CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Rationale of the Study

Noise pollution manifest on highly urbanized areas causing great inconvenience to

people living nearby. It adversely affects the lives of millions of people. Noise pollution is
considered as a minor concern among citizens but it is still a problem that needs notice
and action. Noise may not be as harmful as the contamination and pollution of air and
water, but it is still a pollution problem that affects the human health and can contribute
to general deterioration of environmental quality. But just like trash, which can be
recyclable in some cases, noise can also be a source of something useful to the society.
With the possibility that has been thought of, the proponent of this research aims to
find a way to absorb sound waves obtained from noise, specifically obtained from
vehicles and establishments near public roads, and convert it to provide clean and
renewable energy for the consumption of street lights and lamp posts. The proponent
will also find a way to power the machine to be used from a source also found near the
area of study.
With the continual increase on the number of vehicles together with the fast-growing
establishments and the rise of population in Cebu, noise pollution will further worsen,
but with this machine, noise pollution wont just be something that irritates our earholes,
this will take us to greater heights in the production of clean and renewable source of
energy.

1.2.1 Problem Statement

This research will be conducted to come up with a machine that converts sound
energy from vehicles, establishments and humans into electrical energy to power up
street lights and lamp posts in our roads, most specially roads for public use.
Specifically, the study intends to answer the following questions:
1. What are the ways of converting sound energy to electrical energy?
 2. Is the proposed Sound-2-Spark Converter feasible in the Philippines, specifically
in Cebu City, for powering up street lights and lamp posts?
3. How efficient is the Sound-2-Spark Converter in converting sound energy to
electrical energy by using an alternative source of energy to power it?

1.2.2 Objectives

1. To determine the ways of converting sound energy to electrical energy.

2. To determine the feasibility of the Sound-2-Spark Converter for powering up
street lights and lampposts in Cebu City.
3. To determine the efficiency of the Sound-2-Spark in converting sound energy to
electrical energy by using an alternative source of energy to power it.

1.2 Significance of the Study

Noise pollution may be an alternative for a clean and renewable source of energy,
specifically electrical energy. By doing this research, we can understand the significance
in the context of directly benefitting the individuals and groups concerned. This research
study is created with the following significance in mind:

Drivers and Pedestrians. The results of this study will benefit drivers and pedestrians
in a way that street lightings will never run out of power and will be beneficial for both,
especially during night time.

CITOM. This study will help them monitor traffic in such areas which are deprived of
adequate lighting and would make it easier for them to spot out traffic violators.

Researchers. This study will enhance and expand the researchers knowledge about
using sound energy and converting it to electrical energy for the greater benefit of the
society.
Future Researchers. The findings of this study will serve as a guide for them in
conducting their own research in the same field with the hopes of boosting their
understanding of their chosen topic.

1.3 Scope and Delimitations

The study aims to come up with a machine that converts sound energy obtained from
noises produced by vehicles and nearby establishments into electrical energy that can
power up street lights and road hazards such as road signs with lights and lamp posts.

The study is limited to the variability of the vehicles conversing the area to be
rehabilitated. The time and day of conducting research and data collection may affect
the data. Also, vibrations from nearby establishments might also affect the data.

1.4 Definition of Terms

Noise - irregular fluctuations that accompany a transmitted electrical signal but are not
part of it and tend to obscure it.

Sound - is a vibration that propagates as a typically audible mechanical wave of

pressure and displacement, through a medium such as air or water.

Electrical Energy - is the energy newly derived from electric potential energy or
kinetic energy.

Sound Energy - is a form of energy associated with the vibration of matter.

 CHAPTER 2
THOERETICAL BACKGROUND

2.1. Literature Review

The dangers posed by noise pollution cannot be underestimated.

In this day and age of modern, eco-friendly living, the Philippines still does not have
any national policy or regulation to combat the urban noise pollution epidemic.

While various measures have been taken to prevent the more common water, air
and land pollution, there has been little effort, if any, to address the plague of chronic
noise exposure. And with the unplanned and uncontrolled growth of our cities and towns
due to in-migration, the problem of noise will only get worse.

A World Health Organization (WHO) report suggests that noisedefined as

unwanted soundcan affect human health and well-being in a number of ways,
including annoyance reaction, sleep disturbance, interference with communication,
performance effects, effects on social behavior.

In fact, prolonged exposure to noise levels at or above 80 decibels has been

medically proven to cause permanent hearing loss. Eighty decibels is equivalent to the
sound produced by an alarm clock at two feet, factory noise, vacuum cleaner, heavy
trucks, and loud radio music. Exposure to noise has also been associated with a range
of possible physical effects including colds, changes in blood pressure, other
cardiovascular changes, increased doctor/ hospital visits, problems with the digestive
system and general fatigue.

