Student Research Reports

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The discharge of domestic wastewater and grease residues constitutes a critical environmental issue that directly impacts aquatic ecosystems. Grease films obstruct water surfaces, hindering photosynthesis in aquatic flora, disrupting habitats, and inhibiting microbial biodegradation. Although conventional methods such as chemical dispersants or incineration are employed, they often result in secondary environmental impacts, including toxic accumulation and air pollution. Therefore, there is an urgent need for safer and more sustainable remediation strategies. To address this challenge, this study developed a "Hydrocarbon-Absorbing Robot Fish" designed to treat community wastewater. The robot is constructed from Plaswood, a 100% recyclable material, with dimensions of 17 x 41.2 x 30 cm. It utilizes a buoy-based flotation system and side-mounted motor propellers for propulsion, controlled remotely via the Blynk IoT application. The system integrates ICT sensors for surface grease detection and a filtration unit containing a hydrocarbon absorption pad made from Pennisetum pedicellatum (Desho grass) flowers. The results demonstrated that the robot achieved a grease absorption efficiency of 79.40% with a treatment capacity of 2 liters per minute. Post-treatment water quality analysis indicated the following parameters: temperature between 26.2–26.6°C, pH of 7.40–7.84, electrical conductivity of 173.6–188.0 mS/cm, dissolved oxygen (DO) of 7.2–7.4 mg/L, and transparency of 117.0–117.6 cm. The treated water meets standard effluent discharge criteria. This innovation offers an environmentally friendly solution that leverages technology to promote sustainable water quality management.