Automatic water level monitoring device for open reclamation network

Abstract

Relevance . Monitoring of the level regime of an reclamation network is necessary not only for its safe operation, but also for determining the volume of water supply in measuring points equipped with water accounting facilities. The automatic monitoring of levels in an open reclamation network is the most problematic. Old irrigation systems use outdated measuring instruments, the introduction of digital technologies is limited by the high cost of equipment and the complexity of supplying electricity to remote sites. The aim of the research was to develop an automated digital complex for monitoring the water level in an open reclamation network powered by a renewable energy source and to test an experimental sample under the conditions of an existing irrigation system. Methods . When choosing structural elements and developing a program code, an analysis of operating conditions, ranges and required measurement accuracy was carried out; methods of the theory of programming logic controllers, decomposition and formalization of algorithms, structural programming were used. When testing a prototype, methods of the theory of experiment planning, mathematical statistics and the theory of errors were used. Results . An experimental sample of a digital measuring complex automatically measures air temperature, atmospheric pressure and distance to the level of the free surface of water, records it in the device's memory and/or transfers it to a remote server. The operation of the complex requires a constant voltage of 5 V, it can be powered by a solar energy and/or a battery. Tests of the automatic complex in a reservoir in the absence of a pronounced current and in a channel with a maximum flow velocity of about 2.6 m/s demonstrated satisfactory measurement accuracy.