DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY

Second Year Project Proposal on

POLLUTION TRAPPER

Submitted By
Pushparaj Kandel (020429-16)
Samiksha Koirala (020432-16)
Lamin Lama (020433-16)

Project Supervisor
Ashish Shrestha

November 2017

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To

The Project Supervisor,

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Kathmandu University

Subject: Project proposal of the second year project

Dear sir/madam,

We are pleased to submit our project proposal for reviewing entitled “POLLUTION
TRAPPER”. The project report is submitted as required for credit requirement fulfillment of
course entitled Engineering Project ‘205’. The proposal includes the basic introductions,
objectives, process and methodologies available, process selection and its reason, and expected
outcome of the project work.

We hope for your keen review and continual future assistance in our work along with the
approval.

Sincerely,

Pushparaj Kandel (020429-16)

Samiksha Koirala (020432-16)
Lamin Lama (020433-16)

Date:

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Executive Summary
Pollution is the major environment concern. Many problems have been raised due to pollution.
Especially in cities like Kathmandu, Birgunj etc, human health and environmental condition is
degrading day by day due to pollution. Our project also focuses on reducing pollution i.e. air
pollution. Many technologies have been developed and many methods have been applied to
control the pollution. Some methods are reliable and effective whereas some methods are
temporary. We are trying to develop our project as effective one. The mechanism of our project
is like vacuum cleaner which runs automatically when the concentration of dust particles exceeds
certain level and for measuring the concentration of different gases in the surrounding. There are
some advantages and some disadvantages of our project “Pollution Trapper”. Our project is an
automatic system which is simple and easy to handle. It gives the real time data of the
concentration of gases in the surrounding and it traps the dust particles. It has some limitations.
The first limitation is that it may not give the accurate concentration of gases. It cannot work
properly above certain humidity. Except these our project can be a effective one in controlling
pollution.

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 Table of Contents

1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 1

1.1. Background ........................................................................................................................................ 1

1.2. Problem Statement and Motivation of the work .............................................................................. 1
1.3. Research Question ............................................................................................................................. 2
1.4. Research Objective ............................................................................................................................ 2
1.5. Scope of the project ........................................................................................................................... 2
1.6. Limitation of the project .................................................................................................................... 2
2. Literature Review ...................................................................................................................................... 3

2.1. Different Technology used ................................................................................................................. 4

2.1.1. CAMCORP’s pulse-jet .................................................................................................................. 4
2.1.2. VEHICLE DUST COLLECTOR AND VENTILATOR ............................................................................ 5
2.2. Components ....................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2.1. Dust Sensor ................................................................................................................................. 5
2.2.2. MQ-135 Gas Sensor .............................................................................................................. 5
2.2.3. Liquid Crystal Display .................................................................................................................. 6
2.2.4. Logic gates ................................................................................................................................... 6
2.2.5. DC motor ..................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.6. Resistors ...................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.7. Capacitor ..................................................................................................................................... 8
3. Methodology ............................................................................................................................................. 9

3.1. Problem formulation.......................................................................................................................... 9

3.2. Literature Review ............................................................................................................................... 9
3.4. Analysis .............................................................................................................................................. 9
3.5. Result Verification and Demonstration ........................................................................................... 10
3.6. Flow Diagram ................................................................................................................................... 10
4. Tentative Result ...................................................................................................................................... 11

4.1. Tentative Beneficiary ....................................................................................................................... 11

5. Cost Estimation ....................................................................................................................................... 12

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6. Time Schedule (Gantt chart) ............................................................................................................... 13

7. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 14

References .................................................................................................................................................. 15

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 Table of Figures
Figure 1: Grove dust sensor [9]...................................................................................................... 5
Figure 2: MQ-135 [10] ................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 3: LCD [11] ......................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 4: logic gates [12] ............................................................................................................... 7
Figure 5: DC Motor [13] ................................................................................................................ 7
Figure 6: Resistor [14].................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 7: Capacitors [15] ............................................................................................................... 8
Figure 8: Flow Diagram ............................................................................................................... 10

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1. Introduction
1.1. Background
More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to
air quality levels that exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) limits. While all
regions of the world are affected, populations in low-income cities are the most impacted.
According to the latest urban air quality database, 98% of cities in low and middle
income countries with more than 100 000 inhabitants do not meet WHO air quality
guidelines [1].
Rapid increase in human and vehicular population along with a continuous increase in
primary energy consumption in Kathmandu metropolis results in continuous increase in
TSP, PM10 SO2, CO, NO2 and other air polluting dust smog and gases. Emissions from
auto mobiles, factories and domestic heating, cooking, refuse burning in Metropolitan
areas have created air pollution which has threatened the wellbeing of the city dwellers.
Housing congestion, traffic congestion and various commercial activities have produced
high amount pollutant emissions in various forms which have ultimately polluted the
surrounding environment and adversely affected human health in the metropolis.
Pollution generated by energy used in large quantities has become a serious problem in
the urban environment of Nepal [2].

