Implementation of Rain Water Harvesting Through the Effectual Working of Proposed RS Model

 

¹Rajdeep Chowdhury*, ²Saikat Ghosh

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering,

Abacus Institute of Engineering and Management, Natungram, Magra-712148, West Bengal

²Student, Department of Computer Application,

Sastra University, Tirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur-613401, Tamil Nadu

 

ABSTRACT:

Rainwater harvesting is the accumulation and storage of rainwater for reuse, before it reaches the aquifer. It has been used to furnish drinking water, water for livestock, water for irrigation, as well as other typical uses given to water. Rainwater collected from the roofs of houses, tents and local institutions can make an important contribution to the availability of drinking water. It can supplement the sub soil water level and increase urban greenery.

Water collected from the ground, sometimes from areas which are especially prepared for this purpose, is called Storm water harvesting. In some cases, rainwater may be the only available or economical water source. Rainwater harvesting systems can be simple to construct from inexpensive local materials, which are potentially successful in most habitable locations. Roof rainwater can't be of good quality and may require treatment before consumption. As rainwater rushes from roof(s), it may carry pollutants in it, such as the tiniest bit of mercury from coal burning buildings to bird feces. Although some rooftop materials may produce rainwater that is harmful to human health, it can be useful in flushing toilets, washing clothes, watering the garden and washing cars. These uses invariably halve the amount of water used by a typical home. Overflow from rainwater harvesting tank systems can be used to refill aquifers in a process called groundwater recharge, though this is a related process, it must not be confused with Rainwater harvesting.

 

The proposed RS Model establishes the merits of rain water harvesting and conjures up all the nuances that lead up in furnishing an optimum solution and justifying the motto of the proposed model; “Go Green and Earn Green.”

There are a number of types of systems to harvest rainwater ranging from very simple to complex industrial systems. The rate at which water can be collected from either system is dependent on the plan area of the system, its efficiency, and the intensity of rainfall

(that is, annual precipitation (mm per annum) x square meter of catchment area = litres per annum yield).

 

Rainwater harvesting can assure an independent water supply during water restrictions, that is, somewhat dependent on end use and maintenance. Usually, it is of acceptable quality for household needs and renewable at acceptable volumes despite forecast of climate changes (CSIRO, 2003). It produces beneficial externalities by reducing peak storm water runoff and processing costs. In municipalities with combined sewer systems, reducing storm runoff is especially important, because excess runoff during heavy storms leads to the discharge of raw sewage from outfalls, when treatment plant capacity cannot handle the combined flow. Running costs are negligible, and they provide water at the point of consumption.

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Rainwater harvesting is the collection of water through scientific techniques from the areas of rainfall. [10, 11, 12] Rainwater harvesting is the best possible way to conserve water and thereby awaken the society, in general, towards the significance of water. [1, 10] Rainwater harvesting is a mechanism for overcoming the odds faced in areas where there is scarcity of water, through a simple and cost effective manner. [10, 11, 12]

 

Rainwater harvesting methodologies include primarily the following three fragments, namely; catchment, conveyance and storage. [1, 9, 10]

 

Essentially, Rainwater harvesting can be done in two ways, namely;

1. Storage of rainwater for instant use in containers above the ground or below the ground.

2. Charged into the soil for withdrawal in a later time.

 

The decision of using any of the two mechanisms depends on the rainfall pattern of the concerned area and the potential to adhere to it, in a particular area. [9] The sub-surface geology also plays a significant role in finalizing the decision. [1, 9]

 

The proposed RS Model coined after the initials of the first name(s) of the authors of the compiled paper, namely; R for Rajdeep and S for Saikat; is an effective model emphasizing an innovative mechanism, to say the least. The proposed model has been tag lined with an effective tag line “Empowering Lives.” The corresponding tag line ensures in a way that the lives of the concerned habitants can be easily empowered through the effective use of the proposed RS Model for proper Rainwater harvesting. [1, 6, 8]

 

Rainwater harvesting is the effective accumulation of rainwater for reusability, before it reaches the aquifer. [3] The acquired rainwater has been used to provide drinking water, for livestock, for irrigation, as well as other typical uses. [4, 5] Rainwater collected from the roofs of houses, tents and local institutes can ensure an important contribution to the availability of drinking water, which in a way is an essentiality. [1, 6, 7] Rainwater harvesting can easily supplement the sub soil water level and increase urban greenery, which in turn is the most essential component for human existence, in the long run. [1, 2]

 

The proposed model has been detailed for ease in understanding and also pertaining to utmost ease in practical use.

