SMUSHS Journal of Applied Research, May, 2019

Research Capstone Project

SMUSHS Journal of Applied Research
RESEARCH DEPARTMENT May 2019
Saint Mary’s University, Senior High School

Potential Adsorption Property of Activated Carbon from Bamboo

Charcoal and Diatomaceous Earth through Water Filtration

Agraan, Bagaiosan, Ballesteros, Barroga, Fernando, Manglallan, Montemayor, Morales, Olad, Pascua,
Santos
Senior High School, Saint Mary’s University

1. Introduction

From a total population of more than a especially that it will be installed to the faucets
hundred million Filipinos, nine million are inside the campus whose water is not drinkable.
suffering from unsafe and unsustainable water Furthermore, availability of drinking water is
sources while 19 million lack access to improved slowly becoming a future concern paving a way
sanitation (Rodriguez, 2014). Hence, the to greater demands on the effectiveness of water
researchers thought of addressing this problem treatment facilities. Having a naturally made
through a water filter which is made from locally water filter will then produce water that are safe
available materials such as bamboo charcoal, to drink.
sand, gravel, and pebble with the addition of
diatomaceous earth (DE).
2. Materials and Methods
The main component of the water filter is
the bamboo charcoal. According to Caron
(2008), activated charcoal or also called
activated coal, is a form of carbon that has been
processed to be extremely porous in order to
possess strong adsorption characteristics
extensively suitable for water purification.
Additionally, bamboo is a local product of
Nueva Vizcaya
The materials that were used in the
This study primarily aims to produce an present study were common and inexpensive
eco-friendly water filter through the use of materials usually seen almost everywhere in the
natural materials and be effective in removing
environment. The bamboo turned into charcoal
contaminants in tap water to make it potable. The
was gathered from one of the researcher’s farm.
researchers further aims to make the water filter
long lasting for a more practical purpose. The sample bamboo was reduced to smaller sizes
and thoroughly washed to remove external waste
The water filter will be beneficial to the particles. Thereafter, the cut bamboo pieces were
community and to the teachers and students of treated with auto clove for it to be activated and
Saint Mary’s University particularly in the safe for the filtration process.
Senior High School department. The
affordability of the water filter will be of help
 SMUSHS Journal of Applied Research, May, 2019

The bamboo sample was further boiled

covered with aluminum foil and

3. Results and Discussion

REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]

Author Profile
Mr. Mark C. Balonquita received his
MA degree in Biology from Saint
Mary’s University in 2015. He is
currently a faculty member at SMU
Senior High School…….