The capstone project proposes a scaled model of a flood control system as an alternative to current storm drain systems. The system uses float sensors and electric pumps to divert floodwater from catch basins to a steam-powered flash turbine generator. This generates electricity from the floodwater and prevents backups in the drain system. A smaller version for residential use is also proposed, using a drain system around a property to power pumps and make the system self-sufficient during storms. A block diagram outlines the main components, including float sensors, pumps, a steam engine, generator, and control console to monitor voltage production.

1. ET2799 Electrical Engineering Tech. Capstone Project 6/19/2015
Flood Control System
Capstone Project
ITT Technical Institute
By: Antoine Belot, Albert Stevenson & Jermaine Williamson

2. ET2799 Electrical Engineering Tech. Capstone Project 6/19/2015
Flood Control System
The Idea:
We as a team will be building a scaled model with street view and the underground view of a
flood control system. The concept of our project is to demonstrate an alternative to the current
storm drain system. We will demonstrate through the use of float sensors, Electric pumps,
Relays, Arduino Mega microcontroller, LCD display, Control console, Voltage sensor, Rocker
switches, LED’s and an electrically heated model steam engine together with a voltage
generator, will show how our system works.
How it works:
In theory the flood control system that we are designing works as follows, when it rains heavily
the Catch basin will collect the rain water, when the right condition is met, that is when the float
sensors are activated by the level of the water. The sump pump for that catch basin will be
activated. The water will be sent to the main branch, the main branch is linked to a steam
powered flash turbine generator. The water from the catch basin will run the steam powered
generator. In essence the reason that floods exist is that the storm drains can’t handle the load
because the ground is saturated due to the backup of the system. With this system the rain water
is diverted to the steam power plant and the water is then turned to electric energy. The system
will not back up since the water will be turned into steam and the benefits are one the steam will
be turned into electric energy, no backup of drain system, energy produced can be redirected to
keep the power plant running and any extra energy can be put into the grid.
This system can also be used on a smaller scale. The system can be installed for
residential purposes. Through the use of a drain system around a residency, which consists of

3. ET2799 Electrical Engineering Tech. Capstone Project 6/19/2015
catch basins, pipes, pumps, float sensors, microcontroller, control console, and flash steam
powered turbine can be either installed in new construction or existing construction. The benefits
for this system are that the steam only needs external power at the initial stage. After the initial
stage is completed a switch will connect all the equipment to the energy from the turbine itself.
This makes this system self-sufficient in a storm situation.
Block Diagram:
Note: The Generator will have a voltage sensor in order to display on the control console the
amount of voltage being produced by the turbine. This will be achieved through serial
communication from the microcontroller to the LCD display.
Float Sensors Microcontroller Control Console
Sump pumpsFlash Steam
Engine Generator

4. ET2799 Electrical Engineering Tech. Capstone Project 6/19/2015
Current Storm drains system:

5. ET2799 Electrical Engineering Tech. Capstone Project 6/19/2015
Statistics on Flood damage in US

6. ET2799 Electrical Engineering Tech. Capstone Project 6/19/2015
The Equipment:

7. ET2799 Electrical Engineering Tech. Capstone Project 6/19/2015

8. ET2799 Electrical Engineering Tech. Capstone Project 6/19/2015

9. ET2799 Electrical Engineering Tech. Capstone Project 6/19/2015
Physical elements:
Catch Basin Sump pump
Pipe line
Steam Engine turbine