 

Significantly, the proposed model ensuring the rainwater harvesting mechanism, furnishes the following notable benefits in alliance to existing rainwater harvesting mechanisms, namely;

 

1.        It intensifies water security.

2.        It aids in improving the quality of ground water.

3.        It intensifies the level of the ground level.

4.        It aids in improving the overall floral system.

5.        It diminishes the loss of top layer of the soil.

6.        It reduces water crisis.

7.        It reduces the chances of road flooding, thereby preventing from contamination.

8.        It diminishes chances of floods on regional scale.

 

WORKING AND IMPLEMENTATION – PROPOSED RS MODEL:

 

Figure – 1: Proposed RS Model

 

The proposed RS Model establishes comprehensively the positives of rain water harvesting and conjures up the very basic nuances that lead up in furnishing an effective and an optimum solution, thereby justifying the motto of the proposed model; “Empowering Lives” and also the motto of the proposed work-in-hand; “Go Green and Earn Green.”

There are a number of types of systems that harvest rainwater, ranging from simple to complex industrial systems, which needs to be taken into account. The rate at which water can be collected from any system is entirely dependent on the plan area of the system, its efficiency and the intensity of rainfall.

 

The innovative model would provide a cutting edge for the users, amidst lots of turmoil and indispensible predicaments at bay.

 

The proposed RS Model could be fragmented into the following components that conjure up in its ultimate composition, namely;

1)       Harvester Tank.

2)       Accumulator.

3)       High Output Turbine.

4)       Step Up Transformer.

5)       Connecting Wires.

6)       Power Storage Systems.

7)       Water Pump.

8)       Water Sprinkler.

9)       Pipes.

10)    Valve.

 

 

Figure – 2: Flow Diagram for Rain Water Harvesting

 

Working Principle Algorithm

Step 1: Rain water is harvested in an elevated tank, with an outlet for the harvested water to be taken out for consumption.

Step 2: The harvested rain water is made to flow through a pipe at high pressure, on to an Accumulator.

Step 3: The Accumulator is fitted to a high output turbine that can produce electricity from the water flow of the Harvester.

Step 4: The produced electricity is then sent to a miniature step up Transformer that steps up the generated emf value to 220V.

Step 5: The stepped up current is then rectified to a D.C pulse and stored in batteries in a Power Store.

Step 6: This power source is then utilized by farmers for running their irrigation pump sets.

Step 7: The valve is then opened to the pump’s end for the pump to sprinkle water on to the fields for helping in irrigation.

 

Benefits of Proposed RS Model

The major benefits of the proposed system are of great economic and environmental significance, which are noted as follows:

1.        Completely pollution free process, where pumps are run on electricity engendered form, a non polluting source in place, using any kind of fossil fuel, for any of the above processes.

2.        The proposed system is designed to completely adhere to the norms of the Global Warming Act.

3.        Use of plastic has been removed completely, since PVC pipes are prone to overheating during extreme hot climatic conditions. Use of cemented harvester tanks is always a prime target.

4.        Water crisis for irrigation will be reduced drastically in areas of good rainfall.

5.        Fuel costs would be saved completely to enable farmers improve their mode of life and business, to say the least.

6.        No separate electricity connection is required for the said purpose.

 

Budgetary Comparative Analysis

 

Present Costing: (Based on average prices. Prices may vary depending on various aspects.)

