River Debris Apparatus
Occasionally I will discover that one of my ideas has already been thought of by someone else. This does not embarass me as I only want to see the ideas utilized to help make life better. Here is an example(click here) of where a very similar apparatus to what I envisioned has been put into operation, but please read my version below as well.
River Clean-Sweep Apparatus
An apparatus consisting of:
1. a floating partition that allows river water to pass underneath while trapping and diverting all material floating on river’s surface to a strategic location,2. . a specially designed conveyor belt to lift out all trash, wood, & debris,3. a giant water wheel, powered by the rivers current, to drive the conveyor belt.
1. a floating partition that allows river water to pass underneath while trapping and diverting all material floating on river’s surface to a strategic location,2. . a specially designed conveyor belt to lift out all trash, wood, & debris,3. a giant water wheel, powered by the rivers current, to drive the conveyor belt.Rising water levels caused by heavy rains bring a deluge of floating material down our rivers, especially in the spring when materials collecting on the banks are released into the river. The majority of this material consists of logs, sticks, and plastic bottles. All three of these materials are readily recycled. By placing a floating diverter across the river at an appropriate angle, all of this material can be directed to one location where it will accumulate until removed. A water wheel placed near, yet separate from the debris, will utilize the river’s current to generate power, (which increases as the river rises). This water wheel can be used to drive a specially designed conveyor belt that is partially submerged in the area where the material is caused to accumulate. As the conveyor turns, the material is picked up and carried out of the river where it can be automatically deposited into large containers. Power generated by the water wheel could even be used to pulverize the wood into “mulch” as well. Since the flow of the river is continuous, the wheel (and therefore the conveyor) will be operating continuously.
Benefits
1No electricity or fuel is needed since the river provides all of the energy required.
No electricity or fuel is needed since the river provides all of the energy required. 2Sale of firewood, mulch, compost, and recyclable materials would help recover the initial cost of constructing the apparatus.
Sale of firewood, mulch, compost, and recyclable materials would help recover the initial cost of constructing the apparatus. 3A large water wheel would be a novelty and would attract numerous visitors to our city.
A large water wheel would be a novelty and would attract numerous visitors to our city. 4The success of such an endeavor would bring recognition and notoriety to our city as well, serving as a prototype for similar projects across the country.
The success of such an endeavor would bring recognition and notoriety to our city as well, serving as a prototype for similar projects across the country.5The river (downstream) would be much cleaner which would improve the natural beauty of the river while significantly decreasing the cost of mowing and maintaining the river banks.
The river (downstream) would be much cleaner which would improve the natural beauty of the river while significantly decreasing the cost of mowing and maintaining the river banks.6Smaller versions of this apparatus could be installed in the tributaries, blocking these materials before they reach the main river.
Smaller versions of this apparatus could be installed in the tributaries, blocking these materials before they reach the main river.7Since the diverter is floating, there is little impedance to the natural flow of the river and no significant obstruction to the fish.
Since the diverter is floating, there is little impedance to the natural flow of the river and no significant obstruction to the fish.
Here, recyclable plastic (types 1, 2, & 6) lies scattered atop more than a foot deep of various sized pieces of wood debris. {click on picture for larger view}
Click on this picture to read about another great idea about how utilizing the force of moving waters can help solve another serious problem our rivers face.
Alternative Energy:
Ideas:
This shows a typical collection point which happens to be right above the low dam near Carillon Park in Dayton. Plants in water prove that this sits here . . . until high water sweeps it away.
Click any pic to view
