The Department of Science and Technology-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), inaugurated the "Floating Solid Waste Collector System" on Thursday, June 13.
This innovative technology was designed to efficiently remove, collect, and transfer water hyacinth and other solid waste from rivers and estuaries in Metro Manila.
Developed by DOST-MIRDC and funded by DENR, its launch is a significant highlight of the Environment Month celebration.
On the sidelines of the event, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum explained the initiative, emphasizing the roles of the Harvester, which collects the solid waste, and the Barge, which transfers the collected waste to dry areas.
"This DOST, in tandem with DENR, will help in cleaning the Pasig River and Laguna Lake," Solidum said in a mix of English and Filipino.
"And of course, to support the overall efforts of our government to clean up the Pasig River system," he added.
The DOST official noted that the actual cost of this floating solid waste collector system if imported, is P15 million, but since it was locally made, it costs P7 to P8 million.
"Well, P15 million is usually imported. So, here, it's about P8 million to P7 million. If it's mass-produced, it might be cheaper," Solidum said.
Meanwhile, DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Regional Director Atty. Michael Drake P. Matias explained to the media that the harvester can collect a huge amount of waste materials depending on the time of deployment.
Matias also emphasized that, unlike the manual methods of collecting waste from the river system, this project can operate continuously as long as there is an efficient diesel supply.
Technical specifications
The equipment has two parts: the "harvester" and the "barge."
The "harvester" has a steel frame with an eight cubic meter (m³) capacity and a harvesting rate of 1.5 cubic meters per minute (m³/min).
It also has a five-knot speed, 140 horsepower (hp) diesel engine, and 600 millimeters (mm) propeller diameter.
Meanwhile, the "barge" was made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) hull material, has a 5.6 m³ capacity, a 2.5 m³/min unloading rate, and dimensions of 10.7 by 2.5 m.
It also has a 140 hp hydraulic engine, eight knots in speed, and 115 hp outboard motors.
Features
The harvester features an efficient conveyor system, streamlined for effective collection and discharge. Its compact propulsion ensures easy maneuverability, while extended operation capabilities allow for a minimum of eight hours of operation without refueling.
The harvester is designed for optimal performance with multiple modes for enhanced fuel efficiency. Keel cooling maintains optimal engine and hydraulic temperatures, and a precision cutter removes hyacinth roots.
Solenoid-actuated controls provide precise and responsive operation.
Meanwhile, the barge features lightweight FRP construction, ensuring durability and ease of handling.
Its compact outboard motor enhances speed, making it highly efficient. Versatile in transport, the barge can be transferred easily by land or water with the included trailer.
To improve them further, these machines remained under testing for a few months.