DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN ALTERNATIVE OIL SPILL OBSTRUCTION USING HUMAN HAIR AND POLYPROPYLENE

This study aimed to provide an alternative oil spill obstruction using human hair and polypropylene. Specifically, the primary approach adopted for this research is to combine human hair and polypropylene to create a comprehensive design that can function, efficiently, and effectively obstruct oil. The designing and development process of the prototype underwent requirements and data gathering analysis, initial design, prototype unit user evaluation, finalizing design, implementation and monitoring, and maintenance and documentation. Consequently, the researchers came up with a layered oil filter design where the human hair is placed in between the polypropylene fabric which serves as the main absorption of oil, and the nonwoven polypropylene fabric is placed over the hair which also serves as an oil absorbent and a binding agent. In terms of prototype fabrication, the researchers followed the step of gathering materials, designing the prototype, finalizing the design, and assembling the prototype which resulted in an oil obstruction tool that can avoid the spread of oil in the event of oil pollution in the ocean. Moreover, this study utilized a prototype demonstration wherein ten (10) faculty members who have teaching experience from the College of Maritime Education in Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation were chosen to participate as an expert. In this study, results show that most experts were satisfied with the functionality of the oil obstruction where the resulting weighted mean ranges from 3.9 to 4.4. Results also show that all experts find the oil obstruction equipment effective with a range of weighted mean from 3.9 to 4.2. Furthermore, results show that most of the experts were satisfied with the efficiency of the oil obstruction which sums up with a range of weighted mean from 3.9 to 4.3. In conclusion, the developed oil spill obstruction equipment can help mitigate oil in terms of functionality, effectiveness, and efficiency. The proposed alternative oil spill obstruction equipment may be locally implemented for local fishermen of Brgy. Dalahican, Lucena City, and has the potential to reduce the growing problem of oil spills.