Development Of Low Cost Miniature Weed Harvester To Control Water Hyacinth

Abstract

Growth of aquatic weeds impose a big problem in tropical and subtropical zones, where warm weather supports profuse growth of aquatic plants. Today most of the irrigation projects reported to be unsympatheticaly affected by abundantly growing aquatic weeds as they block canals and thus reducing the water flow. Present method employed for the purpose of cleaning lakes is very expensive. Large harvesters are not suited for small lakes. This necessitates the miniature aquatic weed harvester that can remove the aquatic weeds easily and efficiently. The present work involves the preliminary study on aquatic weed harvester considering all engineering parameters. Especially space, power requirements and drive systems. CAD and FEA softwares are utilised to frame out the final design of miniature aquatic weed harvester. The final model is fabricated and tested to observe the feasibility and working conditions. The present harvester can work for one and half hours covering the distance up to 100 meters at a stretch at a maximum speed of 1.13 m/s.