Remote monitoring and control system for the energy self-sufficient bioethanol distiller

Abstract

Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) started the Bioethanol industry way back in 2008 and produced the first fuel-grade Hydrous Ethanol (95%) in the Philippines in 2012. Developments continued until the team developed Village-scale fuelwood fired 150 L and 850 L capacity Multi-Feedstock Bioethanol Distiller. Recently, the Village-Scale Bioethanol Industry established in Pamplona, Cagayan, produced more than 4000 L of 95% Ethanol from Nipa Sap last year. The output of the team was remarkable. Challenges encountered in monitoring operation protocols resulted in low efficiency, mainly because the distillers are situated about 4 hrs away from the University. With a low ethanol yield of 5-6 percent during the production last year, the team was challenged to develop a Remote Monitoring and Control System for the Distillers deployed in Cagayan. This study aims to automate the Bioethanol distiller to increase the yield of ethanol. Implementing IoT via web application for real-time monitoring and control, and integrating Photovoltaic cells for an energy self-sufficient Bioethanol Distiller. Results showed that it is functional and effective in controlling the kettle temperature, water pump, and the Bioethanol distiller’s energy usage wirelessly and remotely through the MMSU i4.0 platform. It was observed that the ethanol yield is up to 8.39%. Furthermore, a better quality of the front and tail ethanol yield was achieved by implementing PID control.