Cost of Pump                        =              Rs.   8,000                                                              Cost of Pump              =        Rs.   8,000

Cost of Generator                 =              Rs. 30,000                                                              Cost of Battery            =       Rs. 10,000

Cost of Piping       =             Rs.   3,000                                                              Cost of Piping              =      Rs.   3,000

Cost of Fuel          =              Rs.   1,000 (*monthly)                                          Cost of Transformer     =     Rs. 10,000

Total Setup cost    =            Rs.  42,000                                                             Total Setup cost           =     Rs. 31,000

                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Budgetary Comparative Analysis furnishes the consumers with the distinctive distinguishing factor that the model creates. The proposed model creates a difference of Rs.11, 000 in terms of setup cost, along with nearly a monthly savings of Rs.1, 000 for fuel cost.

 

Implementation Area

The west coastal lowlands, the Western Ghats and the southern parts of Assam have the climate type for this sort of implementation. It is characterized by high temperatures throughout the year, even in the hills. The rainfall here is seasonal, but heavy, and is above 78 in a year. Most of the rain is received in the period from May to November and is adequate for the growth of vegetation during the entire year. December to March is the dry month period with very little rainfall. The heavy rain is responsible for the tropical wet forests in these regions, which consists of a large number of species of animals. Evergreen forests are the typical feature of the region. Most of the plateau of peninsular India enjoys this climate, except a semi-arid tract to the east of the Western Ghats.

 

Winter and early summer are long dry periods with temperature above 18°C. Summer is very hot and the temperatures in the interior low level areas can go above 45°C during May. The rainy season is from June to September and the annual rainfall is between 75 cm and 150 cm. Only central eastern Tamil Nadu falls under this tract and receives rainfall during the winter months of late November to January.

 

Meghalaya, meaning "Land of the Clouds" is one of the seven sister states of the north eastern region of India. The economy depends on agriculture, with 83% of the 2.3 million populations depending upon it for their livelihood. The main languages spoken are Khasi, Garo and English. The capital city is Shillong or Lei Shillong. The society is matrilineal, where wealth and property are passed down to the women of the family, rather than to the men. The climate over here is cool throughout the year. Such areas can be wonderful sites for implementing the proposed system for receiving the maximum benefit out of it.

 

 

CONCLUSION:

The proposed system is designed to meet both the pocket and the environment. It is completely pollution free thus making the design completely safe to implement at farming sites, since pollution sources (if any) near the site may decrease the apparent quality of the production. Economically the process is very sound, as it completely saves the money that the farmer would have spent on fuel for the pumps that he uses in the field. The system is not very expensive to set up. Hence, farmers can easily form a trustee among themselves and implement it or the Government or any NGO may take the initiative to implement such a system.

 

The motto of the proposed model “Empowering Lives” and the motto of the proposed paper/work-in-hand “Go Green and Earn Green” are conserved through the practical application of the proposed system, for development of the said mechanism.

 

The culmination of the proposed model ensures an innovative aid for people in rural as well as urban areas, with such climate to contain and sustain with.

 

REFERENCES:

[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainwater_harvesting

[2] www.rainwaterharvesting.org/urban/Components.htm

[3] www.rainwaterharvesting.org/methods/methods.htm

[4] www.tn.gov.in/dtp/rainwater.htm

[5] mppcb.nic.in/RWH.htm

[6] www.aboutrainwaterharvesting.com/rwh_methods.htm

[7] www.rain-barrel.net/rainwater-harvesting-india.html

[8] www.rainwaterharvesting.org/whatiswh.htm

[9] www.rainwaterharvesting.org/urban/Howtoharvest.htm

[10] www.ecoindia.com/education/rainwater-harvesting.html

[11] Kumar, M., D., Ghosh, S., Patel, A., Singh, O., P., Ravindranath, R., “Rain Water Harvesting in India: Some Critical Issues for Basin Planning and Research”, Land Use and Water Resources Research, Volume–6, 2006, pp. 1–17

[12] “Rain Water Harvesting and Utilization”, An Environmentally Sound Approach for Sustainable Urban Water Management: An Introductory Guide for Decision–Makers

 

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