Not only contamination of various gases but the presence of dust particles i.e. particulate
matters is also creating various health and environment problems. Very small, fine
particles (particulates) may cause more serious health problems because they can be
inhaled deep into the lungs and airways. These extremely small particles and liquid
droplets can include acids, chemicals, metals, soil or dust [3]. In fact, dust when inhaled
can increase breathing problems, damage lung tissue, and aggravate existing health
problems. In addition to health concerns, dust generated from various activities can
reduce visibility, resulting in accidents [4]

1.2. Problem Statement and Motivation of the work

Considering this rapid increasing air pollution in urban area and its harmful impacts on
living health and the environment, we are motivated to develop this system. As we all
know that the present situation of urban area in terms of cleanliness is degrading day by

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day. The quality of air that we breathe is no freer from harmful particles. Everyday large
numbers of people are being admitted to hospital because of the disease especially caused
by air pollution. And beside those the plants and animals too are suffering from the
adverse effect of air pollution. That’s why to change the present condition, to bring
something new that will contribute in uplifting the quality of the environment where we
live and as well as to make the surrounding pollution free, we are focused to develop this
system.

1.3. Research Question

1. How can we measure the presence of unwanted pollution level?

2. How can it be removed from the environment?

1.4. Research Objective

To address the research question, following objectives has been defined. The main
objective of this study is to develop the pollution trapper proto type. Following specific
objectives will be performed:
1. To indicate the concentration of different gases, present in the environment.
2. To develop a system that traps the dust particle and effectively minimizes air
pollution.

1.5. Scope of the project

The proposed work will cover following limits:
1. Continuous measuring and monitoring air quality
2. Control and operation
3. Visual output
4. Simple, compact and easy to handle

1.6. Limitation of the project

1. The project will have focused on operation principal and the electrical parts, not
mechanical design and optimization
2. Humidity should be less than 95%
3. Accurate measure of contaminating gases cannot be detected

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2. Literature Review
Pollution is a major environmental concern which everybody should realize. Pollution is
the mixture of poisonous materials into the natural resources. It affects the regular living
off. Pollution can be of countless types such as air pollution, water pollution, sound
pollution etc. Pollution is increasing day by day on account of the increasing number of
automobiles, emissions of harmful gasses, from industrial firms, liquefied aerosols, and
so forth. It is our responsibility to control the increasing pollution and try solutions to
reduce the existing pollution. Our environment and we, both are incomplete without the
help of each other. So, we have to control the environmental pollution.

Pollution is increasing all around the world day by day. Pollution is an emerging problem
in Nepal too especially in city areas. Many people, companies and countries have done
many things to control pollution. The air in much of china is so bad the government has
repeatedly declared "war" on it. The enemies are tiny particulates which spew forth from
countless cars, coal-fired power stations and steel plants to create dense, putty-colored
smog. Beijing recently issued its first pollution 'red alert', closing schools, factories and
construction sites, and ordering half of all private cars off the road. But these measures
were only temporary [5].

In Nepal too many events have been organized and projects have been done to control the
increasing pollution. Nepal banned vehicles older than 20 years from plying the roads of
the capital Kathmandu in a bid to control worsening air quality and to ease traffic
congestion [6]. For this hundreds of buses, trucks, pickups and taxis were not allowed to
drive.

Many devices have been developed for air pollution control. A Patent “VEHICLE DUST
COLLECTOR AND VENTILATOR- 3,284,836” was registered in USA, which used to
trap the pollution from environment. This invention relates to a novel and useful dirt and/
or dust collector and ventilator and more specifically to an open top tray-like receptacle
adapted to be supported from the floor of the driver’s compartment of a vehicle in a
position to act as a foot rest for the driver of the vehicle [7]. Dust collection systems also
play a vital role in many commercial and industrial facilities. Whether part of a system

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process, used to capture harmful pollutants from furnaces/boilers, to convey dry bulk
product or to maintain a clean and safe work environment, dust collection systems need
to function at near constant peak efficiency for facilities to operate safely and
productively.

CAMCORP Company has also developed a dust collector. CAMCORP’s pulse-jet

collectors are available in side bag access or top bag access through lift-off doors or a
walk-in clean air plenum and are available with all of the accessories. CAMCORP offers
two styles of reverse air collectors. The HVP (High Volume Pulse) collectors utilize a
rotary lobe blower as the cleaning energy to pulse the bags clean. The SWF (Sweep Arm
Filter) utilizes a high static fan to clean the bags. Both have a rotating arm within the
clean air plenum to deliver the cleaning air [8].

