soaked raw fish, then placed it under the

sun and allowed the sun to do its thing. The bamboo apparatus was commonly

referred to in the region as "Lawlaw."

If it rains, all that people can do is put plastic over it. Also, they can sell

different types of fish through the business. Most of the time, it takes them almost

two days, or at most one and a half days, to dry out their fish. This happens when

the sun shines directly on the fish for a long time. The weather can also affect the

quality of dried fish and whether or not the fish used is fresh. It can make the fish

taste different. After the fish was dried, ice and salt were also used to make it

tasteless salty. Mr. Alisaga thought it would be better to find a way to dry fish using

solar power, since they sometimes have to stop drying fish when the weather

changes. They tried to solve the problem in other ways, but the dried fish wasn't

completely dry, which can take up to three days.

The proponents of the "Solar-Powered Desiccation System for Dried Fish

with Salt Meter and Load Cell for Moisture Content" made a plan for a system that

would make improvements that would raise the system in the right direction to fix

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the problems. The proposed system will help the dried fish vendors of San Rafael,

Long Beach, Noveleta Cavite, where the Bilaran was located, make more high-

quality dried fish. This system will help Mr. Alisaga's traditional way of drying fish,

which will make his Bilaran produce better-dried fish.

Table 1.1:
Existing Fish Dryer and its function.

Existing Fish Dryer Function

HANGING DRYER

The fish dryer is hung on the wall

and comes with a net.

WOODEN FISH DRYER

The fish were taken outside and kept

hanging on the wooden dryer.

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BAMBOO FISH DRYER

Fish were put on racks made of bamboo

and put out in the sun.

FISHNET DRYER

The dryer is made of fishnet and

has racks.

GALVANIZED SHEET RACK

Metal screen or galvanized sheet-made.

In the data shown in Table 1.1, there are currently distinct types of food

dryers available for purchase that can be made from different materials. The

majority of currently available fish dryers continue to use the traditional drying

method, which consists of hanging the fish and allowing the sun to dry them. A net

is placed outside the racks to protect them from insects and bacteria, while others

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don't. Because of how drying works, it's clear that the mentioned dryers can't

handle any more specifications.

The proponents of this capstone project are aware that the proposed fish

dryer could have more features and specifications that would make drying fish

faster and easier for the people who will benefit from this project. Users of the

system will also adapt to the benefits of solar energy, measure amounts of salt in

fish from seawater and freshwater, and determine the fish's moisture content. The

goal of the "Solar-Powered Desiccation System for Dried Fishes with Salt Meter

and Load Cell for Moisture Content" project is to provide a valuable service by

making safe, high-quality dried fish.

Objectives of the Study

The objective of this capstone project is to design a Solar-Powered

Desiccation System for Dried Fish.

Specifically, it will delve to attain the following specific objectives:

1. To design a Solar-Powered desiccating system that is used for drying

fish processes.

2. To utilize a salinometer to determine the salt levels of brine solution

in terms of:

A. Types of Fish

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• Fresh Water

• Salt Water

B. Time

• Fresh Water

• Salt Water

3. To measure the moisture content using a load cell sensor to

evaluate the process of drying fish.

4. To evaluate the system's performance in terms of:

A. Functionality Testing//Test Cases

• Solar Panel to Battery Storage Module

• Integrated Algorithm (including sensor modules)

• Temperature Calibration

• Structure Module

B. Efficiency Test

• Ingredients in Salt Solution

• Components that were used in the process of

developing the system.

C. Accuracy Test

• Reading of Load cell in terms of measured dried fish

weight.

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• b. Calibration of temperature in STC-1000

thermostat to measured temperature

D. Quality of Dried Fish

• Texture

• Appearance

• Saltiness

• Smell

Scope and Limitations

The capstone project focuses on developing a Solar-Powered Desiccation

System for Dried Fish with a Salt Meter and Load Cell Sensor for Moisture Content.

The purpose of the capstone is to provide insight and help fish dryers and

individuals manage their products to ensure quality production and the health and

safety of the dried fish, which can also be monitored and help them harvest dried

fish in a short period of time.

The proponents will employ solar panels as a power source, it can shorten

the time it takes to dry fish and consume less electricity overall. The collected

energy will be stored in the battery for storage and can be used to function the

desiccation system. The proponents will measure the salinity level of the dried fish

using a salinometer. In addition, a load cell sensor will be used to evaluate the

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fish's moisture content and the system's capacity to properly dry out fish from both

freshwater and saltwater.

However, the capstone will only range among saltwater and freshwater,

specifically Dilis (Anchovies), Sapsap (Slipmouth Fish), Bangus (Milkfish), and

Tilapia (St. Peter Fish) respectively. The desiccation system consists of a

salinometer specifically a salinity meter for testing the salt content of the brined

fish before it is placed in the desiccation system and after it dried, a load cell sensor

which will be used to determine the moisture content, a PTC Ceramic heating

element with aluminum tube for producing heat to the desiccation system, a

thermostat connected to the system where the heat can be controlled, and an

exhaust fan for airflow. In accordance with the Philippine National Standard for

EcoFood of Dried Fish (2006), the brine solution must be regularly measured with

a salinometer or hydrometer. This is done to maintain the solution's correct and

required salt concentration. Since there is no sensor available for measuring salt

content, it is impossible to design a circuit for this purpose. For this reason, the

system's proponents will solely utilize the salinometer for the salt meter.

It will be implemented specifically in San Rafael, Long Beach, Noveleta,

Cavite where the bilaran is located. It can also be implemented in areas where fish

dealers and dried fish manufacturers are located (primarily where fresh fish will be

harvested), and the fish can be purchased in markets where they are available.

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Significance of the Study

The significance of this capstone will benefit from increasing the knowledge

and awareness of the Solar-Powered Desiccation System for Dried Fish Using a

Salt Meter and Load Cell for Moisture Content. This system will be of immense

help to its users since it will provide them with dried fish of sanitary quality and

reduce the time required to produce dried fish compared to the conventional

method. In addition, this device will take care of the environment by utilizing solar

energy and natural resources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce

climate change. The study will give the following significance, particularly to the

following aspects:

For Mr. Romeo Alisaga. Mr. Alisaga will be the first person to benefit from

the system because he is the top priority of the proponents. Mr. Alisaga assisted

the proponent's system in determining what problems dried fish producers in their

area were experiencing so that the system could be developed. This helps the

system improve.

For the Dried Fish Producer of San Rafael Long Beach, Noveleta,

Cavite. This will be beneficial since it will provide them with a system that will assist

them in resolving the issues that they have when using the sun drying method. As

long as there is charge coming from the solar panel into the batteries, the dried

fish producers are able to use the system as a backup in the event that it is cloudy

or that there is no sun.

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For the Small-Scale Drying Fish Industry, this particular system will help

the drying fishing community to trade or sell dried fish easily since the traditional

drying process is time-consuming. This is also useful to businesses and to their

consumers as well. This capstone would teach them that preserving fish in this

way contributes to the growth of their community, leading to an overall better

quality of life for all those involved who live there.

Manufacturers for the Dried Fish Community, will use the developed

system to improve their production of dried fish products and improve their sales.

From raw fish, manufacturers can make dried fish that is ready to sell to customers,

wholesalers, distributors, and retailers.

For Fishermen, the system will allow them to reuse their over-caught fish

when they are unable to sell them. The development of the system will also assist

this community in preserving the quality of the dried fish and preventing the

different kinds of microorganisms that will affect the quality of the dried fish. Since

dried fish vendors buy their products from fishermen, this capstone project will be

of great use to them. They increase the number of dried fish they make, resulting

in a large family income that can be used for daily needs and to raise their standard

of living.

Dried Fish Consumers, this system will help them get or buy good-quality

dried fish in the market. Customers who have already bought dried fish without

knowing its pros and cons would gain a lot from the information in this study. The

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development of this system will allow consumers to be satisfied with the quality

and service offered by the device.

For the Dried Fish Market, this capstone project will help the sellers or

markets sell good-quality dried fish to consumers in wet markets and

supermarkets. Most consumers prefer to buy fish at a wet market like Talipapa,

Seaside Seafood and Wet Market, Susano Market, or Commonwealth Market

since it is accessible and offers affordable foods. Other consumers prefer to buy

at supermarkets like Robinson, Shopwise, and SM since they want to assure the

cleanliness of the food. Since there are different types of consumers, this will be

beneficial to both supermarket and wet market sellers.

For Future Researchers, this capstone project can be beneficial for the

next generation of learners who plan to do related studies since this will serve as

their source or reference for future studies. Results from this study will help inform

future studies in this area. Perhaps new learning theories will emerge from this

capstone project and build upon what has already been established.

Definition of Terms

The operational definitions of the words used are provided below to aid in

providing a deeper understanding, particularly for unfamiliar terminology such as;

Arduino UNO R3. Used as the microcontroller which the code will be process.

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Climate change. Changes that occur as a result of natural causes in the weather

and the temperature.

Conventional method. Methods that have been used for a long time and are still

employed today.

