Design and construction of a semi-automated solar powered machine for removing floating waste in drainage channel :

Abstract

Due to the ever-increasing World population, there has been resultant increase in resource consumption which has been manifested by increased waste generation. Waste management is a very crucial aspect of society organization, especially in urban areas. In the case of poor waste management, toxic waste is hazardous to living animals, aquatic life and plants. When solid waste is not managed well especially in line with disposal, it accumulates in drainage channels. Accumulation of solid waste in drainage channels is associated with very detrimental effects such as clogging/blockage of the drainage channels, flooding and breakout of waterborne diseases due to stagnancy of waste water. A semi-automated solar powered machine for removing floating waste in drainage channel will be designed and constructed to counter accumulation of solid waste in the Nakamiro drainage channel in Bwaise. The prototype operates automatically by the use of sensors and has mainly the lifting mechanism which is powered by a D.C motor to run it, getting its power from either a solar charged battery having solar panel fixed on top or an electric rechargeable battery. The lifters also carry out delivery of the lifted waste to the collection bin built on the machine. The machine executes the function of extracting trapped solid waste from the drainage channel as they are shepherd to the machine and trapped by the screen on the machine, which will solve the problem of solid waste accumulation in the channel along with its resultant evils. This machine will effectively minimize on the accumulation of solid waste in the flowing waste water in the channel. Upon significant reduction of solid waste in the channels, blockage will also be significantly reduced or/and completely avoided and its detrimental effects as well as minimizing treatment costs of the waste water downstream. The machine was technically evaluated and it was found to have a work rate of 9.84kg/min and an overall operational efficiency of 94.64%. Having cost Shs. 1,466, 000, economic evaluation of the project was done and it was found to be viable with a Net Present value of Shs. 95,925,733 and profitability index of 65. The improved drainage channel cleaning machine was successfully designed, fabricated and assembled. I recommend the compaction and use of at least two ultrasonic sensors to obtain right bin height and ensure maximum utilization of the bin volume.