Development of robotic sewerage blockage detector controlled by embedded systems

Abstract

Sewer blockages are quite common at present in small as well as big cities worldwide. This has become alarming due to the use of polythene bags and other solid materials which are dumped into the sewer system. The sewer lines get frequently choked leading to their blockage and overflow which results in sanitation problems and creates health hazard for citizens. Detection of blockage point is difficult and a major problem in maintaining the sewer system. The current methods of blockage detection are based on manual visual inspection and inspection through CCD camera based equipments. The main limitation of these systems is that sewage pipeline has to be drained out first. In India and other underdeveloped countries, the CCD camera based equipments are generally not available due to their high cost and other problems and the work has to be done manually by hiring labourers. In this study, robotic equipment with an embedded system has been developed for locating the blockage using ultrasound sensors. These sensors can work in the pipelines of all diameters by carrying these by a suitable size of robotic vehicle and hence can be used easily. It can work in liquid filled sewer pipes of all sizes. This system can also be used for pipe-fault detection of other systems after small changes.