DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

TOPIC: Green Flow: Sustainable, Semi-Automated Cleaning for Urban Drainage Systems

GROUP NO: 16
Guide: Prof. Anwar Sadique
ABDURAOOF M TCR21ME003
Department of Mechanical Engineering
ABHIRAM K TCR21ME008
GEC Thrissur
ANANTHU KRISHNA M TCR21ME030
AMIN JIHAN K M MAC21ME022
Green Flow:
Sustainable, Semi-
Automated Cleaning
for Urban Drainage
Systems
TABLE OF CONTENTS

• INTRODUCTION
• LITERATURE REVIEW
• OBJECTIVES
• METHODOLOGY
• PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
• PROBLEM STATEMENT
• SOLUTION
• FIELD VISIT AND CASE STUDY
• CALCULATION
• MACHINE LEARNING PART
• FABRICATION
• PROJECT OUTCOMES
• REFERENCE
INTRODUCTION
 Drainage systems are essential components of urban infrastructure, managing
rainwater, wastewater, and other types of runoff to prevent flooding and
maintain public sanitation. However, these systems frequently face issues with
blockages due to the accumulation of waste materials such as plastic, silt,
leaves, and other debris.

 To reduce health risks in manual drainage cleaning, this project introduces a

semi-automated system that uses motorized mechanisms to safely remove
solid waste, protecting workers and preventing blockages and flooding.
LITERATURE REVIEW
AUTHOR JOURNAL DESCRIPTION

P. Saji Raveendran, Experimental analysis of The study presents an experimental analysis

S. Panith Malai, R. semi-automatic drainage focused on the design, development, and testing
Naveen Raj, V. cleaner of a semi-automatic drainage cleaning system
Naveen, and J.S. aimed at efficiently removing solid waste from
Binoj. drainage systems in a cost-effective manner

L. García, J. Modeling and real-time The study presents various modeling and control
Barreiro-Gomez, E. control of urban strategies for urban drainage systems (UDS),
Escobar, D. Téllez, drainage systems: A including real-time control techniques, their
N. Quijano, and C. review advantages, and challenges in implementation. It
Ocampo-Martinez. provides an overview of methodologies for
managing urban drainage efficiently under
different environmental and operational
conditions
LITERATURE REVIEW
Roy C. Hageman Maintenance of The study provides guidance on the upkeep of
Sewage Treatment sewage treatment equipment, covering routine
Plant Equipment inspections, repairs, and operational standards
to ensure plant efficiency.

L. M. Johnson Mechanical Equipment It discusses the role and function of mechanical

in Sewage Treatment equipment in sewage treatment, detailing types
of machinery and their contributions to effective
wastewater processing.

Markus Pichler, Fully Automated It explores techniques for automating the

Albert Wilhelm Simplification of Urban simplification of large-scale urban drainage
König, Stefan Drainage Models on a models, enhancing efficiency in simulating and
Reinstaller, and Dirk City Scale managing city-wide water systems.
Muschalla
 TITLE AUTHORS DESCRIPTION
Design and Fabrication of Semi- Ajay Khadse In this system use the most important parameter
Automatic Drain Cleaner for Shivam Rade, like ultrasonic sensor, motors, raspberry pi etc. The
Floating Materials Sahil Balpande project provides a warning system is used for the
Prof. Neema Ukani, checking of the status of the dump collector bin by
Prof. Saurabh Chakole5 an ultrasonic senor which is operated by Raspberry
Pi.
AUTOMATIC DRAINAGE Chandan Chowdhury Automatic drainage water pump monitoring and
CLEANING SYSTEM USING AUTO Manabendra Ghosh control system using PLC and SCADA. In this
MECHANISM project they use efficient way to control the disposal
of wastage, regularly treatment of disposal in
different way both toxic and non-toxic.
Justice Denied: Death of workers Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan It tells us about the number of death caused during
engaged in manual scavenging cleaning of sewage and septic The research covered
while cleaning the Septic tank or various aspects which can be broadly categorized
Sewer as; present living condition of the deceased’s family
after death, compensation received by the families
on account of the death as per rehabilitation of
survivor’s family members and if any legal actions
were taken by the family of the deceased.
 METHODOLOGY
Problem Identification and Research