The main culprit for the growing noise pollution in the metropolis, according to a
study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), are the millions of two-wheeled vehicles
thundering through our streets and neighborhoods. Which isnt really surprising
considering that, based on Land Transportation Office (LTO) figures, more than half of
the 6.2 million registered vehicles in the Philippines as of 2009, are tricycles,
motorcycles, or scooters.

The same ADB study showed that the tailpipe (or muffler) noise emitted by tricycles
produced noise levels as high as 97 decibels. Some areas in Quezon Citys District 2
that are densely populated by tricycles, for instance, registered substantially high
ambient noise levels of more than 110 decibels. Thats as loud as thunder, a dance club
or a rock-and-roll band.

In fact, the noise levels in many residential areas within the district averaged at 80
decibels in the early morning until early evening (6 am to 7 pm) and 65 decibels in the
late evening until dawn (10 pm to 4 am). This is way above the national standards for a
residential area, which is 60 decibels during daytime and 50 decibels during nighttime.

Whats quite disturbing is that in many cases, the noise emitted by these two-
wheeled vehicles is not at all accidental. Were told a lot tricycle and motorcycle owners
have taken to intentionally disabling or removing their tailpipe silencers, believing that
the ear-splitting noise generated by modified mufflers make for safer riding by alerting
car drivers on the road much better than horns. Despite this obvious nuisance, traffic
enforcers are reluctant to stop, arrest and penalize the perpetrators of this auditory
menace.

One things for sure though. Its definitely not for lack of anti-noise pollution laws
since there are enough of them. Theres Republic Act 8749, or the Clean Air Act on
regulating and controlling emissionsdefined as any air contaminant, pollutant, gas
stream or unwanted sound from a known source which is passed into the atmosphere.
Theres also PD 984 or the Pollution Control Law to prevent, abate and control different
types of pollution.

Another Marcos-era decree (PD 1152 or the Philippine Environmental Code)

establishes the standards for acceptable noise levels for communities as well as for
noise-producing equipment. City and barangay officials weve talked to say theyre
hesitant to accost and apprehend so-called noise polluters because there are no clear-
cut guidelines or procedure on how these anti-noise pollution laws are to be enforced
and
implemented.

But under RA 8749, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
has sufficient powers to prescribe the implementing rules onand penalize violations of
noise emission standards, whether for stationary sources like buildings, factories,
facilities or installations or for motor vehicles. The Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC), on the other hand, has been authorized not only to test motor
vehicles for compliance with noise emission standards but also to apprehend and
penalize violators.

All that needs to be done therefore, is for DOTC and DENR to quickly put their
heads together to craft a comprehensive anti-noise pollution regulation that deputized
law enforcement officials from the barangay up to the national level can carry out and
execute.

Energy Scarcity Need for alternative sources

As the 12th-largest nation in the world, the Philippines has a population of more than
100 million people spread over 7,000 islands, presenting several electricity
infrastructure challenges. Currently, the country is facing growing concerns over
resource adequacy in its power sector, as the nation is challenged to add supply quickly
enough to keep up with growing demand. In late 2014, Philippine president Benigno
Aquino requested emergency powers from the Philippine Congress to enable the
government to lease 600 megawatts (MW) of additional capacity and to take other
measures to prevent power outages in Luzon, the largest island region in the Southeast
Asian nation.
 In addition to the government's short-term emergency actions, the Philippines will
continue to expand its electricity generation capacity to improve system reliability and
keep up with economic and population growth. The most recent data available from
the International Energy Agency estimate that 70% of the population has access to
electricity.

Consumers in Metro Cebu have started to feel the effect of the power shortage
triggered by the shutdown of three power plants. Visayan Electric Co. (Veco), main power
distributor in Metro Cebu, started cutting power to households and businesses in the
metropolis at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday after National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP)
advised Veco of the need to shed off 17 megawatts (MW) from its existing supply of
power.

Mark Kindica, Veco chief of engineering operations group, said the impact of the
shortage on consumers was cushioned by Vecos Interruptible Load Program (ILP), which
allows businesses to use their generators to spare households from the brownouts.

Veco removed 10 MW from the electric supply that it distributes to two villages in this
cityMambaling and Basak San Nicolas which suffered from a 40-minute power
interruption.

Table 2.1
 Sound Energy: Alternative source of electricity

What is Sound Energy?

