Design Improvement of a Pneumatic Waste Removal System

Abstract

This research examined the design evaluation of an underground pneumatic waste collection system in the Ikwerre Local Government Area, located in Rivers State. Urban centers are facing challenges in managing solid waste due to increasing populations. Among the various technologies proposed as a solution is the underground pneumatic collection method. This approach holds promise for contributing to the development of intelligent and sustainable urban environments. The focus of this study is an automated waste management system that utilizes underground piping in conjunction with a pneumatic transport mechanism, with the primary aim of analyzing the system’s design and operation. In this initiative, various aspects of selecting and designing the pneumatic conveyance system were assessed, including material characteristics, transportation velocities, and the distance covered during conveyance. Performance optimization for the automated waste collection system has been explored through finite element analysis and modal analysis. Given the pneumatic nature of this system, an important operational aspect hinges on the air produced and controlled by the propulsion mechanism. The design of the pneumatic waste collection system was subjected to experimental vibration assessments, resulting in measurements of natural frequencies, the second-order vertical moment of the engine, the required number of blades for effective propulsion, and the revolutions per minute needed to transport waste with a significant weight of 136029.6 kg daily. The finite element model was used to forecast both dynamic and static responses of the pneumatic waste collection system, and several outcomes were validated with experimental findings. It was experimentally determined that a propulsion system with four blades requires a maximum force of 1988.108 N, while a three-blade system necessitates a maximum force of 35725.8 N to successfully convey a daily waste mass of 136029.6 kg without any risk of system failure.