Project Description
This is a personal project that involved the development of an IoT system designed to automate the switching on and off of a water pump for home owners. The primary goal of this project was to promote energy and water conservation. By implementing this system, home owners can effectively manage their water usage and reduce unnecessary energy consumption. The IoT technology enables the water levels to be monitored remotely, allowing users to conveniently turn it on or off based on their needs. This innovative solution not only provides convenience but also contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Tools Used:
Problem Statement
There is a significant challenge concerning water and energy conservation, particularly in the context of overhead tanks. Numerous homeowners are experiencing electricity and water wastage due to ineffective monitoring of water levels in their tanks. There is a common issue of inefficient pumping practices, including pumping when tanks are already empty or waiting for overflow, resulting in unnecessary wastage. The lack of awareness on proper monitoring techniques leads some individuals to resort to intuitive but inefficient methods, such as frequently switching the pump on and off.
Consequently, the manual process of checking water levels is laborious, often requiring the use of ladders, posing safety risks for residents. This widespread problem not only results in substantial water losses during spillages but also leads to inconveniences when tanks run out of water. Consequently, there is a pressing need for an effective water level tracking system to address these issues and promote sustainable water and energy practices within the community.
Objectives
To indicate water level in tanks via SMS
To automatically turn the pump on and off
To allow real time tracking of the water pumping process
Interviews
Desktop Research
Survey
Persona
Research Methods
In my research, I extensively reviewed previous academic works and examined the solutions proposed by previous scholars. Additionally, I conducted interviews and administered questionnaires to homeowners in order to gain a better understanding of the problem at hand. Based on the information gathered, I developed a main persona to represent the target audience and used this as a foundation to devise a solution.
Solution
The proposed solution suggests having two stations for the farmer's convenience. One station would be located locally on the farm, allowing the farmer to physically manipulate it. This local station would provide a hands-on approach for the farmer to control and manage various tasks related to the farm. On the other hand, the second station would be a remote station accessible through the web or a phone application. This remote station would enable the farmer to manipulate and control farm operations from a distance, providing convenience and flexibility. With this setup, the farmer could efficiently manage the farm both on-site and remotely, ensuring optimal productivity and convenience.
Design Methods
The proposed solution led to a comprehensive requirements analysis for the system, followed by the creation of system design elements such as use case models, flow of events, sequence flow models, and more. These steps were taken to provide clear guidance for the systematic development of the system. A lot of iteration was involved throughout the process.
Outcomes
In this water management system, a water reservoir positioned at the bottom is equipped with a pump to lift water to a topmost tank. A 2-channel relay, serving as a contact breaker between an Arduino and the pump, is employed to initiate pump activation or deactivation based on water levels. When the liquid level falls below 20%, the Arduino triggers the relay to switch on the pump and sends a GSM message alerting users that the water level is below 20%. An ultrasonic sensor within the topmost tank continually communicates the liquid level to the Arduino in percentage and is also displayed on the serial monitor. Conversely, when the water level surpasses 80%, the Arduino instructs the relay to turn off the pump and sends a message through GSM notifying the user that the pumping process has ended. Additionally, a 16*2 LCD display linked to the Arduino visually displays the current water percentage in the tank, providing a comprehensive monitoring solution for water levels. It should be noted thatvduring the pumping process, the GSM alerts the user when the pumping reaches 50%, and users can inquire about the water level at any time by sending the word "Status."
Learnings
In this project a contactless, easy to use ultrasonic and GSM based water level monitoring system was presented. The system took advantage of the reflective property of ultrasonic waves as well as the long distance the ultrasonic waves covers. The system was successfully designed and implemented. The system notified the user of the water level whenever it was prompted. During the pumping process it notified the user at the beginning of the pumping process, when the water level was halfway and when the tank was full.
Recommendations
Recommendations include incorporating the HC-05 Bluetooth module to enable wireless transmission of readings from the ultrasonic sensor. Additionally, integrating the system with solar power is suggested to enhance energy efficiency and reduce electricity consumption.