Desiccation. The process of extreme drying

Drying Chamber. Fish will be placed in this area so that the moisture may be

removed from them.

Greenhouse gas emissions. The reason for this occurrence is climate change.

Microbes. Refers to all microscopic organisms that are prevalent in fishes and can

cause disease.

Microcontroller. Integrated circuits are utilized in the system for software

processing and transfer to the embedded system which is used to store the

program for the desiccation system.

Load Cell. This component precisely measures fish weight

Renewable energy. Renewable energy is energy that is derived from natural

resources and may be reused.

Salinity. The quantity of salt that was retained in the fish after it had been dried.

Salt Meter. It was used to check the salt level of fish before and after drying.

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Sanitary Quality. Describes a state of cleanliness that is achieved as a result of

the process.

Semi-Conducting Materials. It can conduct electricity and power the desiccation

system by absorbing light energy.

Solar Panel. A component that is employed in order to absorb the energy that is

provided by the sun.

Thermostat. Implemented for the purpose of regulating the temperature contained

within the drying chamber.

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CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter reviews foreign and local literature and studies relevant to the

proponent's subject to help understand the capstone project. A literature review

provides a foundation and describes relevant software, hardware, systems, and

technologies. Proponents can cite thesis, papers, books, and online resources. It

also includes a presentation of the capstone project's Conceptual Framework,

which explains how the "Solar-Powered Desiccation System for Dried Fish with

Salt Meter and a Load Cell for Moisture Content" works and its advantages.

Foreign Literature and System

Solar Energy. Solar energy is regarded as a renewable source of energy.

Incorporating a component commonly known as a solar panel or photovoltaic cell

to collect energy may power a variety of devices and appliances. This can be

accomplished directly or indirectly by using the sun as a source of energy to

generate electricity. As mentioned by Hayat, Ali, Monyake, et al. (2018) solar

energy can be advantageous now and in the long term or improve future

endeavors. In addition to the statement of Agbetuyi, Orovwode, Olowoleni, et al.

(2018), solar energy relies significantly upon the sun and has many aspects to

consider, such as assessing the voltage it gains, the current it produces, the light

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intensity, and the temperature, in order to determine if it is functioning properly

once it is mounted in the solar panel.

Health Concerns. Al Banna, Hoque, Tamanna, et al. (2022) pointed out

that the evaluation of hygienic purposes in terms of drying fish is quite relevant due

to the fact that it is consumed by people who eat it. It is common knowledge that

dried fish are simply exposed to the environment, and it is possible for the fish to

take on many different kinds of microorganisms, even very small ones, while the

drying process is still in progress. This can lead to an increase in the total number

of microorganisms present in the fish. Some manufacturers frequently use various

chemicals to combat potentially hazardous bacteria that could harm consumers.

Low hygiene in drying fish can be caused by a number of factors, the most common

of which is poor sanitation. This is particularly true of the traditional method, in

which the fish is simply let to dry out without being properly covered for a number

of days. And for these reasons, a system can be created in order to control the

possibly dangerous production of dried fish and to guarantee that consumers will

have access to dried fish that is both safe and of high quality.

Fish Moisture. As mentioned by Adeyeye (2019), The amount of time that

fish is exposed to the sun and the intensity of the sun's rays can both have an

effect on the amount of moisture that the fish contains. The drying period has an

effect on both the texture and the color of the dried fish. Different drying methods

can also have an effect on it because the drying rate of procedures is not the same

for each method.

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Drying Process. Since the beginning of time, marine fish have been dried

and processed. In the previous study by Paul, Reza, Islam, et al. (2018), the

researchers gathered data on the production, marketing, and quality decline of

conventionally dried marine fish products in Bangladesh's coastal region. Sun-

dried fish that was mostly used for domestic consumption was found to be

produced using a total of 48 kinds of fish and shrimp. In the coastal region, three

sorts of processing techniques were seen to be used: sun-drying huge fish, sun-

drying elongated fish, and sun-drying smaller fish and shrimp (Figure 2.1).

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Figure 2.1: Flowchart for Bangladesh's coastal region's three categories of

traditional marine fish drying processes. (A) drying huge fish in the sun; (B)
drying elongated fish in the sun; (C) drying smaller fish and shrimp in the sun.

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Traditional Drying of Fish. Conforming to Irawan, Pratomo, Khalid, et al.,

(2022), several fishing cooperatives have been established in Sungai Rasau in the

Indonesian province of South Kalimantan to more efficiently market the local

fishermen's fish and shrimp. Drying fish is still done the old-fashioned way, in the

sun. Weather forecasting has become more challenging as a result of global

warming. In accordance with the study by Solanki (2020) in the International

Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, the most common way to dry fish is to

put it out in the sun, which is also called "sun drying." Most fishermen think this is

the easiest way to dry fish, especially when the sun is out. Fish can also be dried

by hanging it from a rope and putting it in a bamboo holder. The fish can also be

dried without cleaning the inside or removing the flesh. Some fish were dried out

with their bodies cut open so that those who didn't want to eat the flesh could also

eat, and this could dry the fish faster. By naturally drying fish, you can make it last

longer and preserve it to make it last longer.

Another factor affects the Dried Fish. During the monsoon season, the

weather becomes humid, prolonging the drying process. Additionally, dried fish

retain moisture from the air, creating an ideal setting for mite and insect infestation.

The majority of fishermen involved in the fish drying process do not dry fish

properly for weight loss because they wish to sell dried fish in wet circumstances

for a higher profit; consequently, the quality of the final product is lowered and the

rate of insect infestation is increased. Insecticide use poses a grave threat to public

health. In addition, Aktar, Sayeed, et al. (2018) and Rana, Chakraborty, et al.

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(2020) found that improper handling and storage increased lipid rancidity, which

leads to bad aromas, disagreeable scents, and harmful hydroperoxide

compounds, and ultimately promotes the spread of microbes in dried fish. Due to

all of these factors, dried fish is harmful to human health and should not be

consumed.

Existing Drying System. Despite current technological advancements,

some innovators appear to have forgotten the classics. However, it is not a method

to disregard the original invention made; rather, it is a way to advance current

technology. The novel drying system machine may offer an alternative method of

food production drying, particularly for fish, which may maintain and produce high-

quality dried fish as far as a health issue is concerned. Despite the fact that this

market segment is growing, research from other Asian countries suggests that, as

economies and food supply systems develop, consumers will place a higher

priority on food safety. (Karim et al., 2018)

A food dryer is a device that may be used as a dryer and has a small space

and hot ventilation. Foodstuffs should be dried for two main reasons: to increase

shelf life and be preserved, and their water content should be decreased to stop

the growth of germs. The goal of the study based on the device developed is to

serve as a resource for people who can generate food products that are higher

quality and more enduring. (Kasim, Sulaiman et al., 2021)

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70% of poll respondents hadn't tried this item. 30% of never-users have it.

Kasim, Sulaiman, et al. (2021) said this product is rarely sold the same way as

ovens, microwaves, and other equipment. Food dryers aren't advertised or bought.

When data is collected, respondents' confidence in the final design, which is

trustworthy and secure, is clear. This food dehydrator's square shape adds to the

construction's security and stability. The door that prevents it from coming into

contact with hot food makes this machine secure. This machine has a thick

stainless-steel coating all over that keeps it cool even after extended use. As a

result, using a food drying machine can be easy, economical with energy, and

quick for everyone.

Drying Chamber. On the basis of Dina Shabri (2021), The uniformity of

temperature in multi-shelf dryers using fuel as the drying energy has been

investigated. In this experiment, we randomly assign drying intensities across ten

levels. A heat divider system with a sharp channel maintains the temperature in a

drying chamber. The hot gas is transferred utilizing natural convection. The various

components of this drying apparatus are the combustion chamber, the heat level,

the hot gas divider channel, the drying chamber, and the chimney. Any solid fuel,

such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or fuel oil (fuel oil), can be used. In this

evaluation, the drying chamber temperature can range from 60 to 90 degrees

Celsius. Exiting the system at a temperature of 50 to 75 degrees Celsius, the hot

gas is typically between 120 and 190 degrees Celsius after passing through a hot

gas channel between 400 and 500 degrees Celsius. A 1-degree Celsius

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temperature difference was measured between the drying chamber's lowest and

highest shelves, and a 0.2 to 0.5-degree Celsius temperature difference was

measured across the width of the apparatus. The temperature in the drying

chamber is kept uniform throughout the process. Drying tests show that 50-80

kilograms of fish can be dried in 10-12 hours, with a final moisture content of 12-

15%. The amount of LPG needed to dry 50 kilograms of fish is 4 kilograms.

Operating Temperature (Based on different fishes). There are two ways

to dry fish: at a low temperature or at a high temperature. For each, there is a

certain temperature that needs to be used. In low-temperature drying, the

temperature must be between 30 and 38 degrees Celsius, or 85- and 100-degrees

Fahrenheit. This will only take away the water from the fish's skin. The best things

to dry out in this way are fillets or small fish. On the other hand, high-temperature

drying needs a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius, but

the temperature may rise slowly until it reaches 158 degrees Fahrenheit or 70

degrees Celsius. The goal of this method of drying is to make the fish skin tougher.

