DYNAMIC PRESSURE MONITORING USING A WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK

Abstract

This study introduces the build out and implementation of a wireless sensor network that was used to monitor dynamic pressure of water flowing inside a pipe against leak. At 5 chosen points along a prototype water pipeline, pressure sensors (HK1100C) were used to collect pressure data and its voltage data equivalent. Five locally designed and constructed field sensor nodes made up of pressure sensors, Ardiuno boards containing an 8-bit ATmega328P microcontrollers, GSM SIM800L modules, and power sources were used to process and analyze the pressure data such that when the pressure data falls below 9psi, 9.5psi, 10psi, 10.5psi, and 11psi respectively at the 5 chosen points, the information is processed by the Ardiuno boards containing an 8-bit Atmega328P microcontrollers and then passed on to the GSM SIM800L modules of respective field sensor nodes which then transmit these information as radio waves to the master sensor node of the network that has an LCD JHD162 module and a buzzer.. The received radio waves were converted back into electrical signals by the transceiver contained in the GSM SIM800L module of the master sensor node and used to power the LCD and buzzer to indicate ‘low pressure’ and sound an alarm simultaneously. The location of the pressure drop is identified and the cause rectified by trained personnel. SIM cards of chosen GSM networks were inserted into the various GSM SIM800L modules contained in the sensor nodes (fields and master nodes) for communication. Also, an experiential evaluation of the relationship between leaks and pressure variations was carried out at one of the chosen 5 points along the prototype water pipeline.