Mobile Hazardous Gas Detection in Confined Spaces Using Arduino (old)

Introduction:

Gas leaks in petroleum refineries pose significant risks, including explosions, fires, and
toxic exposure. These leaks can harm human health, damage the environment, and
disrupt operations. To address these challenges, we developed a mobile robot powered
by Arduino technology, capable of detecting hazardous gases in confined spaces,
ensuring safety and environmental sustainability.
Features:

 Compact Design: The robot operates in confined spaces (15 cm x 30 cm)

commonly found in petroleum facilities.
 Advanced Sensors: Equipped with an MQ-135 gas sensor, it can detect gases
like carbon monoxide (CO), ammonia (NH₃), and volatile organic compounds
(VOCs).
 Real-Time Monitoring: Displays gas concentration data on an LCD screen and
triggers an alarm via a buzzer upon detecting dangerous levels.
 Mobility Control: Controlled via a Bluetooth module (HC-05) using a mobile
app.
 Autonomous Detection: Scans the environment continuously for gas leaks.

System Components:

 Power Supply: A 9V battery powers the system.

 Microcontroller: Arduino Uno for processing sensor data and controlling the
robot’s movement.
 Outputs: Includes an LCD for gas level display, a buzzer for alerts, and LEDs for
status indication.
 Mobility: Operates using DC motors managed by an L298 motor controller.

Benefits:

1. Enhanced Safety: Early detection of hazardous gases prevents accidents.

2. Cost-Effectiveness: Portable and affordable compared to fixed monitoring
systems.
3. Environmentally Friendly: Minimizes pollution by detecting leaks promptly.
Limitations:

 Sensor Range: Bluetooth control is limited to 10 meters.

 Environmental Interference: Accuracy may vary due to temperature, humidity,

and obstacles.
 Calibration Needs: Sensors require regular calibration for reliable results.

Future Enhancements:

 Wi-Fi Integration: Expanding control range and enabling remote monitoring.

 Autonomous Navigation: Incorporating line-following or obstacle-avoidance

systems.
 Advanced Sensors: Developing multi-gas sensors with AI-powered data
analysis.
Conclusion:

This mobile gas detection robot offers a proactive solution for hazardous environments,
combining safety, efficiency, and innovation. It demonstrates the potential of Arduino in
industrial applications, making workplaces safer and more sustainable.
Mobile Hazardous Gas Detection in Confined Spaces Using Arduino

Introduction:

Gas leaks in petroleum refineries are dangerous to health, safety, and the environment.
Gases like Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S), Methane (CH₂), and Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs) can cause fires, explosions, and toxic exposure, while
contributing to air pollution and soil contamination. Our project, a mobile gas detection
car built using Arduino Uno, is designed to monitor and detect such gases in confined
spaces efficiently and sustainably.

Key Features:

 Gases Detected:

o Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S): A highly toxic gas known as the "silent killer."

o Methane (CH₂): Highly flammable and dangerous in confined spaces.

o Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Harmful to health and linked to
environmental degradation.
 Sustainability: The mobile robot provides a cost-effective solution that reduces
manual inspection risks, promotes early detection, and minimizes environmental
harm.
 Efficiency: Leveraging the versatile Arduino Uno, the system integrates a gas
sensor (MQ-135), Bluetooth module, and LCD display to create a real-time,
portable monitoring device. The robot also runs on a 9V battery, emphasizing
energy efficiency.
 Development Time: The car was developed in approximately 3 months, from
initial planning to the final prototype.

Collaborative Effort:

This project highlights the collaboration between the Engineering and IT

Departments, demonstrating the power of interdisciplinary teamwork. By combining
expertise in electronics, programming, and system design, the project underscores how
partnerships between fields can create innovative, real-world solutions.

 Significance for the Future:

 o Encourages more interdisciplinary research and development.

o Paves the way for efficient, technology-driven solutions in industrial safety

and environmental protection.

