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PORTABLE WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS

USING ARDUINO

PROJECT REPORT
August 25, 2014
OVERVIEW
1. Project Background and Description
The objective of our project was to build a portable device for water quality analysis
using Arduino. It involved the use of four sensors. Coloursensor , PH sensor , TDS
meter and temperature sensor . It also involved a GSM Module for network
communication and creating a Database (using MySQL) for data analytics on water
quality from different localities.

2. Shortcomings that were faced during the course of project
We intended to make this device as economic as possible.

There were certain difficulties in getting the PH and TDS sensors working. This was
mainly because we tried to obtain the values directly from a ready made sensor by
trying to bypass the IC connections to the LCD in both cases of TDS and PH meters.
The other alternative to obtain these reading is the use of PH probes which are
expensive as well as difficult to calibrate and handle hence was not a feasible solution.
PH Sensor
As the sensor was reused and removed from an older project it wasalready in a bad
condition. The wires had snapped apart and the Msealused before made it difficult to
access the terminals on the IC . We got the missing circuit connections gun soldered
after going through the circuit diagram and then tested it again. But the sensor failed to
show accurate readings even with the right code. It generates junk values at the Analog
pin of the Arduino. We made sure that there is no mistake in the circuit diagram and
code part of it.


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After several unsuccessful attempts at getting the old sensor working we felt there could
be due to a fault in the old PH meters IC. So we decided to buy a new PH sensor.
Followed the same procedure to procure the LCD readings onto the Arduinos serial
monitor using a T junction at the corresponding IC pin. The new sensor also failed to
produce any reliable reading at the analog pin of the Arduino. We tried several different
methods in order to get it working
Tried using a pull up resistor circuit to amplify the voltage signal being generated
by the sensor . The Arduino still failed to pickup any reading from the sensor
Instead of connecting the pin that was supposed to give the PH reading to the
Arduino we tried connecting it to a Digital Multimeter .

When we tried this the multimeter did show a reading when the wire from the
sensor was connected to it . But the reading on the sensor LCD itself started
varying when connected to the LCD for some reason. It no longer showed the
right value of PH atleast on the sensor. The voltage going to the LCD from the
sensor seemed to start varying when we connected it to the multimeter. This
indicates that there could be a flaw in the IC pin that was soldered in the earlier
project to obtain LCD values.

When we approached seniors regarding this, the people who had worked on it
earlier told us that they never got accurate values either and that they were not
sure what the pins from which wires were taken meant. Other seniors were
unsure of how to transfer the LCD data to the serial monitor since no information
was available regarding the IC.

We tried finding a solution from forums and literature available on the internet.
There was one method in particular that we came across but it seems to be
tedious with a lot of soldering and op amp circuits involved.
3. Alternative approach
In order to transfer the LCD reading to the Arduino Serial Monitor there are three other
methods which could work but we havent given it a try.
1. Use a Camera Module with a Raspberry Pi to take images of the LCD reading
and then use Python Scripts to perform OCR on the images procures and
then send these values to a Database .
This method would make the project expensive since there is a raspberry pi
and camera module required. Thus it would make the project uneconomical.

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2. Use PH Probes or Vernier sensors to get the PH values directly to the Arduino
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Eghttps://www.sparkfun.com/products/12872
This involves expensive probes and theyre made of glass which is very
delicate for portable use

3. Use a hack we found on a Arduino forum. This method involves a complex
circuit that translates the LCD readings into Arduino Analog values. But
practical realization of this circuit is difficult since it involves a lot of soldering
between every pin on the IC .













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4. Things we learnt from this Project
Microcontroller : Arduino Basics , Analog and Digital Input from sensors .
Sensors : Functioning of LM35 sensor , TCS230 Colour sensor. We could get the
room temperature and colour recognition using these sensors . In the process we
learnt how physical quantities are converted into analog voltages in an Arduino.
Wireless Transmission : Transmission of data from an Arduino to a mobile device
using GSM module and its working.
Database : Steps and tools(MySQL) involved in creating a database using values
from a microcontroller (logged continuosly) and maintaining it.
Need for voltage amplification from a sensor to Arduino .
The importance of patented hardware and protection of intellectual rights. The IC
architecture and IC number were both unknown for the TDS as well as PH
sensors.




















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5. Deliverables

[List agencies, stakeholders or divisions which will be impacted by this project and describe how they will be
affected by the project.]

6. Affected Parties

[List business processes or systems which will be impacted by this project and describe how they will be affected.]

7. Affected Business Processes or Systems

[Describe any specific components that are excluded from this project.]

8. Specific Exclusions from Scope

[Describe how you plan to implement the project. For example, will all parts of the project be rolled out at once or
will it be incremental? What will be included in each release?]

9. Implementation Plan

[Include recommendations that lead to your proposed solution. Summarize what youre proposing to do and how
youre going to meet the goals. Youll be able to expand on the details within the Our Proposal section.]

10. High-Level Timeline/Schedule

[Describe what the high level timeline/schedule will be to plan, design, develop and deploy the project. Generally,
by when do you expect this project to be finished?]


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APPROVAL AND AUTHORITY TO PROCEED
We approve the project as described above, and authorize the team to proceed.
Name Title Date





Approved By Date Approved By Date