Meats and Sausages (2020) stated everything above.

Battery. As per a publication by the US Department of Energy (n.d.),

batteries and other comparable devices accept, store, and release electricity as

needed. Like many other common energy sources, it stores energy through

chemistry in the form of chemical potential. Leavitt (2021) asserts that solar

batteries are not always a part of every solar power system. Even though the

percentage is rapidly increasing, just 4% of residential solar installations featured

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a battery backup in 2020. The extra energy generated by your solar panels is

saved in the battery when your home doesn't require it all. The battery discharges

reserve power to make up the gap when the solar panels aren't producing enough

energy to meet the building's energy needs.

Thermostat. Iskandar, Alrasyid et al., (2019), stated that time and energy

are so precious in the age of globalization that they should be used as effectively

and efficiently as possible. As a result of rapid technological advancements, the

demand for electronic devices has expanded, and individuals are seeking better

equipment and techniques to attain their objectives. The uneven temperature

distribution is one of the most prominent causes. In the electrical system, a

thermostat is utilized to regulate the maximum temperature or hatch speed. The

temperature was controlled by a thermostat, which ensured that the maximum

temperature was never exceeded. Due to incorrect readings from the DHT22

sensor, thermostats were employed to monitor and control the temperature.

Because the measurements are imprecise, the DHT22 sensor cannot be utilized.

Therefore, thermostats serve an essential function as temperature regulators.

Liquid Crystal Display. As claimed by Miller (2020), the use of Liquid

Crystal Displays in electronics and other fields is becoming more prevalent. LCDs

have low power consumption and a very versatile range of applications. This

component has a potential lifespan of up to 60,000 hours, making it a piece of

durable hardware with this kind of functional duration. LCD displays have

backlighting, which may be changed with a potentiometer to control the amount of

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light that is produced by the display. The LCD bulbs are positioned just beneath

the LCD. LCD displays are available in a wide variety of forms and dimensions.

Load Cell. According to Flintec (2022), a load cell is capable of determining

the weight of a specific object. It is frequently utilized in commercial and industrial

activities, particularly for weighing food and other market demands. This

component's design is simple, but it is applicable to a variety of applications. This

component's performance is dependent on the strain and applied force, as well as

the electrical flow. The data is reliable and accurate.

HX711. This module can be utilized with electronic scales that have a high

level of precision and a build quality. There are two analog input channels

available. This component's designed circuit can function as a mode for weighing

and pressure sensors. According to the SUNROM Electronics/Technologies

specifications, it is also inexpensive and simple to configure.

Aluminum Racks. Aluminum is widely recognized as one of the most

reliable materials now available on the market. Aluminum, due to its strong

resistance to corrosion and its ease of casting, has been suggested by the Royal

Society of Chemistry (2022) as a potential material for the production of kitchen

utensils. Aluminum can resist high temperatures due to its strong thermal

conductivity, which enables it to be utilized in the drying chamber in the form of

racks.

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Stainless Steel. As specified by Masayuki ABE (2021), they have been

working on eco-friendly and resource-conserving goods for the past decade.

Because of this, efforts are being made to find a suitable alternative to stainless

steel for general-purpose applications, increase the market for already popular

items, and fulfill potential new buyers' needs. Microstructure control technology

that generates more features and solution technology for customers is necessary

to develop stainless steel that can meet society's needs. We've taken steps to

increase demand for stainless steel and invested in research and development of

manufacturing and solution technologies to back the creation of novel end-use

goods.

Arduino Uno. There are many different kinds of electronic projects that

could benefit from using Arduino. This can even be put to use in hardware projects

in addition to software ones. It is possible to install a wide variety of sensors and

other electronic components in this area, and the needed functionality of the

hardware can be achieved by writing the appropriate algorithms. In the research

of Kumaravelu, Vnambathina, et al, (2021), Arduino can serve as a beginner's

guide for individuals who are interested in practicing programming and prototyping

(2021).

Using an Arduino has a lot of benefits, one of which is that it can get power

from a computer by connecting it via a USB port. The 5 volts needed for steady

power can be supplied through the board pins. Applications can be found for

devices such as Bluetooth, motor control, and a variety of other electronic

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components as well as physical components such as motor control, amongst many

more. Because of the features it can provide, the Arduino UNO is not only

recommended but also affordable. This board uses a microcontroller with the

model number ATmega328; since it is replaceable in the case that it stops

functioning properly, it is considered to have a high degree of flexibility, as pointed

out by Gupta (2018).

Arduino IDE. Yadi (2019) says that Arduino users use the software Arduino

IDE, which is where the codes or programming will need to be posted for the

ATmega328 to work. Arduino IDE can be put on all platforms, so everyone can

use it. Also, Staff (2020) stated that C++ is one of the best programming languages

that can be used in the Arduino IDE. It also comes with a set of instructions

because, without a compiler, the processor might not be able to understand the

program.

Foreign Studies

Solar Energy. Udomkun, Romuli, Schock, et al. (2020) stated that the

tropical climate is the most common in some parts of Asia and Africa. The most

efficient, renewable, and cost-effective way to meet the needs of the agricultural

industry is the solar drying system. High temperatures and climate change can

affect the worldwide agricultural production industry. Additionally, global population

growth increases, which affects the increasing food production that supplies

people's hunger.

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Health Concern. According to Obayopo, S.O., and Alonge, O.I. (2018),

every fish accessible for purchase at the market, in ponds, and even in the ocean

has unique drying qualities and capacities. It depends on the fish's moisture level

and the time of the season when it is dried. The drying rate of fish is a statistic that

can be used to measure their drying efficiency. In addition, salting fish can prevent

it from deteriorating. Additionally, it may be fully cleansed because it is resistant

to bacteria. Simply said, this procedure is more hygienic than the traditional one.

Moreover, salting prevents contamination.

Based on the article entitled "Fabrication and testing of the hybrid solar-

biomass dryer for drying fish," the preservation of fish is widespread today. In order

to increase their shelf life and prevent it from rotting. There are numerous

techniques and technologies that might be considered for its implementation.

Recognizing that solar energy is a renewable resource, one solution is to utilize

energy from the sun. Fish can also be dried using an air-heating burner that runs

on wood fuel. Low-level heat is transferred to high-level heat or temperature using

cold water droplets in a process known as condensed heat recovery. To allow the

fish to dry, its moisture must be eliminated. In addition to heat, evaporation is

necessary for this process to completely dry the fish. Numerous studies

demonstrate that it is possible to use solar energy even if the climate varies over

time. (Hamdani, 2018).

Drying Process. Indonesians and individuals from other nations eat fish for

its health benefits. Numerous fisheries investigations have focused on fish dryers.

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Dewi (2021) found multiple ways to dry fish. Sun drying is the most prevalent

historical method of drying fish used by the locals. Due to its tropical location,

Indonesia only experiences two seasons: wet and dry. Fish drying temperatures

range from 45 to 80 degrees Celsius. There are issues that are alarming, there are

safety concerns, and maintaining the product's quality has also been impacted

since the pandemic began. Creating a fish-drying apparatus that uses sustainable

thermal and solar energy is essential. Fish is dried from 37.30 to 94.8 degrees

Celsius using solar and thermal energy. Improve safety and quality. Drying has

evolved. It started with a means to dry fish using crude oil gas and lots of humidity

and temperature sensors. At the moment, it takes a very long time to dry fish by

hand. Sunlight can dry fish in 4–7 days, leaving 10% water (Alvinika et al.).

Salting Fish. According to the study of Jalil (2022), it only takes a small

amount of time for fish to become rotten; therefore, in order to prevent this from

happening, you can employ techniques such as salting or brining the fish. In these

processes, the fish are placed in a container, and salt and water are added to the

container at the same time. This technique is utilized by fishermen all around the

world and has been used for a considerable amount of time by fishermen and even

by regular people. It is done by a method that involves soaking the fish in salt water

and then drying it out in the sun until the salt is completely dissolved into the fish.

Factors to be considered in salting dried fish. In addition to their study's

findings, there is a range of salted dried fish quality criteria that may be taken into

account. The salt soaking period refers to the length of time the fish is submerged

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in salt water. This time period affects the quantity of salt found in certain saltwater

and freshwater fish. To achieve an efficient drying rate, it is vital to consider the

length of time required to dry the fish in accordance to its size, so that the fish is

only dried and not cooked. To obtain an accurate picture of the consistency of dried

fish produced throughout time, it is required to account for the consistency of dried

fish. The shelf life of dried fish can be increased by decreasing its moisture content.

This is because the presence of water might promote the growth of

microorganisms, causing the fish to eventually deteriorate.

Existing equipment used in drying fish. Rasul et al. (2020) claimed that

drying is an effective and affordable way of processing. Drying fish became a

prevalent method of extending the freshness of fish in many parts of the world,

particularly in African and Asian nations, because it was simple, inexpensive, and

provided the fish with a distinct texture and flavor. In poor nations such as

Bangladesh, fish is frequently dried on the sand of beaches, on elevated bamboo

racks, or on bamboo mats. Depending on environmental variables such as

temperature, humidity, and wind, drying fish in the sun takes around one week.