Objective and Requirement Setting

Design Calculations

System Design

Fabrication Process

Experimental Setup

Examine and Analysis

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
 The main incident that leads to our problem
identification is that the death of a sanitation
worker at Thiruvananthapuram canal who works
to clean the drainage manually and that leads to
his tragic death inside the drainage.
 We identified that there were no any safety
around the drainage while working inside the
drainage.
 The main reason is that there is no any proper or
continuous waste collection from the drainage.
So the wastes are accumulated largely inside
the canal. This leads to difficulties for the people
who were worked inside the canal. Fig.1
Source: The
 This situation is not only important while Indian express
happened in Thiruvananthapuram but it is a
serious issue that is facing in our society.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
• To collect the wastes from the drainage continuously without affecting the human lives, there is no any proper
solution present till now.

• So in order to solve this problem we identified a solution that is properly suitable for this kind of problems.

Fig.2
SOLUTION ( For open type drainage)
So our project Semi automated urban cleaning system is a perfect solution for the problem that is
identified and stated above.

Fig.3.a
Fig.3.b
OBJECTIVES

 To design a portable and adaptable open drainage waste collecting system.

 To fabricate and test the open drainage waste collecting system.
 To prevent blockages and flooding by regularly removing drainage debris.
 To create a cost-effective and easy-to-maintain system for broad
applicability.
 SUB OBJECTIVES
• Mechanical design of the system with conveyor belt.

• Computer based automation ( Yolo trained automation )

• Integration of mechanical designed and computer based automatic systems.

• Testing.
METHODOLOGY
1. Problem Identification and Research
 Define the Issues: Start by analyzing existing drainage problems, including the health hazards
faced by workers, inefficiencies in manual cleaning, and environmental impacts of blockages.
 Literature Review: Research previous works on automated and semi-automated drainage
systems. Identify gaps in current methods to establish a baseline for your design and
objectives.

2. Objective and Requirement Setting

 Set Clear Objectives: Outline project goals, such as enhancing safety, improving efficiency,
creating a cost-effective system, and reducing environmental impact.
 Establish System Requirements: Define technical specifications for the cleaning system,
including material durability, motor specifications, and waste-lifting capacity.
3. System Design
 Component Selection: Select the core components:
 Frame: Choose durable, rust-resistant materials like mild steel.
 Motor: Use a DC motor with sufficient torque to drive the lifting mechanism.
 Chain and Sprocket: For waste-lifting operations.
 Collection Bin: Design to allow for easy disposal of accumulated waste.
 3D Modeling and Simulation: Use CAD software (e.g., CREO, SolidWorks) to create detailed designs
of the system. Simulate stress and load to ensure stability under operating conditions.

4. Design Calculations
 Motor and Torque Calculations: Calculate the required motor power and torque based on expected
load, lifting height, and speed.
 Structural Calculations: Assess the frame’s strength and stability under weight, including force and
stress analysis.
 Energy Consumption: Estimate power needs and battery specifications to ensure reliable operation.
5. Fabrication Process
 Assemble the Frame: Weld and assemble the frame based on the CAD model dimensions.
 Install Components: Attach the motor, chain, sprocket, and lifters. Ensure alignment for smooth
operation and minimal friction.
 Set Up Collection Mechanism: Secure the collection bin and verify its accessibility for waste
disposal.

6. Experimental Setup
 System Placement: Install the system across a drainage line, positioning it to allow only water to
flow through while capturing solid waste.
 Calibration and Testing: Run the system under controlled conditions to calibrate speed, lifting
efficiency, and waste capacity.
7. Examine and Analysis
 Measure Efficiency: Track the system’s performance, such as waste collection speed, motor
efficiency, and the system’s ability to prevent blockages.
 Evaluate Durability: Test the frame and components over time to assess wear and
resistance to corrosion.
 Cost-Effectiveness Assessment: Calculate operational costs compared to manual methods,
including labor savings and maintenance expenses.

8. Final Adjustments and Improvements

 Optimize Based on Results: Make adjustments based on experimental data. For instance,
increase motor power if lifting is insufficient or enhance bin size for more waste capacity.
 Finalize Design for Practical Application: Adjust the design for easy portability, durability,
and scalability for various drainage conditions.
FIELD VISIT AND CASE STUDY ( Open type Drainage )
Location 1: Near railway station Thrissur

. Size of the canal is given,

Width: 4.5m
Depth: 2.2m

. Amount of monthly waste collection two times is around

100 plus kilograms.