The objective of our project ‘Pollution Trapper’ is also air pollution control. In our
project we are going to make such machine whose mechanism is like vacuum cleaner but
it not only cleans the dust particles in the floor but also the dust particles in the air. Our
device will also display the concentration of different gases in the environment. We are
trying to develop this project in accordance with the pollution in Kathmandu valley.
Kathmandu is like a bowl. So, the dust particles are trapped inside the valley and get
circulated there. So, if we collect that dust and throw them outside the valley where there
is less chance for their circulation, pollution due to dust particles can be reduced.

2.1. Different Technology used

Different technologies have already been developed in the world for controlling air
pollution. And different methods have been applied to control pollution. The different
methods and technologies are:

2.1.1. CAMCORP’s pulse-jet

CAMCORP Company has also developed a dust collector. CAMCORP’s pulse-jet
collectors are available in side bag access or top bag access through lift-off doors or a
walk-in clean air plenum and are available with all of the accessories.

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2.1.2. VEHICLE DUST COLLECTOR AND VENTILATOR
A Patent “VEHICLE DUST COLLECTOR AND VENTILATOR- 3,284,836” was
registered in USA, which used to trap the pollution from environment. This invention
relates to a novel and useful dirt and/ or dust collector and ventilator and more
specifically to an open top tray-like receptacle adapted to be supported from the floor of
the driver’s compartment of a vehicle in a position to act as a foot rest for the driver of
the vehicle.
And many more other devices are developed and methods were used for pollution
control. Our project also focuses on developing effective pollution controller. Such
technologies are used to clean the environment and trap the exhaust gases from industries

2.2. Components
2.2.1. Dust Sensor
Dust Sensor gives a good indication of the air quality in an environment by measuring the
dust concentration. The Particulate Matter level (PM level) in the air is measured by
counting the Low Pulse Occupancy time (LPO time) in given time unit. LPO time is
proportional to PM concentration.

Figure 1: Grove dust sensor [9]

2.2.2. MQ-135 Gas Sensor

MQ-135 is a gas sensor whose sensitive material is SnO2 and has lower conductivity in
clean air. When the target combustible gas exists, the sensor’s conductivity is higher
along with the gas concentration rising. MQ-135 gas sensor has higher sensitivity to

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Ammonia, smoke and other harmful gases. It is with low cost and suitable for different
application.

Figure 2: MQ-135 [10]

2.2.3. Liquid Crystal Display

Figure 3: LCD [11]

LCD (liquid crystal display) is the technology used for displays in notebook and other
smaller computers. LCDs consume much less power than LED and gas-display displays
because they work on the principle of blocking light rather than emitting it.

2.2.4. Logic gates

A logic gate is an elementary building block of a digital circuit. Most logic gates have
two inputs and one output. At any given moment, every terminal is in one of the
two binary conditions low (0) or high (1), represented by different voltage levels. There
are seven basic logic gates: AND, OR, XOR, NOT, NAND, NOR, and XNOR.

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 Figure 4: logic gates [12]
2.2.5. DC motor
A DC motor is any of a class of rotary electrical machines that converts direct current
electrical energy into mechanical energy.

Figure 5: DC Motor [13]

2.2.6. Resistors
The resistor is a passive electrical component to create resistance in the flow of electric
current.

Figure 6: Resistor [14]

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2.2.7. Capacitor
Capacitor is an electronic component that stores electric charge. The capacitor is made of
2 close conductors (usually plates) that are separated by a dielectric material.

Figure 7: Capacitors [15]

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3. Methodology
3.1. Problem formulation
Air Pollution has become the major problem nowadays. Air pollution has high impact in
the crowded city. It directly affects the daily natural life. An extensive body of scientific
evidence shows that long- and short-term exposures to fine particle pollution, also known
as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), can cause premature death and harmful effects on the
cardiovascular system, including increased hospital admissions and emergency
department visits for heart attacks and strokes. Scientific evidence also links PM to
harmful respiratory effects, including asthma attacks [16], and our capital city ranks the
5th in pollution index in 2017 [17]. So, our project is to minimize the current problem in
the city like in the Kathmandu city.

3.2. Literature Review

The objective of our project ‘Pollution Trapper’ is also air pollution control. In our
project we are going to make such machine whose mechanism is like vacuum cleaner but
it not only cleans the dust particles in the floor but also the dust particles in the air. Our
device will also display the concentration of different gases in the environment. We are
trying to develop this project in accordance with the pollution in Kathmandu valley.
Kathmandu is like a bowl. So, the dust particles are trapped inside the valley and get
circulated there. So, if we collect that dust and throw them outside the valley where there
is less chance for their circulation, pollution due to dust particles can be reduced.