Due to this, dried fish from Bangladesh frequently contains insects, dirt, a foul odor,

and traces of pesticides. In Bangladesh, fish drying is not conducted in a sanitary

and secure manner. Longer drying times could lead to blowflies, microscopic

particles, dirt, and blemish infestations, which would make spoilage and quality

loss a lot worse.

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Existing Drying System. Utilizing fuzzy logic and IoT-based monitoring,

Alvinika, Setyodahi, et al. (2021)'s study suggests that one solution to the issue is

to create an autonomous fish drying system. For autonomous temperature and

humidity adjustment in fish dryers, a sensor, such as a DHT22 sensor, is required

as the system input. In addition, a NodeMCU microcontroller is required to convert

the fuzzy system together into computer language that components, like a heating

element, can understand. The proposed development system that has been

tested, it is shown the results of the proposed system that it may be used to control

the temperature and humidity in fish dryers with an electronic component in the

form of MCU Mode, which represents a location for implementation. Within the fish

drying assessment, the system dried the fish in less time—9 hours—than the

conventional method, which requires two days in the sun. For monitoring, a wifi

module on the NodeMCU microcontroller is used that can be monitored via a

smartphone.

Local Literature and System

Health Concerns, Defining qualities of fresh and rotten fish. Regarding

the Philippine National Standard (2006), there must be a standard for the

equipment and utensils used in the production of dried fish, as well as the working

area. The drying racks and trays must be resistant to corrosion and disinfected

before use. The facilities must be adequately cleaned in order to pass a monitored

inspection prior to being permitted to operate. To prevent fish from deteriorating,

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the cutting process must be completed as soon as possible. Before drying, the fish

must be tested for health purposes to determine if it is still fresh. The features of

fresh and rotten fish are summarized in the following table. This is done to prevent

foodborne diseases.

Table 2.1:
The characteristics of fresh and spoiled fish according to the Philippine National
Standard (2006)

Criteria Fresh Fish Spoiled Fish

1. Body Color normal bright, glossy and pale, faded, or dull

shiny

2. Rigidity of rigid or stiff flabby or limp

Body

3. Eyes clear, bright (cornea clear cloudy or completely white,

black), bulging or protruding wrinkled, sunken

4. Scales adhere strongly Loose

5. Gills’ bright red, fresh sea weedy yellowish gray or brown

odor, color odor color, off-odor (stale or sour)

6. Flesh firm and elastic, springs Very soft, finger impressions

back when pressed remain pressed

7. Skin no to little slime slimy, sometimes coagulated

or lumpy

Salt Content. Pursuant to the Philippine National Standard (2006), there is

a specification for salted dried fish, which is likewise regarded as an ethical food

product in the Philippines. Regional and national public consultations over the

safety and quality of salted dried fish are required. To increase market acceptance,

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dried fish will be introduced to the market. According to the National Nutrition

Council (2022), Republic Act 8172, commonly known as the Act for Salt Iodization

Nationwide (ASIN LAW), stipulates that food-grade salt for dried fish must satisfy

iodized salt purity standards. Depending on the amount of water, the salt content

may also vary.

Dried Fish Making in Cavite. Based on the journal published by Abrina

(2022), dried fish production in Cavite, particularly in Barangay San Rafael IV,

Noveleta, Cavite, makes use of sunlight to dry fish for market sale. Noveleta is

well-known in Cavite for producing and selling dried fish, which will be exported to

cities and provinces throughout the Philippines, such as Tuyo and Daing. The fish

were placed in a "Lawlaw," which will function as the drying pan. Cavite is near

oceans and other fish ponds; therefore, it is easy to access for the production of

raw fish. As per Pa-a (2018), Cavite also celebrates the "Daing (Dried Fish)

Festival," where they honor the production of dried fish in their province and

increase the income of the fishermen. Mayor Dino Reyes Chua of Novelata,

Cavite, introduced it to promote dried fish products so that they can become

distributors of high-quality dried fish products throughout the Philippines. The

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources provided funding for the Noveleta Fish

Port.

Drying Process. The technology utilized in the post-harvest handling,

processing, and marketing of aquatic products—from the time they are harvested

until they are consumed—is referred to as "fish processing technology." Aquatic

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product processing technology applications are primarily focused on preventing

spoiling or retardation brought on by microbes and enzymes, as well as by

improper handling by both physical and mechanical means.

Brining or soaking fish in a salt solution. The amount of salt in the

container where the fish were put before drying is important, according to the

Philippine National Standard (2006). The amount of salt needed depends on the

amount of water given. Checking the brine solution on a regular basis with a

hydrometer or salinometer will help the solution maintain the right level of salt for

fish. In addition, the solution needs to be replaced after each use to prevent the

formation of lipid scum, which, if allowed to accumulate, might make the solution

harmful to the fish. To ensure that the salt penetrates the fish completely, the fish

must be completely submerged in water, and additional weight may be placed on

top of them if necessary. At least 16 degrees Celsius or 61 degrees Fahrenheit

must be in the brine solution, or salt dissolved in water.

Existing Drying System. Panukulan and Quezon provinces and their

coasts are known for their fish, according to Gutierrez (2019). Their main income

source is fishing. The existing process of sun-drying fish is inefficient, dangerous,

and time-consuming, according to a community needs assessment. A solar-

powered fish dryer and vacuum sealer were supplied to the Panukulan market in

January 2019 as part of DOST's attempt to boost the production efficiency of local

small businesses. Building a fish drying facility will help local fishermen and market

merchants sell their harvest. Panukulan aims to become a POGI powerhouse by

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dominating the dried marine product market. DOST gave a solar-powered fish

dryer and a vacuum sealer to the local market in January 2019 as part of an

initiative to boost the production efficiency of small businesses in Panukulan. A

drying facility is intended for local fishermen and market traders. Panukulan's high-

quality dried marine products aim to lead the POGI sector.

Local Studies

Existing Drying System. The study found that drying time is influenced by

both the drying environment and brine concentration. Using a designed solar

drying facility and corrugated UV plastic roofing, the air temperature can be

enhanced. It was carried out in an open-air dryer where fish were arranged in a

drying tray and exposed directly to open air and sunlight to test the efficacy of the

modified solar dryer that was designed. Furthermore, it was shown that the split

mullet fish dried out more rapidly with higher temperatures and lower relative

humidity levels. Fish dried using MSD is preferable to fish dried using conventional

dryers, according to the quality evaluation, which was conducted because of the

controlled drying conditions and higher overall acceptability of sensory qualities.

Temperature and relative humidity variations have a big impact on the drying

process. (Bigueja, M. C., & Lanciso, L. M., 2022)

Vinasay (2022) found that a solar-powered fish dryer effectively dries fish.

It absorbs solar heat through a polycarbonate sheet and produces 29 to 70 °C.

During the experiment, the fish's temperature was checked hourly. High-quality,

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contaminant-free dried fish passed the test. Fish dryers pay for themselves in

under two years. This machine's steady income makes it a neighborhood asset.

Selling dried fish to other fishermen can be profitable. Solar fish dryers are efficient.

Sundries fish. One kilogram of raw seafood can be dried in four hours. The finished

product lasts for months. The sun's renewable energy makes solar drying free.

Solar drying helps fishermen make a living. Fish dryers are reliable, effective, and

secure. Sun-drying fish is cheap and effective. Fish dries in about 2 hours. Sun-

dried fish is clean and free. Save money. You should fish less. It's versatile and

profitable.

Other Dried Food. Over the years, the sea cucumber rose to the top of the

market in terms of demand and had a vast resource that was exploited. Sea

cucumbers, sometimes referred to as balat or balatan in their native country, are

typically sold dried and go by the names trepang, beche-de-mer, or hai-shen. The

sea cucumber fishery in Palawan consists primarily of artisanal fishing, and the

catch is processed into trepang for export. Trepang is mostly utilized in foods as

well as other health and cosmetic goods. For certain locals, it also served as a

source of food and was available both raw and pickled.

Sea cucumbers can be harvested and sold in the market, after which the

trepang is processed by the buyers. According to the species, there are different

stages to this procedure. It takes 2–3 days for the body to be almost dry and 3–5

days to reach the "stone-dry quality" desired. Sea cucumbers must initially be

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boiled at a precise temperature during the process in order to prevent their bodies

from bursting. (Jontila, Monteclaro, et al., 2018)

Synthesis

As the system's proponents do research for relevant studies, they acquire

information and insights pertinent to the system's purpose. This research and

literature will assist the proponents in understanding the issues and the best way

to construct the "Solar-Powered Desiccating System for Dried Fish with a Salt

Meter and a Load Cell for Moisture Content".