. The work is done by three workers.

. Mode of waste collection: Manual operation by hand

and also with stick and net.
Fig.4
 Location 2: Near Shakthan nagar Thrissur
. Size of the canal is given,
Width: 5.256m
Depth: 3.32m

. Amount of monthly waste collection two times is around

100 plus kilograms.

. The work is done by five workers.

. Mode of waste collection: Manual operation by hand directly or

indirectly with stick and net.
Fig.5
SELECTION OF CONVEYOR BELT
Name of the conveyor belt material : woven nylon
Material properties of conveyor belt :
•Durability: Woven nylon is strong and durable, making it suitable for applications that require it to withstand
impacts.
•Abrasion resistance: Woven nylon is resistant to abrasion, making it suitable for applications where friction and
wear are common.
•Elasticity: Woven nylon is elastic and has good stretch.
•Water resistance: Woven nylon is water resistant and dries quickly.
•Damage resistance: Woven nylon is resistant to damage from oil and many chemicals.
•Colorfastness: Woven nylon is colorfast.
•Flexibility: Woven nylon is flexible and easy to bend, shear, and twist.
•Comfort: Woven nylon is comfortable.
•Easy maintenance: Woven nylon is easy to maintain. Fig.6
DESIGN CALCULATION FOR MODEL
Length of conveyor= 4m
Width of conveyor=2m
Total carrying load = 50 kg
Mass of belt= Total area x Unit density(=2.5 kg/𝑚𝑚2 )
= ( 4 x2) x 2.5
=20 kg
Belt material used is WOVEN NYLON.

Total load on conveyor= Total carrying load + Mass of belt

=50 + 20
=70 kg
Speed of conveyor
Let Cycle time= 15 sec
(Cycle time is the time taken for an object to take from bottom to top of the conveyor)
It takes 15 sec to travel a length of 4 metre
For 15 sec → 4 m
For 1 sec →4/15= 0.266 m/s
Therefore, Linear speed=0.266 m/s
Power of Motor
Power=work / time = (force x displacement)/ time
= Force x velocity
This force is Pull force.
Pull force = frictional force x force against gravity
Frictional force = μ x N = μ x mg x cos θ
Force against gravity= mg sinθ
Pull force , F= μ x mg x cos θ + mg sinθ
=mg(μ cosθ + sinθ)
=70 x 9.81 x (0.25 cos 45 + sin 45)
=606.96 N
Power= F x velocity
= 606.96 x 0.266
= 161.45 W
[ 1 H.P = 746 W]
So, Power = 161.45/ 746 = 0.216422 H.P
Fig.7
≈ 0.25 HP
Power of motor = 0.25 HP
Torque of Motor
Linear speed = 0.266 m/s = 0.266 x 60 = 16 m/min
Roller diameter = 13 cm = 130 mm
Circumference of roller= π x D
= 3.14 x 130 mm
= 408.2 mm = 0.4 m
For 0.4 m distance will get revolved in 1 revolution of roller.
0.4 m→ 1 rev
1 m→1/0.4(=2.5) rev
16 m→ 40 rev

Speed of motor = 40 RPM

To convert RPM to rad/sec
Multiply speed with 2π/60
(2π x 40) /60 = 4.18 ≈ 4.2 rad/sec
Torque of motor = Power/angular speed
= 161.45/4.2
= 38.4 ≈40 N-m
Torque = 40 N-m
Parameters of motor selected for original system
Power of motor= 0.25 HP
Speed of motor= 40 RPM
Torque of motor= 40 N-M
 YOLO BASED COMPUTER AUTOMATION
STEPS INVOLVED

1. Data collection ( Collection of large varieties of photos containing drainage waste).

2. Dataset preparation ( Using roboflow software, preparing the dataset to train ).

3. Train the system ( using the prepared dataset train the system).

4. Test the system.

The programme used here to train is YOLO version5

The YOLOv5 algorithm retains more features in the feature extraction network and often optimizes the algorithm details.
DATA SET CREATION USING ROBOFLOW SOFTWARE
 The collected data ( images of drainage wastes for open type ) annotated manually using roboflow software.