Sound energy is a form of energy associated with the vibration of matter. The SI
unit of sound energy is the joule (J). Sound is a mechanical wave and as such consists
physically in oscillatory elastic compression and in oscillatory displacement of a fluid.
Therefore, the medium acts as storage for both potential and kinetic energy as well.

Consequently, the sound energy in a volume of interest is defined as the sum of the
potential and kinetic energy densities integrated over that volume:

Where;
V is the volume of interest;
p is the sound pressure;
v is the particle velocity;
0 is the density of the medium without sound present;
is the local density of the medium;
 c is the speed of sound.

Sound energy is also a type of wave motion. We are heard by others when we talk
because of the sound energy we produce. It is due to the effect of the air molecules
vibrating when we talk. The vibrating molecules hit our eardrums, which enable us to
hear others talk.

Sound energy may be converted into electrical energy for transmission, and later
the electrical energy can be converted back into sound energy at the receiving end. An
example of such transformations could be seen in the microphone and the loudspeaker.
Sound, like heat energy is easily lost. The transformation of one form of energy into
another may be accompanied by losses in the form of sound and/or heat that are often
not desirable.

Uses of Sound Energy

Sound energy is currently being explored for a number of different purposes,

ranging from tactical weapon development to energy production and even as a means
unto itself for lift and propulsion.

In a militaristic sense sound waves contain within them the inherent nature to disrupt
cellular bindings and, as explored through tests on laboratory animals, can actually
cause internal damage and bleeding if directed at a high enough frequency at a
living creature. While this has little practical application at this time outside of a military
application it is still a field being explored by some developers.

Alternatively sound energy has been proven as a source of energy that can easily
be utilized in enclosed energy production systems such as a Sterling engine. The
Sterling engine, designed originally as a steam engine for transportation, relies upon the
heating and cooling of liquids within the structure to turn a piston and generate energy.
Sound waves at the right frequency have been determined as an adequate source to
produce the heat necessary to the Sterlings power production process to not only
generate power but also excess heat, potentially meaning both a supplemental clean
power source for individual homes as well as an additional heat generator to be used to
offset water or air heating costs.

In a pure transportation sense sound energy has even been found to be capable of
generating lift and propulsion directly upon objects. By utilizing supersonic waves
traveling at a frequency of over 20,000 fluctuations per second Tokyo researcher Yoshiki
Hashimoto has successfully been able to levitate a number of objects vertically and
subsequently move them through three dimensional space by utilizing the highly
controllable nature of the supersonic sound waves. In an industrial sense this could lead
to much more efficient production of high-tech computer equipment that is normally
highly sensitive to any tactile contact and due to the levitating devices high mobility and
relatively low energy draw can easily be used in a number of different settings without
extensive re-development of existing manufacturing plants.

Other studies into sound energy include the usage of various high-frequency waves
to actually cancel out other sound pollution that is generated daily from daily life in
urban settings. This is particularly helpful in areas where cars and other sources of loud
sounds can have their noise at least partially negated by corresponding frequencies,
much like noise cancelling headsets utilize a soft white noise to eliminate other sounds
around a listener.

Conversion of Sound Energy to Electrical Energy

We all know sound energy is a mechanical energy which travel in the form of wave,
mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure which need medium to travel i.e. it
could not travel through vacuum as it need medium. Through liquid and gas state sound
is transmitted as longitudinal wave whereas through solid it could be transmitted as both
longitudinal wave and transverse wave. Longitudinal waves are of alternating pressure
deviation from the equilibrium pressure, causing local region of compression and
rarefaction, while transverse wave (in solid) are waves of alternating shear and stress at
right angle to the direction of propagation. When sound wave travel through a medium
mater in that medium is periodically displaced and thus oscillates with sound wave. The
sound wave displace back and forth between the potential energy of compression or
lateral displacement strain of the matter and the kinetic energy of the oscillation. As
sound energy is a mechanical energy it could be converted into electricity as
mechanical energy could be converted into electricity by the law of thermodynamics.
Sound energy could be easily converted into heat energy which could be easily
converted into electricity but it is not highly efficient as the loss in conversion will be
more whereas the other method is converting sound energy to electricity by
piezoelectric material, piezoelectric materials are the crystal which converts mechanical
strain to electric energy by such method. So we could see that sound is a form of
mechanical energy and according to third law of thermodynamics mechanical energy
could be converted into electric energy.