Roles and Contributions:

 Engineering Students:

o Mechanical Design: Developed the structure of the mobile robot and

ensured it could navigate confined spaces.
o Electrical System Integration: Assembled components like motors,
motor drivers, and the power supply to enable movement and reliable
operation.
o Sensor Deployment: Configured the MQ-135 gas sensor to detect and
measure hazardous gases.
 IT Students:

o Programming: Coded the Arduino Uno to process sensor data, control

motor functions, and communicate with the Bluetooth module.
o App Development: Designed a mobile app to control the robot and
receive data from the system.
o Data Visualization: Configured the LCD display for real-time gas readings
and alerts.

Conclusion:

This project showcases how engineering and IT expertise can come together to address
critical challenges. By creating an efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective gas
detection car, it lays the groundwork for future innovations in industrial safety and
environmental monitoring. It also inspires a future where cross-disciplinary collaboration
can transform ideas into impactful solutions.
This code is for controlling a robotic car using an Arduino. The code used is C++. It takes
commands from a serial input (like from a computer or smartphone) to move the robot
forward, backward, left, or right. Additionally, it uses sensors to detect certain conditions
and interacts with an LCD screen and a buzzer for feedback.

Let’s break it down part by part:

1. Libraries and Setup

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

 This line includes the LiquidCrystal library, which is used to control an LCD display.
LiquidCrystal lcd(RS, EN, D4, D5, D6, D7);

 This initializes the LCD display, telling the Arduino which pins are connected to the display.

2. Pin Assignments
int IN1=A5; int IN2=A4; int IN3=A3; int IN4=A2;

int EN1=9; int EN2=10;

 These lines define the pins that control the motors of the robot. The pins IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4
are connected to the motor driver (which controls the motors), and EN1 and EN2 control the
speed of the motors using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation).

const int buzzer = 8;

const int yellowPin = 13;

 The buzzer is connected to pin 8, and yellowPin (pin 13) is likely used for a visual indicator
(like a LED).

const int RS = 11, EN = 12, D4 = 2, D5 = 3, D6 = 4, D7 = 5;

 These are the pins connected to the LCD screen.

3. Functions

There are several functions in the code that control different aspects of the robot:

 Movement Functions:
o forward(), reverse(), left(), right(): These functions control the direction of the robot.
They manipulate the IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4 pins to make the motors run in different
directions (forward, backward, left, or right) and control the motor speed using EN1
and EN2.

 Buzzer Function:
o buzz(): This function makes the buzzer sound at 3000 Hz for 100 milliseconds, then
stops for 100 milliseconds. It’s used to give sound feedback when a condition is met
(e.g., the sensor value is high).

4. Main Program (setup and loop)

  setup():

o Initializes serial communication at 9600 baud (for communication with a computer or

other device).
o Sets the pins connected to the motors as outputs, and the pin for the sensor as an
input.

o Initializes the LCD display with a 16x2 character grid.

 loop():

o Continuously checks for input from the serial port (e.g., commands sent from a
computer or phone).
o When certain characters (F, B, R, L) are received, the robot moves in the
corresponding direction (forward, backward, right, or left).

o It also reads the sensor value from pin 0 (which could be a distance sensor or some
other sensor).

o If the sensor value is greater than 400, it lights up the yellow LED (yellowPin) and
triggers the buzzer to give feedback. The LCD screen displays the current sensor
value.

o It includes a small delay (delay(90)) to slow down the loop.

5. Sensor Interaction

sensorValue = analogRead(0);

if (sensorValue > 400)

digitalWrite(13, HIGH);

buzz();

}
else

digitalWrite(13, LOW);

 The robot continuously reads the sensor value from an analog sensor connected to pin 0. If
the sensor value is higher than 400, it activates a yellow LED (pin 13) and triggers the
buzzer. Otherwise, the LED turns off.
Summary of Operation:

 The robot responds to commands from the serial interface:

o 'F': Move forward.

o 'B': Move backward.

o 'L': Turn left.

o 'R': Turn right.

 It checks the value of a sensor, and if it exceeds a certain threshold (400), it activates a
buzzer and a yellow LED for feedback.
 The LCD displays the sensor value.

This code is essentially controlling a robot with a basic sensor, a buzzer for sound feedback, and
an LCD for displaying sensor data. The movement of the robot is controlled by serial input
commands.