Tamil Nadu Engineering students develop low-cost cleaning device for toxic drains

“This light weight kit can be fixed in the drainage with minimum labour. The Internet of Things (IOT)based device, which is equipped with a chemical sprinkler and suction pump, will also absorb the concentration of toxic gases whenever it goes high and therefore, no human intervention is involved,” Karthikeyan, from the department of computer science engineering of SA Engineering College, who headed the team, told DT Next. 

According to him, this instrument, which could be used for household purposes and inside an apartment complex, also gives out daily status in a database which can be used for future reference, about which place holds the maximum toxicity level.  

“Our system works without human intervention. There will be an IP address in the device, which can be configured into our mobile where we can get periodical analysis chart and database,” he added.

Stating that the device covers up to 10m, Karthikeyan said, this instrument can be placed on a four-way junction so that it could cover the 10m in all four directions,” he said. The student also said that the project, which was guided by professor Dr Mary Anitha, was taken up to find a solution to check and prevent toxic mishaps under drainages. 

On the cost of the system, including installation, the student said after getting patent, the cost for the public usage will be about Rs 9,500, including the cost of sensors, motor, suction pump and chemical sprinklers. Claiming that the instrument will be maintenance free, M Gajalakshmi, another team member, said the low-cost sensor must be changed once in four years so that the accuracy of monitoring toxin is maintained.