So it could be seen that theoretically sound energy could be converted into electricity
now let us see practically how it could be made possible
 CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

The researcher gathered preliminary information to obtain data related to the study.
Based on the previous researches presented in the review of related literature,
conversion of sound energy to electric energy to be enabled to illuminate the street
lights, signals and lamp posts, was validated to be feasible.
The study will make use of a program that distinguishes soundwaves with a
frequency between 50 Hz 150Hz which is the range of ideal frequency for harnessing
energy and machine to convert the chosen soundwaves to electrical energy. The design
of the machine will greatly depend on the location and the availability of soundwaves.
Frequency mapping and site observation will be conducted to provide factual situation
of traffic density and frequency to determine the saturation of noise emitted by vehicles.
This proposal is for the benefit of the citizens in Cebu. A monetary evaluation of the
resources and materials, including its operations will be computed to determine if the
project is economical.
3.2 Research Environment
Cebuanos and tourists are witness to Cebu's increasing traffic. GPS-based traffic
app Waze named Cebu as the world's worst urban area to drive in.
Scores ranging from 10 (satisfying) to 1 (miserable) were assigned after examining
millions of active Waze users in 38 countries and 235 metro areas. The answers were
then evaluated for the second annual Global Driver Satisfaction Index posted on Waze's
website Tuesday (September 13). It took into account six qualitative and quantitative
factors to give a glimpse of what its like to drive in other countries and cities.

The Waze Global Driver Satisfaction Index were:

1. Traffic level by frequency and severity of traffic jams
2. Road quality and infrastructure
3. Driver safety based on accidents, road hazards, and weather
4. Driver services like access to gas stations and easy parking
5. Socio-economic, including access to cars and gas prices

Metro Cebu, Philippines is the worst metro area to drive in, said the Waze study. It
received a 1.15 rating. Cebu was not included in Waze's study last 2015.
In terms of the length of traffic jams and commute to and from work, the situation is
a little better in Cebu than in Metro Manila. Out of the possible 10 rating being the
highest, Metro Manila got a 0.33 rating, while Cebu received 0.58.
For the second year in a row, the Philippines was ranked the worst in the socio-
economic index with a score of 0. This accounts for prices of gas and ratio of cars to the
population. The driving situation in the entire Philippines degraded, as the country is
now the second worst country to drive in. The top spot went to El Salvador. In Waze's
2015 study, Philippines was in the 9th country with the worst driving experience in the
world with a 3.9 rating. This year, the Philippines got a 3.13 rating.

Traffic in Cebu, Philippines

 Figure 3.1 https://www.numbeo.com/traffic/in/Cebu

Thus, the goal is to identify the traffic situation and the noise pollution it creates in
the Philippines focusing in the areas in Cebu City in order to be able to determine the
factors and the amount of sound energy produced. The amount of sound energy will be
used for conversion. It will help to reduce the scarcity of electrical energy globally and
help in the development of mankind and reduction of CO 2 as electric energy. The noise
pollution in the road will be able to convert into electric energy and lights the street
lightings, signals, lamp posts, and other electrical appliances. Moreover, these
information will be used in evaluating and designing this proposal and will help the
researcher to find applicable solutions.

3.3 Research Procedure

In acquiring the necessary data, the researchers will be undertaking the following steps:
1. The researchers will be mapping the frequency in congested areas around
Mandaue and Cebu City. The mapping shall be in 5-hour intervals to approximate
the maximum frequency the area will encounter. This shall be
2. When the necessary frequency data is gathered, the machine can now be
designed.
3. With the support and permission of the local government, the machine will be set
up in ideal areas

3.2 Conceptual Framework

Mapping of the frequency in congested

areas around Mandaue and Cebu City
 Analyzing the frequency data
Designing of the machine

Meeting with the local government

Setting up the machine in ideal areas

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.ijser.org/researchpaper%5CConversion-of-Sound-to-Electric-
Energy.pdf
http://www.nanomotion.com/piezo-ceramic-motor-technology/piezoelectric-
effect/
http://www.slideshare.net/sahadebayon/sound-energy-to-electric-energy
http://www.biofuelswatch.com/uses-of-sound-energy/
https://www.numbeo.com/traffic/in/Cebu
http://www.slideshare.net/sahadebayon/sound-energy-to-electric-energy
http://www.manilatimes.net/dotc-denr-should-curb-noise-pollution/13924/
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=20252
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/604236/cebu-feels-pinch-of-power-shortage
 S-2-S (SOUND-2-SPARK): A
NOISE TO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
CONVERTING MACHINE

A Proposal
Presented to the Department of Civil Engineering
Cebu Institute of Technology University
Cebu City, Philippines
SUBMITTED BY: PACHECO, ADRIAN REY B. BSCE-5

SUBMITTED TO: MS. EFFE B. LASPINAS

OCTOBER 2016