Design And Construction Of A Water Turbidity Tester

Electrical Electronics Engineering

The design and construction of a water turbidity tester involve the development of a device capable of accurately measuring the cloudiness or haziness of a liquid due to suspended particles. This process typically entails selecting appropriate sensors, such as photodiodes or phototransistors, to detect light scattered or absorbed by particles in the water. These sensors are integrated into a housing along with a light source, often an LED, to illuminate the water sample. The interaction between the light source and the suspended particles is then analyzed to determine turbidity levels. Calibration procedures are crucial to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the device across different water conditions. Additionally, considerations for portability, durability, and cost-effectiveness are essential for practical applications in various settings, including environmental monitoring, drinking water quality assessment, and industrial processes. Through meticulous design and construction, a water turbidity tester can provide valuable insights into water clarity, aiding in pollution control, water treatment optimization, and resource management efforts.

ABSTRACT

Along with the increasing use of water by the community, the quality of water needs to be considered, especially for human consumption Water quality is determined based on the value of turbidity of water. The main aim of this work is to build a turbidity tester. This project develops an Arduino Uno-based water turbidity monitoring system, which is aimed to measure water level and water turbidity levels. The turbidity sensor consists of a photodiode and infrared LED. Measurements of water turbidity using principles of light scattering in the water. The turbidity sensor to detect the intensity of light passing through the scattering of particles and the results of the analog signal voltage. The signal entering Arduino Uno of the ultrasonic sensor and the turbidity sensor will be processed. The measurement results is converted to NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) and liter, then are shown on the LCD display 2×16. This system can potentially help in monitoring water tanks and it is hoped that water quality monitoring system can be applied online.

Cover page

Certification

iii. Dedication

Ackwonledgement
Abstract:

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study
Problem Statement
Hypothesis/Research Questions
Objective of Study
Significance of Study
Scope of Study
Limitations of Study
Definitions of terms

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Review of Related works

2.2 Contribution to Knowledge

2.3 Proposed system’s Theories

2.4 Expected Results from Hardware &Software

CHAPTER THREE

DESIGN METHODOLOGY

3.1 Material Parts List

3.2Hardware Design Methods

3.3 Software Design Methods

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS/ANALYSIS

4.1 Testing of Hardware and software

4.2 Hardware Result/analysis

4.3 Software result/analysis

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY,CONCLUSION AND RECONMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendation

References

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Turbidity is caused by a huge number of small particles that are suspended in water and invisible to the human eye. While bigger particles are settling down rapidly, small particles – also known as colloids – are settling down very slowly or not at all.

Turbidity in rivers or lakes is often caused by human activities like construction, mining and agriculture. Storm water runoff after a rainfall can wash up sediments from urbanized areas, industries and farmland.

Turbidity is one of the parameters in determining water quality. Turbidity is caused by organic materials and inorganic particles that are suspended in the water [Anderson, 2015]. High water turbidity levels can cause health problems if the water is continually consumed. Water turbidity standards are set between 5-25 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit) [Ankcorn, 2013].

Water-treatment plant station as a provider of clean water in Indonesia needs to pay attention to water quality that will be distributed to society [Coduto et al, 2010]. Monitoring of water turbidity is required in the water treatment process to ensure water quality, so that water is suitable for use in subsequent processes [Elliot et al, 2019].

The research aim to design a prototype system of monitoring the level of water turbidity. Water turbidity is measured based on the principles of light scattering [Elliot et al, 2019]. Water that has a high turbidity levels will be added chemicals to assist in the deposition of particles in water [Faucette et al, 2015].

Turbidity sensors are designed by using components a photodiode as detector and infrared led as light sources. This system is controlled using Arduino Uno microcontroller. The measurement results of the turbidity sensor in the form of ADC value is converted to units of NTU and is shown on the LCD display 2×16.

Problem Statement

Water turbidity is an important factor for maintaining the clearness of water in different places such as ponds and lakes. It is also required for monitoring water sewage treatment systems, washing machines, aquariums and in many more equipment. But there are less instruments that measure turbidity and are quite expensive as well. All this makes it a challenge to measure turbidity. However to overcome this problem, a low cost turbidity tester whose readings are displayed on a LED screen was built.

Hypothesis/Research Questions

Hypothesis

H₁: There is a significant interface between turbidity sensor and arduino

Research Questions

At the end of this work the student involved shall be able to answer these questions:

What is the operating principle of turbidity tester?
What is the output unit of this turbidity tester?

What is the importance of turbidity tester?
- Objective of Study

Turbidity plays an important role in liquid dynamics and is also used to measure water quality. The main aim of this work is to build a water turbidity tester. The objectives of the work are:

To build a turbidity tester
To measure water water quality

To interface LCD, RGB sensor, and turbidity sensor with Arduino Uno microcontroller.
Significance of Study

It is very important to measure the turbidity of domestic water supplies, as these supplies often undergo some type of water treatment which can be affected by turbidity. For example, during the rainy season when mud and silt are washed into rivers and streams, high turbidity can quickly block filters and stop them from working effectively. High turbidity will also fill tanks and pipes with mud and silt, and can damage valves and taps. Where chlorination of water is practised, even quite low turbidity will prevent the chlorine killing the germs in the water efficiently.

Measuring the turbidity of the water before and after each part of the system can tell the operator where maintenance or cleaning is needed.

Scope of Study

The scope of this work focused on building a water turbidity tester. This system is controlled using Arduino Uno microcontroller. The measurement results of the turbidity sensor in the form of ADC value is converted to units of NTU and is shown on the LCD display 2×16. The turbidity unit is measured in NTU “Nephelometric Turbidity Units” which is global standard. The larger the turbidity is, the cloudy of the sample is. Turbidity sensor connects to the microcontroller through an analog to digital converter through this A to D converter.

Limitations of Study

As we all know that no human effort to achieve a set of goals goes without difficulties, certain constraints were noticed in the course of carrying out this project and they are as follows:-

high cost
need power supply (mains or battery)

easily damaged
- Definitions of terms

Turbidity: is the amount of cloudiness in the water.

Sensor: is a device that measures physical input from its environment and converts it into data that can be interpreted by either a human or a machine.

Tester: this is an instrument used for testing