Using solar energy as the system's power source can be beneficial to those

who dry fish. A drying system is recommended for small-scale communities and is

a profitable way to earn money, according to Energypedia (2021), as sunshine is

a crucial component for drying their fish and is therefore distinctive and essential

to them. While the system's batteries are already charged, producers of dried fish

can exploit this as an alternative to drying fish if there is a lack of sunlight. With this

method, they will be able to keep drying fish even when the weather changes. The

producers of dried fish will be able to generate income and produce continuously

as a result of this.

To ensure that the programs and sensors were of sufficient quality, the most

well-known component, Arduino UNO, was chosen as the primary component. It

is an inexpensive microcontroller that is easy to program. This part can also be

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bought at a fair price on the market. Kaswan, Singh, and Sagar (2020) say that

Arduino UNO is important in the real world because it helps people work with

electronics, especially sensors that can be used in different ways. It also uses low

power and has programs that are easy to understand, just like the popular

programming language C++. The programming mechanism will use an Arduino

UNO as the load cell to measure how much the weight of the fish has changed

after it has been soaked in the solution and dried by the system. According to

Omega Engineering, Inc. (2022) load cells are also used in Arduino projects

because of their ability to provide precise measurements of the weight.

A salinometer can be used to determine the degree of salinity present in

the brine solution. In the context of the Philippine National Standard for Eco-

Food: Dried Fishes, these approaches and practices were recommended for use.

In order to comply with the ASIN Law, also known as Republic Act 8172, which

was amended on the 20th of December in the year 1995, this instrument is

implemented for the purpose of measuring the amount of salt that is concentrated

in the solution. This was passed because of the requirement for the consumption

of salt by animals and, most importantly, by humans.

Through implementing the suggested system, producers of dried fish will

have the opportunity to gain expertise with other alternative methods of drying fish,

which they will be able to employ regardless of changes in the weather.

Additionally, it is dependent on technology, which means that there will be less

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manual labor involved. They will be able to enhance and increase the quality of the

dried fish that they sell on the market with this assistance.

Conceptual Framework

The primary objective of this capstone project is to design a

desiccation system that will speed up the process of drying fish in San Rafael,

Long Beach, Noveleta, Cavite. The operator of the model setting says that, on

average, it takes these fish producers anywhere from one to two days to dry fish,

depending on the conditions of the environment.

Figure 2.2 provides an illustration of the conceptual framework that the

proponents used in their system. This will help the proponents understand the

necessary hardware, methods, and electrical components, as well as the

programming-compliant software.

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Figure 2.2: Conceptual Framework for Solar-Powered Desiccation System Using

Salt Meter and a Load Cell for Moisture Content.

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The framework is made up of three different parts called "Input,"

"Process," and "Output." In order for the system to work properly, it will need a

source of energy, and photons from the sun will be the main source. Salt- or brine-

cured fish that has already been soaked is another input.

The process will have all of the steps that are needed to get the work done

in the system. The process that was included in the input was aligned. The input

consists of a source of energy or photons that are connected to the solar panel.

The solar panel interacts with the driver, which is a solar charge controller, to

keep the battery from getting too charged, and the power from the solar panels will

be sent to the batteries. This module will be called "Solar Panel to Battery Storage

Module." Another input is the fish, which is the main ingredient and is soaked in

the brine solution. It will be placed on the aluminum racks. Salt level

measurement is also an input, and the salt content can fluctuate based on

measurements made with a salinity meter placed in a brine solution. The

measurement quality will be handled by an STC-1000 Thermostat, and the

temperature can be calibrated using the component's buttons. It will then undergo

temperature regulation, wherein the heating element and DC fan will be utilized

for cooling. This will also affect the temperature regulation system. A weight sensor

or load cell will be used to calculate the fish's weight. The codes for the load cell

will go through an Arduino UNO microcontroller to be programmed to provide the

correct loop for weighing the fish before and after drying. The weight will be seen

in the liquid crystal display. Arduino UNO gets power from the solar panel to the

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battery storage system, which is also in charge of powering it. The Arduino IDE

will be used to generate the code for the Arduino UNO microcontroller, which will

be used to run the system made up for the load cell.

The fish condition will be generated by the system coming from the solar

panel to the battery storage system. The output of the final phase will depend on

the condition of the fish and the moisture lost by placing it in the load cell to

determine its weight, which will be seen in the liquid crystal display. The

production will depend on the condition of the dried fish immediately after it is

placed in the system.

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CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the research methodology for the system. This also

includes information about the proponent's software and hardware and how they

worked.

Research Design

The system used descriptive applied research to come up with an

innovation to dry fish that is faster and safer. The proposals for this system took

into account the Prototyping Design Model.

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CYCLE

Figure 3.1: Prototyping Model of the Proposed Capstone

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A. Collecting Data and conducting the necessary Analysis for the study.

The aforementioned data was defined by proponents of the required

analysis. The beneficiaries listed in the significance of the study will benefit from

this system. All of the necessary components for the system, including the software

that requires programming abilities and the Arduino UNO microcontroller, have

been specified. So that the system could be put together correctly, the hardware

parts and how they work were also described.

The proponents came up with the idea of developing a system called "Solar-

Powered Desiccation System with Salt Meter and Load Cell for Moisture Content"

to help dried fish producers in San Rafael, Long Beach, and Noveleta Cavite, as

well as dried fish consumers, obtain sanitized and high-quality dried fish. In order

to make this system valuable, its proponents specified online all of the necessary

requirements in terms of associated studies, hardware, and software required to

assess the system's performance. The proponents inquired about the cost of the

appropriate hardware and electronic components, including those for mechanics.

The proponents performed an interview to determine where the system will be

located, and San Rafael, Long Beach, and Noveleta Cavite were selected as the

locations where the system will be utilized as intended.

B. Quick design and system operation.

All of the system's parts, like sensors, microcontrollers, mechanisms, and

other parts, were put in place. The proponents of the proposed system should

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know how it works by creating the flowchart of the entire system and also the

sensors and modules of the system. Each purpose was taken into account when

gathering the information that will help the proponents do their tasks. When all of

the ideas have been gathered, the design of the system is put into action. This will

first happen with the right loop and coding for the microcontroller. Once the sensors

figure out how the system should work, it will do what the system is supposed to

do. After the software is done, the proponents will quickly make a sketch of the

device's size and where it will be placed internally and externally. Good design was

important and the proponents also sketched the supposed appearance of the

study.

C. Constructing the prototype and testing for defects.

The first prototype will be based on the information found in the quick

design. It will be shown as the working model that the system will need in order to

work. The proponents made a prototype of a system for drying dried fish quickly

that can also regulate how much salt is in the brine solution and how much

moisture is in the dried fish. This phase will show how the system as a whole will

work. During this phase, the coding needed for the system and how it works were

also thought about. Based on the conceptual framework of the system, the "Solar

Panel to Battery Storage System" will have one energy source. This method may

also determine the quality of the moisture by weighing it. Regulation of

temperature will also be observed because temperature calibration is essential.

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The primary materials, such as the fish and the salt solution, are essential for the

system to produce and sanitized quality dried fishes.

D. Evaluation of the prototype through actual and manual testing.

Respondents in this study were people who make dried fish in San Rafael,

Long Beach, and Noveleta Cavite. More specifically, the respondents are 15

people who make dried fish. There are 5 women and 10 men who make dried fish,

and their ages range from 25 to 70. This age was chosen by the proponents

because they know how to make dried fish. Barangay officials in San Rafael, Long

Beach, and Noveleta, Cavite, can also check how well the system works.

Respondents will learn by conversing about how they've used the system, pointing

out its strengths and weaknesses, and making suggestions about what features

should be added or removed. This will help the proponent's system improve. At

this point, the system has been evaluated, and conclusions can be drawn. The

evaluation process can take some time to develop, and the proponent should know

about the following possible changes or if they have already met the requirement

or not.

E. Evaluating the design and redefining for improvements.

If the system's functionality falls short of expectations, it is time for the

system's proponents to make adjustments. The information gathered from the first

tests will be very helpful because it will help the system improve. There will need

to be a lot of testing to find ways to make the system work better. After so much

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testing, it is time to construct the final product if the 8 dried fish producer

respondents are satisfied with how it actually operates.

F. Prototype implementation in the designated area.

If the respondents and users were already satisfied, the system would be

tested once the requirements had been reviewed and improved. This phase is

important because tests and evaluations were done before the prototype was put

in the right place, which is done during implementation.

Additional enhancements are apparent at this level since the system will be

used more regularly and testing will involve several trials. Over time, observations

and tests will be discussed. Each feature, including sensors, microcontrollers, and

mechanisms, must be functionally tested. In order to determine whether the

system is useful for its users, the prototype will be implemented in San Rafael,

Long Beach, and Noveleta, Cavite, in order to determine whether the system's

output has performed as expected, particularly its features such as drying the fish,

measuring the salt concentration, and weighing the fish before and after drying in

order to determine the fish's moisture content.

G. Maintaining the prototype's longevity and durability.

The system must be maintained from the moment it is initially implemented

until it is used and operated. Because this stage is vital for preventing system

failures, system maintenance will be inspected on a weekly basis. It will then be

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installed in San Rafael, Long Beach, and Noveleta, Cavite, the areas where fish is

dried.

