Design and Capability Analysis of a Solar-Powered Conveyor for Water Hyacinth Removal: A Case Study at Kumphawapi Flood Gate

Water hyacinth is a fast-growing invasive plant that disrupts water management in tropical regions. This study presents the design and capability analysis of a solar-powered conveyor system for large-scale water hyacinth removal, demonstrated at the Wiang Kham Sluice Gate, Kumphawapi District, Udon Thani, Thailand. The prototype incorporates conveyor belts, picker wheels, and a photovoltaic power supply sized for off-grid operation. Motor drive requirements were calculated from friction, load, and torque data, while process capability indices (Cp) were applied to assess the stability of motor efficiency and removal rate. Experimental results indicated that a 1.5 kW motor was sufficient for both conveyor and picker wheel assemblies, maintaining efficiency above 76%. The machine achieved an average removal capacity of 60 t/h with Cp = 1.17, demonstrating acceptable yet further-optimizable process stability, suggesting potential for performance refinement through parameter adjustment. Economic analysis indicated that the proposed system has an estimated operating cost of around USD 2,700 per 58 ha per cycle, corresponding to a 3–6× cost reduction compared with conventional methods. These findings highlight the feasibility of integrating renewable energy with mechanical design for sustainable aquatic weed management.