Design and construction of a remote controlled solar powered hyacinth removing machine :

Abstract

Water hyacinth is a floating plant scientifically known as Eichhornia Crassipes which is a problem throughout the entire world in terms of navigation, national security, irrigation and drainage water supply, hydro-electricity and fishing whose rate of multiplication and growth is high in areas where it is introduced. The methods used for the removal of water hyacinth include mechanical removal using various machines, biological removal using weed’s natural enemy, physical and chemical deposition. In Uganda, the water hyacinth is rapidly growing on water bodies of Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga with majority of its hotspots on Lake Victoria and therefore essential to remove it from water bodies. The aim of this proposed research work is to design and construct a remote controlled solar powered water hyacinth removing machine which can effectively collect the aquatic weed (water hyacinth), chop them in smaller quantities and moved to the shore to be for other uses or disposed or burnt. Keywords: Water hyacinth, remote control, solar powered, shredding, DC motors