Testing Procedures/ Method

The primary objective of this system was to provide a high-quality and

sanitized production of dried fish by utilizing sunlight as the power source instead

of 220V AC power. This will enable the dried fish producer to utilize the power of

sunlight, which is also used in their usual drying process. The second is to maintain

the salt concentration of each fish in order to ensure production consistency after

drying. The testing procedures and methods will be matched with the capstone's

objectives. Functionality testing or test cases are crucial for the system because

they will determine the functionality of each module. The Solar Panel to Battery

Storage module requires that the solar panel and batteries be connected to the

solar charge controller. For the integrated algorithm, the necessary sensor will be

included, specifically the load cell sensor for measuring the weight of the fish. For

temperature calibration, it is vital to know the working temperature of various fish

in both fresh and salt water, as they differ. To determine the temperature's

precision, a standard thermometer can be used to measure it. In the structural

model, the fish and salt measurements will be inserted into the brine solution while

the salinometer measures the salt concentration. Following this step, the soaking

fish will be placed in the aluminum racks, and the desiccation system will proceed

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For the efficiency test, it is important to know the performance of the specific

function of each component and other system requirements based on the

components employed in the system's development. In order to determine whether

the quality index requirements for dried fish can be met, it is also necessary to

know the salt's constituents.

Because it is encoded by the proponents and the calibration of temperature

in the STC-1000 thermostat to the measured temperature, the accuracy test is also

significant in terms of the reading of the load cell and the measured weight of the

dried fish. The quality of dried fish varies based on its texture, appearance,

saltiness, and smell. Table 3.1 contains a chart detailing the quality of dried fish.

Provided that the quality index of the dried fish are as follows:

Table 3.1:
Characteristics of Dried Fish
DRIED CHARACTERISTICS OF DRIED FISH
FISH
QUALITY TEXTURE APPEARANCE SALTINESS SMELL

HIGH Firm texture and Light brown Balanced Good smell

QUALITY clean colored and hard saltiness

MEDIUM Soft texture and Brown colored Slightly salty A bit smelly
QUALITY clean

LOW Soft texture and Deep brown Strongly strong

QUALITY has mold colored pungent unpleasant
development odor

The data that was collected from the accuracy testing has to be able to be

categorized using a Likert Scale with three (4) points. The responses of the eight

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(8) chosen respondents are interpreted using the scale that may be found below

in terms of Functionality Testing/Test Cases, Efficiency Testing, and Accuracy

Testing, respectively. The 4 points stand for “STRONGLY AGREE”, the 3 points

indicate “AGREE”, the 2 points for “DISAGREE”, and 1 point represents

“STRONGLY DISAGREE.”

In order to determine the overall calculated arithmetic mean of the

Functionality Testing/Test Cases, Efficiency Test, and Accuracy Test that would

be subjected to the scale of rating, the rating scale that is presented in Table 3.2

was used. Within the context of this scale, the rating was essential in order to gain

insights and feedback regarding how the respondents rated the proposed system.

Table 3.2:
Degree of Percentage Rate
4 POINT LIKERT SCALE

POINT RATE OF SCALE VERBAL INTERPRETATION

4 (FOUR) 4.00-3.00 STRONGLY AGREE

3 (THREE) 2.99-2.00 AGREE

2 (TWO) 1.99-1.00 DISAGREE

1 (ONE) 1.00-0.99 STRONGLY DISAGREE

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Figure 3.2: Flow of information for accuracy testing

The system's testing will be regulated and managed by the system's

proponents. Proponents will examine respondents' behavior and experiences as

they obtain these tests, and respondents will provide and offer feedback. In

addition to conducting interviews for a more detailed approach according to the

systems, the proponent will comply with the respondents' recommendations.

Implementation Plan

The system that is being proposed, which is called the "Solar-Powered

Desiccation System for Dried Fish with Salt Meter and Load Cell for Moisture

Content," will be delivered to the Barangay in San Rafael, Long Beach Noveleta

Cavite so that it can be presented to the primary respondents of the system, who

are the dried fish producers of a particular resident. Due to the charge that will be

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provided by the batteries that will go into the system, the deployment of this system

will allow dried fish manufacturers to continue drying fish even when there is no

available sunshine. This is because the batteries will go into the system. The

proponents are the ones who will be in charge of putting it into action, and this may

be applied to a variety of various locations that dry fish. The particular plan will be

shown which is provided below in the Table 3.3.

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Table 3.3:
Implementation Plan

STRATEGY ACTIVITIES PERSON DURATION

INVOLVED

Approval from Letters for Proponents,

the Barangay Barangay in Barangay in San 1 day
in San Rafael, San Rafael, Rafael, Long
Long Beach, Long Beach. Beach. Noveleta
Noveleta Noveleta Cavite and Dr.
Cavite Cavite Michael Angelo
Ligayo

Installation of Proponents,
the desiccation Barangay in San
Installation of system in San Rafael, Long 15 hours
the proposed Rafael, Long Beach. Noveleta
system Beach. Cavite and Mr.
Noveleta Alisaga
Cavite

Demonstration Proponents,
of how to Barangay in San
operate the Rafael, Long
Information system Beach. Noveleta 1 day
Distribution Cavite

Distribution of Proponents,
user’s manual Barangay in San
Rafael, Long
Beach. Noveleta
Cavite

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Sampling Technique

A sampling method was used to choose a small group of people to take part

in the system. The proponents decided to use a method called "convenience

sampling" to come to useful conclusions.

Convenience Sampling

Convenience sampling was used to choose nine (9) respondents from San

Rafael Long Beach, Noveleta Cavite as the sample because they are the most

useful for the system's intended purpose. A small group of people were chosen to

take part in the system by using a sampling method. The people who came up with

the idea decided to use a method called "convenience sampling" to come to useful

conclusions. The food nutritionist and engineer will be one of our respondents.

Description of the Respondents

The respondents are dried fish manufacturers from San Rafael, Long

Beach, Noveleta Cavite, Food Tech and Engineers. It is their task to test and

evaluate how accurately the usefulness of the project system can be determined.

The proponents of the project chose the responders in order to conduct an analysis

of the project study and provide feedback regarding the testing technique that will

be used to meet the requirements of the system.

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Research Instrumentation

The proponents use the instruments to gather the information that is needed

for this system. By using these instruments, the gathering of data goes smoothly

and is easily accomplished. The proponents employed accuracy testing to

understand the respondents' perspective and readily identify the issues and

problems that needed to be resolved and investigated.

The following instruments and methods were used to collect data for this

study:

a. Observation

In observation, the proponents will observe how the system will process or

when it starts operating and ends in a day. The purpose of this observation is to

understand the process that will be used for the system.

b. Interviews

The proponents conduct an interview with the participants after the consent

form is approved; it was given by the proponent before conducting the interview.

The interview is usually a back-and-forth conversation wherein the interviewer

asks the questions and the interviewee gives the answers and data that are

relevant to this capstone.

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c. Site Visit

The proponent will have a site visit to gather data on the locations of San

Rafael, Long Beach, Noveleta, Cavite where the production of dried fish occurs.

The purpose of this site visit is to observe the actual process done by those

involved, from fishing up to drying the dried fish.

d. Interview Protocol

Its purpose is to guide the proponents and help them have a successful

interview. It provides topics and questions that the interviewer will utilize in order

to obtain more knowledge about the topic. The interview protocol may also serve

as a guide for where to direct the conversation.

e. Consent Form

A consent form is a voluntary agreement to take part in the capstone or

research interview. The purpose of this consent form is to inform the participants

about the system before they are asked by the proponents for an interview. Getting

consent includes informing the interviewee about his or her rights, the purpose of

the system, and the benefits that beneficiaries will get from this system. The

participants which are the producers of dried fish must agree with this and include

themselves willingly.

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f. Research

The proponents also gather the data needed for this system by researching

through books, the internet, and other resources that can be used for this

capstone. This will be used as a reference and as evidence for the gathered

information. Research is the key to answering the questions that the entire system

requires solutions for.

Data Gathering Procedures

In data gathering procedures, the proponent gathers data by conducting a

survey. Giving questionnaires to the respondents will allow them to collect a large

amount of data in a shorter amount of time in the respective location they visited,

San Rafael, Long Beach, Noveleta Cavite, and ask for nine (9) respondents to

answer the survey form provided by the proponents. The eight (9) respondents

consist of seven (7) producers of dried fish, three (3) women and three (4) men

aged 25 to 70, one (1) food nutrition expert and one (1) engineer. The

questionnaire will be filled out by the respondents, and it will be used by the system

to broaden its coverage and seek improvements.

Validation of Questionnaire

1. Formulation of the Data Questionnaire and Survey Form

The proponent conducted a survey by giving the respondents a

questionnaire. The questionnaire contains the respondent’s profile, how they

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process the drying of fish and use the prototype, and other questions that were

related to this study.

2. Validation and Distribution of Data Questionnaire and Survey Form of prospect

Respondents.

