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Objective

- To find the appropriate composition of the soil which delivers the highest amount of
electricity.
- To investigate and study an equation related to the parameters (i.e. pH, temperature and
relative humidity) used to define the required composition.
- To compare the cost analysis if being used in a specific capacity in remote area

Scope of the project


The various blending of the both clay and loam soil will be done in this project to figure out the
best composition of the soil which will results in highest electricity yield based on galvanic cell.
The input parameters which are used to control the amount of electricity in the soil are
variation of pH, temperature, type of soil and relative humidity. Here we are using tap water as
a medium for electron movement. The outputs which will eventually acquire from the
experiment are voltage. Other parameters that are not mentioned in the methodology are not
in the scope of study, also other controlled variables, which responds to the objectives is
validated. The results are then to be constructed as an equation for further comprehensible.
Certain part of the applicable knowledge in the existing project may be used in this project.

Expected outcome
The expected benefits of this experiment are aiming to produce electricity that is more
efficient, inexpensive, clean, and could be economical source of alternative energy. Looking
from our perspective, in the near future, generating electricity from the soil could put to use in
the real life; which could at least replace some of convention energies more or less. Suburb
areas where electricity is out of reach due to high cost of installation and advanced
technology. Last but not least, we would like to encourage and invigorate more institutions to
carry on the further experiment concerning this seniors final presentation topic.

White LED diode connecting results


After we have done all the experiments which is to measure the voltage and resistance
connected only 4 cells together in different control factors. We then start to look at the result
where we perceive that the voltages produced from the soil are ranging around 3 to 4 volts
according to table 9. Therefore, one diode that consumes around 3 to 4 volts for it to light up
can connect to the cells in series circuit to test whether the soil current will flow through the
white LED successfully or unsuccessfully. The set up is shown in fig. 77

4White LED diode connecting result


Previously, from the last experiment knowing that 1 white LED diode was lit up by using 4
cells which is approximately 3-4 volts. The hypothesis is that if our group connects a total of
12 cells in which the cells could produce voltage of roughly around 12 volts; therefore, could
light up 4 didoes.
Figure. 81 Shows how to connect the 4 LED diodes in series circuit.

LEkise
When connecting the 12V AC Lekise LED light bulb with the circuit, the light bulb didnt lit up
because our soil electricity cell can provide only circuit of direct current.

Contribution of our experiment


To be applied and used as temporary power supplier, especially in remote area where farmers
or users could have the access source of energy during nighttime. Scope of our applied
area is remote or seemingly remote area where the need for electrical power
consumption is low- fair.

Cost Analysis
From gathering data from Provincial Electricity Authority about the cost to install new
electricity pole, below is the table comparing the cost of each one.
Electric Pole Install
1. In the suburb place case where there is no electricity pole beside or near place

Cost approximately to connect and link the electrical wires with NEW transformer
which further includes the high voltage transmission line, electricity pole, foundation
pillar, electricity meter, survey cost, design and planning cost, maintenance cost and
etc. is around 1.2 million Thai Baht.

2. Existing electricity pole nearby in suburb area

Cost of electricity pole, design and planning process, foundation pillar, wires, and etc
is around 50,000 Thai Baht.

Electricity pole for low voltage


o

Height: 8 meters

Foundation pillar
o

Width * Length: 0.25 meters x 0.25 meters

Depth: 1.1 meters

Electric meters

Figure 1: Price of the


electric meter

For small household with no air conditioning (5 Amp).

For average household with air conditioning (15 Amp up).

For factory or industrial uses 3 phase with higher amps.


10.2.2. Electricity from Soil

Flowering pot = 2 Bath/cell

Zinc plate

= 15 Bath/cell

Copper = 45 Bath/cell
Electrical wires = 3.5 Bath/wire

Advantages and Disadvantages


Advantages
1. Cost-efficient, in which the farmer can save an ample amount of money when they
want to use the electricity with electricity from soil compare to electric pole to be
installed cost.
2. It is feasible to our scope area which are remote or rural area since these mentioned
area certainly require little power consumption. Therefore, our product answer to the
scope within little investment.
3. Soil electricity is clean energy and can be access in any places.