 Then created a data set that is to be trained.

 The data set downloaded may be in unmatched format so which is to be extracted into the required format.

Fig.8.b
Fig.8.a
EXAMPLES OF LABELLED IMAGES
 TRAIN THE MODEL

 Train the model using google collab with our dataset.

 Then download the trained code.

Fig.9.a Fig.9.b
 TEST THE PICTURES
Test with some pictures to get the result

Picture that is given to test. Tested picture with yolo detected waste.

Fig.10.a Fig.10.b
 ADVANTAGES OF YOLO ALGORITHM
1. Real-Time Object Detection YOLO (You Only Look Once) is optimized for speed and can process video frames
in real-time, making it perfect for live camera feeds.
2. Single-Stage Detector Unlike other models that use two stages (e.g., R-CNN), YOLO performs detection and
classification in a single pass — this keeps latency low and performance high.
3. High Accuracy with Speed The model provides a good balance between detection accuracy and processing
speed, ideal for embedded or live-response systems.
4. Efficient Hardware Utilization YOLO works well even on modest hardware (like laptops or Jetson Nano
boards), so it’s a good fit when system resources are limited.
5. Custom Training Support You're using a custom-trained model (best.pt), which means YOLO has been trained
on specific objects relevant to your application — this enhances detection reliability.
6. Bounding Box and Class Prediction YOLO not only detects objects but also gives class labels and confidence
scores, making it useful for visual feedback and automated decision-making.
7. Great Integration with OpenCV and Python The Ultralytics YOLO API integrates easily with OpenCV, allowing
real-time visualization, annotation, and control — as seen in your app. Triggering External Hardware Since
you’re sending serial data based on detections, YOLO helps act as a “smart eye” for your hardware — for
example, turning on LEDs or alarms when an object is detected.
 MOTOR CONTROLLING USING MICRO CONTROLLER
 The running condition of the conveyor belt can be controlled using a micro controller ( to make automated ) by
using the results of yolo based waste detection.

 The micro controller used here is ESP32.

 The motor controlling can be achieved by using proper motor controller via a micro controller for making
automated.

 The motor controller used here is BTS 7960.

BTS 7960
ESP 32
Motor Controlling Circuit
Fig.11
3D MODEL OF PROPOSED SOLUTION

Fig.12
FABRICATION WORK

Fig.13.a Fig.13.b Fig.13.c

 PROJECT OUTCOMES
 Enhanced Worker Safety: Reduces health risks by minimizing direct contact with hazardous waste,
ensuring a safer work environment.
 Improved Cleaning Efficiency: Streamlines waste collection with a semi-automated mechanism,
decreasing time and labor compared to manual methods.
 Prevention of Blockages and Flooding: Regular removal of waste from drainage prevents clogs,
maintaining proper water flow and reducing flood risk.
 Cost-Effective and Durable Design: Built with affordable, corrosion-resistant materials that ensure low
maintenance and long-term use.
 Environmental Benefits: Reduces waste in drainage systems, contributing to cleaner public spaces and
improved urban sanitation.
 Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts: Equipped with sensors and GSM modules, the system provides alerts
for timely maintenance, reducing downtime.
 Portable and Adaptable: The system can be easily installed and adapted to various drainage points,
improving accessibility and utility.
REFERENCES
• García, L., Barreiro-Gomez, J., Escobar, E., Téllez, D., Quijano, N., & Ocampo-Martinez, C. (2015).
Modeling and real-time control of urban drainage systems: A review. Advances in Water Resources, 85,
120–132.

• Raveendran, P. S., Malai, S. P., Raj, R. N., Naveen, V., & Binoj, J. S. (2022). Experimental analysis of semi-
automatic drainage cleaner. Materials Today: Proceedings, 66, 1492–1496.

• Design and Development of Semi-Automated Drainage Cleaning System" (International Journal of Advanced
Research in Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, 2017)

• "Semi-Automatic Drainage Cleaning System Using PLC and Sensors" (International Journal of Scientific
Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2018)

• "Development of a Semi-Automated Drainage Cleaning System Using Robotics" (Journal of Robotics and
Mechanical Engineering Research, 2019)

• Water & Wastewater Treatment magazine - Articles on drainage cleaning and maintenance.
THANKYOU