The Barangay Officials from San Rafael, Long Beach, and Noveleta Cavite

will validate the questionnaire in order to present it to the target nine (9)

respondents, who are the producers of dried fish. The capstone adviser of the

proponents, Dr. Michael Angelo Ligayo will also validate the questionnaire. The

proponents will then collect the target respondents' feedback on a scale and

analyze it.

3. Retrieval, Encoding, and Data Solution using Scale Technique and Formula.

The results that are gathered from the questionnaires filled out by

respondents will be an important part of this study. The proponents will collect the

answer sheet and use the statistical data for the result that will later be used in the

next chapter

4. Interpretation of Data through Data Analysis.

It includes the presentation, analysis, and interpretation of data gathered

from the survey that was conducted by the proponent. The answers to the

questionnaire will be used to figure out what the collected information means.

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5. Evaluation of the Data Result.

After the interpretation of the data, the proponents will analyze the results

using different statistical tools. The proponent will compare the results of all

respondents’ answers.

Software Requirements

The proponents provided programming using C++ language to implement

the software requirements for the Solar-Powered Desiccation System for Dried

Fish with Salt Meter and Load Cell for Moisture Content for comparison. These

programs will be used to perform the display output information collected in the

desiccation system.

Table 3.4:
Comparison of Programming Language
Programming Language
The basis of
Comparison C++ Java

Most popular among

developers, but slower to
Since it is compiled into
execute because the code
Speed and binaries, C++ runs faster
must first be interpreted during
Performance and immediately.
run-time.

Through the use of only allows you to send values

pointers, you can handle using value references
values directly in memory because it does not support
Pointers
areas in C++. pointers.

General purpose language Enables data and functions to

used extensively for operate outside of classes by

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Namespace internet-based having both a global scope

scope applications and a namespace scope.

As class declarations are

Your program won't
handled by the header file in
compile unless the public
Class and C++, there is no such
class name and file name
filename constraint; your class and file
match exactly.
relationship names can be different.

Since it enables direct Due to its higher level, Java

calls to native system needs additional tools (such
Direct call
libraries, it is suitable for as Java Native Access or Java
support for
system-level Native Interface) to access
native system
programming. native features.
libraries
Source: https://www.upwork.com/resources/java-vs-c-which-language-is-right-
for-your-softwareproject#:~:text=Speed%20and%20performance,therefore%20
faster%20than%20Java%20programs.

C++ is the required program for the programming language that will be

utilized. In addition to being a popular programming language, C++ also has

programs that are simple to grasp and have low power usage. With regard to speed

and performance, pointers, namespace scope, class and filename relationships,

and direct call support for native system libraries, table 3.4 demonstrates that C++

programming has the greatest potential to be used in the development of the

output display of the load cell module.

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Table 3.5:
Comparison for Arduino Compiler
Features C++ Compiler

Arduino IDE 2.0 Arduino IDE 1.0

Windows
Requirement OS Linux
Mac OS

Speed and Performance Fast Slow

Libraries More added libraries Few libraries

Arduino IDE uses the avr-gcc compiler and avrdude to upload our program

in the microcontroller. In selecting the Arduino compiler, features are necessary.

As shown in table 3.5, Arduino IDE has the capacity in terms of Speed and

Performance and for the libraries.

Table 3.6:
Programming Compiler Software Requirement
Application Software Specification Description

• Can be downloaded
in any computer It is used to compile
operating system the program that will
(Windows, Linux, be processed in the
macOS) Arduino UNO and
Programming Arduino • uses the avr-gcc perform its task of
Compiler IDE 2.0 compiler and giving an output
avrdude to upload display of collected
our program in the data from the lod cell.
microcontroller.
• Added additional
libraries.

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Table 3.6 demonstrates the proposed system's required programming

compiler. The C++ programming language is utilized to create a display output of

the collected data from the desiccation system. The proponent will use the Arduino

IDE application, which can be used with any Arduino board, including the Arduino

UNO R3; the programs will be compiled in the mentioned application and

processed in the Arduino UNO.

Hardware Requirements

In terms of the microcontroller, it is necessary to have a microcontroller that

will be used for the processing of the load cell display output. Also, the coded

program will be compiled on the chosen microcontroller by the proponents.

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Table 3.7:
Comparison of Arduino UNO Board
Board Comparison Chart

Parts Arduino UNO R3 Arduino Arduino UNO

UNO R2 Original

ATmega USB chip Square type 45 degrees Square type

position angle

Solder pads Added 4 soldered parts No soldered

parts

Part number ATmega16U2 ATmega8U2

Reset Button Yes

ICSP Header 6 headers No header

Connectors 18 pins in PWM part 16 pins in PWM part

14 pins in the lower part 12 pins in the lower part of
of PWM. PWM.

The microcontroller Arduino UNO R3 has more capacity to process the

program in terms of the features it contains. Based on table 3.7, shows that among

the types of Arduino UNO boards, the Arduino UNO R3 is the only version capable

of giving more input connections since it has additional input pins.

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Table 3.8:
Comparison of Thermostat
Thermostat Criteria
Brands
Temperature Power Power Sensor Price
Range Supply Consumption

STC 1000 DC
6-12V
24V 3W
AC
-50 to 99℃ 120- NTC PhP
240V 305.00

XH - W3001 DC
6-12V 120W -
24V 1500W NTC PhP
-50 to 110℃ AC 215.00
120-
240V

Low wattage is found in the STC 1000 thermostat. According to table 3.8,

the power usage is 3W, it has the capacity for which is why the proponent chose

this particular type of thermostat instead of the XH W3001. Dewi's study from 2021

states that dried fish needs to be between 45 and 80 degrees Celsius in the drying

chamber. The STC 1000 will serve as the specification for the desiccation system

being developed by the proponents.

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Table 3.9:
Comparison of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
Criteria
Features
I2C LCD Ordinary LCD

Supply Voltage 5V 5V

Color of LCD Both have blue and green

Number of input pins 4 pins 16 pins

Dimensions 98mmx60mm20mm

Display Dimension 16x2

LCD will be used in displaying the collected information from the desiccation

system. As shown in table 3.9, the I2C LCD will be the proponents' choice for

displaying the output coming from the load cell. Given in the features that I2C LCD

has the capacity to lower the input pins in order to give more input pins for other

inputs of the desiccation system.

Table 3.10:
Comparison of Aluminum Racks between Galvanized Racks
Materials
Features
Aluminum Racks Galvanized Racks

Mesh Size 1.2mmx1.2mm, wire diameter 0.40mm, 14x14, wire

0.45mm diameter 0.30mm

Heat Yes Yes

resistance

Good Yes No
Corrosion

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Aluminum is a lightweight but easy to assemble material that can be used

to make racks for brined fish. It is lightweight and has strong corrosion resistance.

The desiccation method will be used, whereas the aluminum racks can be used in

tough settings like coastal regions. Aluminum racks are the perfect choice for the

desiccation system, as illustrated in table 3.10 since wet fish will be the first input.

Table 3.11:
Comparison of the External Design (frame and sheet)
External Materials
Features
Stainless Steel (316) Stainless Steel (304) Galvanized
Steel

General Contains additional Basic alloy with Basic steel

Description alloy (molybdenum) resistance to rust galvanized with
which increases its compared to normal zinc at a coating
corrosion resistance. metals. mass of 275g/m3

Highly Sodium and calcium Rust, sterilizing General exposed

Resistant brines, hypochlorite solutions, organic environment
Against solutions chemicals (onshore)

Weak None Sodium, chloride Sodium, chloride,

Resistant and calcium brine and calcium
Against (but slightly more brines
resistance than
galvanized)

Potential High saline Architecture, General industry,

Locations environments commercial and buildings,
(coastal regions and domestic kitchen construction, and
outdoor areas) constructions, sinks, appliances.
coastal regions.

Costs Expensive but Mid-range but Low

cheaper long term in expensive long term
terms of corrosion in terms of corrosion
resistance resistance

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External frames and other materials are crucial in creating the desiccation

system. Thus, according to Table 3.11, stainless steel (316) can be used to build

a desiccation system. Since the desiccation system will be used close to the coast

where there is a high saline level in the air and water that may shorten the lifespan

of the materials used, the proponent chooses to use stainless steel (316).

According to the table, only stainless steel (316) has the ability to provide a better-

proposed system which can also prolong life and less maintenance for the

structure of the system.

Table 3.12:
Comparison Load Cell
Load Cell
Features
TAL221 TALL220

Material Aluminum – Aluminum – alloy or aluminum-

alloy steel

Range 100 – 1500 g 3 – 200 kg

Operating -10 to 40℃ -10 to 55℃

Temperature

For weighing the fishes before and after drying, a load cell is required to get

the data and observe their comparisons. In table 3.12, as observed in the provided

features, the proponent chose the TAL221 which satisfies the proponents’

specification in terms of the kilograms of fish, which the fish are range from 500g

to 1500g.

