The digesters at Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works are responsible for digesting sludge produced during sewage treatment. Routine cleaning and maintenance of the digesters' internal areas are necessary, requiring workers to enter the digesters to remove accumulated waste.
However, these internal areas are classified as confined spaces, posing significant risks due to the presence of high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide and methane. Both gases are flammable, and hydrogen sulphide is highly toxic. Therefore, it is preferable to avoid manual work inside the digesters whenever possible. Implementing a tank cleaning robot could provide a safer alternative to human workers for cleaning tasks within the digesters.
Expected Outcome
The robot should be designed to meet the specific conditions of the digesters at Hong Kong's Sewage Treatment Works. It must be explosion-proof, waterproof, corrosion resistant and compact enough to enter the digester through the manhole.
The robot should be capable of cleaning the floors and walls inside the digester. Equipped with various auxiliary tools like waste jet nozzle, suction pipe and blade, it should perform high-pressure washing and suction of waste sludge.
The robot should be able to handle diverse substances found inside the digester, including sewage, sewage sludge, food waste, fats, and fibres.
The robot should be equipped with a camera to provide real-time monitoring and record video images for documentation and analysis.
