Environmental Monitoring With a Raspberry Pi

Daniel Chen

Environmental Science - Expectation

http://www.worldwidelearn.com/hqedu/img/quidget/dtsp/math-science/1.jpg

Environmental Science - Reality

http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/galleries/2013/Review_HanSoloHothRescueBlueSWS/Review_HanSoloHothRescueBlueSWS_stillC.jpg

Field work is labor intensive

Field work is expensive

Field work is sparse

Solution - The Internet of Things [IoT]What is it?

A way to interface hardware with the Internet

What does that mean?

Connects “things” (i.e. sensors, machines, and other devices) to the Internet for remote control or monitoring

How does it impact the Environmental Field?

Remote data collection and monitoring, reduced labor costs

Use Case - BackgroundSoil Vapor Extraction System Using Activated Carbon

●Remediation system actively extracts VOCs such as BTEX from soil gas using granular activated carbon units (GAC)

●Scrubbed airstream is pushed to atmosphere●Depleted carbon does not filter volatiles well, so weekly site visits

are needed to check GAC units for “breakthrough” (depletion)

Use Case - Background

http://www.precisionenvironmentalny.com/temp/soil-vapor-extraction.html

Use Case - IdeaRemote Monitoring System

●Place remote monitor system at entry and exit points of GAC units to determine efficiency

●Monitor system periodically records sensor data to an online database, showing live data feed

●Field staff would need to visit site only when GAC units begin to exhibit breakthrough

Use Case - Idea

Use Case - Early PrototypeArduino Uno, GPRS Shield, SD Card Shield

Use Case - Current VersionRaspberry Pi, Arduino Nano

Use Case - Current VersionSpecs & Components

● Raspberry Pi B● WiFi/Ethernet Connectivity● Arduino Nano● MQ135 electrochemical gas sensor● Remote access & control with Weaved, Platform.IO, and Google Drive

Cost breakdown● $15 Electrochemical Gas Sensor● $15 Arduino● $100 Raspberry Pi & parts● $0 Google Drive

Use Case - Test Data

Use Case - ResultBenefits

● Cheap (Cost in parts < $200)● Projected Savings of $20,000/yr● Live Readings● Remote Access

Future Improvements● Expand to other applications● Improved database system● Mesh sensor network● Mobile platform

Thanks for listening!Daniel Chen

Email: quickbrownfox319@gmail.comGithub: quickbrownfox319LinkedIn: goo.gl/uB2fUK