Abstract

The use of tubewell irrigation has made it possible to increase crop productivity. While installing and using of tubewells cause many accidents to occur every year. Such accidents are reported by media in the rainy season. The purpose of this study was to develop a gas sucking machine for minimizing such fatalities. 30 tubewell pits were selected for the study, where such accidents happened. It was found that the depth and diameter of tubewell pits were in the range of 4.5 to 7.4 m and 1.2 to 2.2 m respectively. A portable gas analyzer was used to measure the concentration of CO₂ and CO. The acute concentration of CO₂ gas was found in the tubewell 2.4 to 3.6 m below the ground surface. The poisonous gas sucking machine was developed for complete removal of poisonous gases present in the tubewell.  The developed machine was evaluated at selected tubewell pits, operated at five different tractor power take off (PTO) speeds. Volume flow rate, power requirement and time taken for complete removal of harmful gases were recorded.

Key words: Tube well safety, poisonous gas removal, gas sucking machine.