3.3. Model Development

Our project is automatic. It will run automatically when the concentration of dust
particles increases above certain level and it will suck the air and it will continue till the
amount of dust particles is less than the fixed amount.

3.4. Analysis
From this project, we will be able to control the air pollution that has been adversely
affecting the surrounding and human health. It is easier and reliable to use. It may seem
little costly while developing in a small system but viewing through the large perspective,

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it is comparatively cheap because using in large scale it is more efficient has more
benefits in cities like Kathmandu. Its disadvantage is that it can only be used in cities.

3.5. Result Verification and Demonstration

We will first try to design the circuit diagram and then verify it on Proteus software. Only
after the verification we will apply it on hardware.

3.6. Flow Diagram

Figure 8: Flow Diagram

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4. Tentative Result
From this project, we will be obtaining many more benefits. The surrounding will be less
polluted. The quality of air will upgrade. As we know from this system, we will develop
the dust collector; work will be easier and faster. No more man source is needed. Just
regulating the machine and time to time disposal of collected dust is sufficient for its
working. Considering its benefits from small perspective air pollution will reduce and it
will save people from different types of diseases that are due to air pollution. The
surrounding will be effectively clean. Also we can see the concentration of different
gases so we can take preventive measures for bad air conditions.

4.1. Tentative Beneficiary

1. Local people
2. Government
3. Industries
4. NGOs/INGOs

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5. Cost Estimation

SN COMPONENTS PRICE(NC)

1. Grove dust sensor 1100

2. LCD display 500

3. MC-135 gas sensor 700

3. DC motor 150

4. Resistors 100

5. Capacitors 150

6. Others 2000

Total
4000

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 6. Time Schedule (Gantt chart)

NOV, JAN, MAR,

SN MAY,JUN JUL,AUG SEP
DEC FEB APR
Proposal
Submission

Literature Survey

Prototype
Designing

Circuit Designing
&Testing

Product
Assembling &
PCB Designing

Final report

LEGEND

TASK
COMPLEDTED

TASK
REMAINING

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7. Conclusion
As our project traps the dust particles as well as displays the concentration of different
gases, this project can be an effective project if applied properly. Though it has some
limitations, it will help a lot in pollution control or dust control. Not only local people but
also the industries and government too will get benefited.

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References

[1] "World Health Organization," 2016. [Online]. Available:

http://www.who.int/phe/health_topics/outdoorair/databases/cities/en/.
[2] D. R. Gautam, Air Pollution: it's causes and consequencies, p. 7, 2010.
[3] "Public Health," [Online]. Available:
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/sand-dust-particulates/index.asp.
[4] P. D. Sharma, "Keeping World Environment Safer and Greener," 2009.
[5] "What is China doing to tackle its air pollution?," What is China doing to tackle its
air pollution?, p. 1, 2016.
[6] "Nepal bans old vehicles to tackle air pollution," Nepal bans old vehicles to tackle
air pollution, p. 1, 2017.
[7] "Vehicle dust collector and ventilator," /patents/US3284836, p. 1, 1966.
[8] "DSHAY AIR SYSTEMS," [Online]. Available:
http://dshayairsystems.com/manufacturers/camcorp/.
[9] "http://wiki.seeed.cc/Grove-Dust_Sensor/," SEEED. [Online].
[10] "Waveshare," [Online]. Available: https://www.waveshare.com/mq-135-gas-
sensor.htm.
[11] "Hobbytronics," [Online]. Available: http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/lcd-16-2-
backlight-blue-3v3.
[12] "Schoophysics," [Online]. Available: http://www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age14-
16/Electronics/text/Logic_gates/index.html.
[13] "Snapdeal," [Online]. Available: https://www.snapdeal.com/product/jpk-12-volt-dc-
motor/669174162108.
[14] "www.resistorguide.com," [Online]. Available: http://www.resistorguide.com/what-
is-a-resistor/.
[15] "Learning about Electronics," [Online]. Available:
http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/Types-of-capacitors.
[16] [Online]. Available: https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/air-pollution-

15
 current-and-future-challenges.
[17] [Online]. Available: https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/nepals-kathmandu-ranks-
5th-in-pollution-index-2017/.
[18] [Online]. Available: https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/air-pollution-
current-and-future-challenges.
[19] "World Health Organization," [Online]. Available:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/air-pollution-rising/en/.
[20] "DSHAY AIR SYSTEMS," [Online]. Available:
http://dshayairsystems.com/manufacturers/camcorp/.

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