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Table 3.13:
Comparison of Salinometers
Features Salinity Meter TDS Meter

Definition Used to test the amount Used in common solid substances

of salt dissolved in a found in the water (Na, K, Mg,
body of water (NaCl) Ca,NO-3, Cl-, HCO-3,SO4-2

Unit of g/kg or ppt (parts per ppm (parts per million)

Measurement thousand)

Measuring 0.00ppt – 9.99ppt, 50 ppm – 1000 ppm

Range 10.0ppt – 50ppt

As per the Philippine National Standards (2006), brine solution that will be

used for the soaking of fishes before drying needs to be regularly measured with

a salinity meter or salinometer. This is to maintain the solution’s correct and

required salt concentration. As shown in table 3.13, and in accordance with the

Philippine National Standards, the proponents chose a salinity meter to test the

salt level of the brine solution before drying. Since a total amount of salt was

needed, the salinity meter has the capacity and is approved by the Philippine

National Standards.

The various hardware parts required to create the proposed desiccation

system are listed in table 3.14. It includes the specifications necessary for the

desiccation system. The proponents decided on the process and compilation of

the codes using the Arduino UNO R3. To maximize the charge coming to the

battery, specifications for the solar panel are also provided along with the solar

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charger controller. The proponent also specifies the heating element and load cell

that will be used.

Table 3.14:
Hardware Development Requirements
Arduino UNO R3

Features Specifications Description

Microcontroller Atmega328

Operating 5V
Voltage

Input Voltage 7-12V

(recommended)
The proponents
Input Voltage 6-20V used a
(limits) microcontroller,
which will
Digital I/O Pins 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output) process the
uploaded code
Analog Input 6 and execute it in
Pins the desiccation
system.
DC Current per 40 mA
I/O Pin

DC Current for 50 mA
3.3V Pin

Flash a 32 KB (Atmega328) of which 0.5 KB

used by boot loader

SRAM 2 KB (Atmega328)

EEPROM 1 KB (Atmega328)

Clock Speed 16MHz

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Solar Panel

Features Specifications Description

Maximum Power 2000W (550W per piece)

Maximum Power 40.99V

The proponent
Voltage (Vmp)
used this solar
Maximum Power 13.42A panel in which it
Current (Imp) will serve as the
power source to
Open Circuit 49.65V the desiccation
Voltage system.

Short Circuit 14.13A

Current

Solar Charge Controller

Features Specifications Description

Name MPPT It is used by the

proponent in
Battery Voltage 12V which it will
serve as the
protection from
Charge Current 100A overcharging to
the battery by
Discharge 2A means of limiting
Current the voltage and
current flowing
USB Output 5V from the solar
panel to the
battery.

Battery

Features Specifications Description

Type Lead Acid

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Capacity 100Ah per piece Used as the

storage of the
Nominal Voltage 12V solar energy
collected

Depth of 50%
Discharge

Dc Fan

Features Specifications Description

Rated Power 27W

It is used for the
airflow to spread
Rated Power 24V the heat coming
from the Heating
Diameter 150mm Element.

Heating Element

Features Specifications Description

PTC Ceramic Heating Element with

Name Aluminum Tube

Heat Material PTC Thermistor

The proponent
Thermal Low uses it as a
Resistance heating element,
the heat is
Heat Transfer High coming from a
thermostat, the
STC 1000, that
Voltage 12V
can regulate the
desired
Power 200W temperature.

Lead Wire Silicone High-Temperature line

Heating Method Conduct Heat through flowing air

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Load Cell

Features Specifications Description

Name TAL221

The load cell is

Type Strain Gauge / Straight Bar
used to weigh
the fish before
Weight of Load 500g - 1500g and after drying.
Cell

Operating -10 to 40℃

Temperature

Excitation 6 VDC
Voltage

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Schematic Diagrams

1. Schematic Diagram for Load Cell

Figure 3.3: Schematic Diagram for Load Cell

2. Schematic Diagram for Entire Desiccation System

Figure 3.4: Schematic Diagram for Entire Desiccation System

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Picture Diagrams

1. Picture Diagram for Load Cell

HX 711
Arduino Uno R3

Load Cell Sensor

LCD

Figure 3.5: Picture Diagram for Load Cell

2. Picture Diagram for Desiccation System

Solar Panel
Solar Charge Controller

Battery
PTC Ceramic
Heating
Element

Load Cell
Diagram Thermostat
STC10000
DC Fan

Figure 3.6: Picture Diagram Desiccation System

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Block Diagrams

1. Block Diagram for Solar Panel

Figure 3.7: Block Diagram for the Solar Panel

The solar panel will be the primary source of power, and it will gather energy

from the sun. The batteries will serve as the primary storage medium; this

component will also be connected to the solar charge controller, which will regulate

the amount of charge that is supplied to the batteries so that they are not

overcharged. This will supply power to the Arduino Uno and, more importantly, the

entire desiccation system, allowing it to function as a system that is both cost-

effective and efficient.

2. Block Diagram for Load Cell

Figure 3.8: Block Diagram for Load Cell

The load cell that will be used to measure the weight of the raw fish and the

dried fish has been linked to the breakout board amplifier that is the HX711. The

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load cell will be soldered to one side of the HX711, and the other side will be used

for the Arduino UNO microcontroller. Following the completion of the procedure,

the weight reading will be shown on the liquid crystal display.

3. Block Diagram for Entire Desiccation System and the Desiccation

System

Figure 3.9: Block Diagram for Entire Desiccation System

Figure 3.10: Block Diagram for Desiccation System

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The power source will enable the Arduino UNO R3 to function for the full

desiccation system, while the sensor module will operate as required and the liquid

crystal display will show the measurement display. The thermostat controls the

temperature of the heating element and the dc fan used for cooling.

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Flowcharts

Figure 3.11: Flowchart for Solar Panel

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Figure 3.12: Flowchart for Entire Desiccation System

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Place Dried Fish

a. Before Drying b. After Drying

Figure 3.13: Flowchart for Load Cell: a. Before Drying; b. After Drying

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External and Internal Design

To envision the proposed system, the proponents created a schematic for

the full desiccation system using the program Sketch Up. As shown in the figures

below, the desiccation has all the necessary components to function. For easier

viewing, the figure includes various external and internal views.

3D DESIGN OF DESICCATION SYSTEM

Figure 3.14: Desiccation System 3D Design

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Figure 3.15: Desiccation System

Figure 3.16: Internal View of the Desiccation System

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Figure 3.17: Right Side View of the Desiccation System

Figure 3.18: Left Side View of the Desiccation System

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Figure 3.19: Back View of the Desiccation System

Figure 3.20: Front View of the Desiccation System

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Figure 3.21: Top View of the Desiccation System

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Appendix A
Sample Interview Questionnaire for Small-Scale Dried Fish Industry

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Appendix B
Answers of one of the respondents of Small-Scale Dried Fish Manufacturer
Based in Appendix A

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Appendix C
Arduino UNO R3 Key Parts and Images

Arduino Uno R3 Component Diagram

Arduino Uno R3 Top View

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Arduino Uno R3 Back View

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Appendix D

Load Cell Strain Gauge Images and Dimensions

Load Cell Strain Gauge Straight Bar

Load Cell Strain Gauge Straight Bar Electrical connection and

Dimensions:(dimension unit: mm)

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Appendix E

Selected Hardware and Software Components

Hardware Component

DEVICE BRAND/MODEL

Solar Panel 2000 Watts Solar Panel

Batteries Lead Acid

Solar Charge Controller MPPT

Sensor TAL221 Load Cell 500-1500g

Amplifier HX711

Heating Element PTC Ceramic Heating Element

Software Component

PROGRAM BRAND AND VERSION

Arduino IDE Version 2.0

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Appendix F
Costing of the Proposed Project (Estimated Price)
Equipment Quantity Price Total
Arduino UNO 1 500 500
Thermostats STC
1 300 300
1000
I2C LCD 1 250 250
Salinometer 1 700 700
Solar Charge
1 300 300
Controller
Battery Bank 5 6,000 30,000
Aluminum Racks 4 700-2000 700-2000
Stainless Steel 3 1500 4500
PTC Ceramic
Heating Element 1 400 400
with Aluminum Tube
Load Cell TAL 221 1 750 750
Solar Panel 4 10,000 40,000
Grand Total 79,200

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Appendix G
Computation for the Entire Desiccation System

EQUIPMENT WATTAGE HOURS WATT

HOURS

ARDUINO UNO 0.5 8 4

16x2 LCD 1 8 8

THERMOSTAT 3 8 24

FAN 27 8 216
PTC Ceramic
Heating Element 200 8 1600
with Aluminum
Tube

Total 1852 WH

1852𝑤ℎ
= 52915𝑤 = 12𝑣
3.5ℎ
1852𝑤ℎ + 35% = 2500.2𝑤ℎ
Battery Bank – Lead Acid
2500.2
= 5000.4𝑤ℎ
50%
5000.4
= 416.7𝐴ℎ
12𝑣
PV Cell
12𝑣 × 500𝐴ℎ = 6000𝑤ℎ
6000
= 1714.28𝑤ℎ
3.5

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Appendix H
Report Summary for the Turnitin Plagiarism

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