4. The voltage produced can be effectively high enough for larger power consumption if
further research is conducted.

Disadvantages
1. At present, electricity from soil does not give out amount of voltage as high as the
electricity pole.
2. Sometimes the condition of the soil is not stable which can create some effects to the
voltage. It can only be used with DC devices.

Problems and impediment


In our experiments many parameters have to be constraints which are pH, temperature, type
of soil and humidity. To measure these parameters, we use 4 in 1 soil survey instrument which
can test moisture of soil, pH value, temperature and environment sunlight intensity using a
probe with the length of 200 mm. The unit can easily display various reading with oversize
LCD. For pH will have range of value from 3.5 to 9.0. Operating temperature is 5 Celsius to
40 Celsius. Humidity have 5 different levels, DRY+, DRY, NOR, WET and WET+.
For pH we decided to vary 3 different value which are 7, 5 and 6. To vary pH we use soil from
Nakorn Nayok, which is acid soil have pH about 3.5, and mixed this acid soil with neutral pH
clay soil and loam soil. For pH 6 we use acid soil and neutral soil with portion of 20 percent
and 80 percent. For pH 5 we use acid soil and neutral soil with portion of 30 percent and 70
percent. In mixing process, we use hand to mix soil to be homogeneous. With this portion of
acid soil and neutral soil we will get our desired pH of 6 and 7. The problem we faced is most
of the area have pH value that we desired but there is some area in soil have different pH
value that we desired.
To vary environment temperature, we use 3 different environments to achieve 25, 31.5 and 35
Celsius. For 25 Celsius we use room with air condition to control environment temperature.
For 31.5 we use normal environment temperature in Thailand which usually is 30-35 Celsius.
To achieve 35 Celsius we did experiment in sunlight which will raise temperature to our
desired point. Using air condition to control temperature is very effective but for using normal
and sunlight environment temperature are depending on daily weather. In a good day we will
have our desired temperature, but some days weather was not like what we want and we
have to postpone our planning schedule. Furthermore, the light will end around 5 pm so there
is limit time per day that we can do our experiment.
For humidity we also vary with 3 levels DRY, NOR and WET. Normal soil is originally DRY so
we dont have to add any water. For NOR level we use 40 mL of water add to soil and 80mL
for WET level. Outcome of humidity are as we expected but it is the same as ph. Some area
in soil will has different humidity level from what we expected.

Suggestion
In suggestion, from problems and impediments section we face three different problems. To
get exact value of pH, soil that use in experiment should mixed with equipment or machine
that can blend soil to be homogeneous. For temperature, experiment should be done in room
which can control temperature that can vary from 25 to 35 Celsius such as use air condition
or heater. Humidity is the hardest part, when apply water to soil the most wet area is soil top
surface and as time go by water will pulled down by gravity and finally at the bottom of soil
and left top surface dry. There will not be the most accurate value for humidity the best that
experiment can be done is to approximate.
For further research and experiment can be focus on implementing this experiment result to
use in real life. With limit of time that we have, we can only achieve our goal which are to find

what condition that will make soil produce the best result of voltage and create equation for all
parameter that we varied. To implement the experiment result to use in real life, it should
focus on lifetime of soil that can produce electricity. From the result, it can conclude that clay
with pH 5 and wet condition can produce the best voltage but when it get dry the voltage will
be dropped and finally it will run out of electricity. This assumption can be done in further
research and experiment.
At present, our group have so far conducted the experiment in planting pot only to observe
and obtain our objectives for further research, but it would be great if we can design the
shape and more secure boxes for these soil to be used in real life. Not only generate out the
electricity to be used but also display the condition of the soil at that time and also easy to use
and handle. Due to the limited time, we cannot increase the number of cell in the experiments
to get higher amount of voltage, but our suggestion is to do so in order to see how much
voltage we can really get from soil and to be used for higher capacity in near future.

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