Sensor Applications

Sensor Applications

LPG Gas Cylinder Weight Detection
Applications
GSM-based weight detection sensor has applications at homes, in restaurants, hotels and particular industries. The weight system helps to tackle the issue of LP gases completion without detection which can be a source of lag of industrial services. The device monitors weights of LPG gas cylinders so that whenever the cylinder is almost empty, an industry can request for a replacement from Gas Cylinder providers. In most cases, there are often problems in issuing cylinders due to the likelihood of shortages. The delays are because of information getting to providers at last moments when the gas is already empty. If a responsible department requests a gas refilling service when the gas is already empty, delay arises before the arrival of the new cylinder.
The SMS alert from the LPG weight detector device helps to notify gas users on the state of the cylinder and thereby resolves the issues stated above. The innovation uses the GSM technology and a load-cell as a weight sensor. The sensor (detector) is placed under the gas cylinder and the weight output fed into a microcontroller, which continuously monitors the LP gas weight. The controller obtains the exact weight of the gas by lessening the empty metal cylinder from the total weight.
When the LPG weight is exactly 20% of the entire weight, a low warning alert is sent to the house, hotel, or restaurant owner. The owner receives an SMS that indicates that the gas weight is below a 20 percent threshold. At the time the weight reaches 5%, a critical level message alert is again sent to the owner so that he or she can immediately place for another LPG gas order. The first message is a warning while the second message required an immediate action.
Trend
Many industries currently embrace the power of information technology and sensor systems. The cities and big towns use sensors for security purposes, automation of services in various industries and organizations or institutions, car parking solutions, transport sectors, as well as car tracking systems among other application areas. Currently, in most cities of the world, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder booking is directly made by sending an automated SMS to the filling offices. Only the registered numbers are used to send the messages to the booking offices. In the current trend, the owners of LPG cylinders do not need to visit the booking offices personally. Once they receive SMS alerts, the system, without dialing or calling, spontaneously send a request message to the agency. In the modern technological advancements, there are virtual networks that help to communicate a level of gas in a cylinder and give information that sends an alert to owners and place an order remotely. These applications are becoming less sophisticated because technologies undergo rapid development. Future developments would include an incorporation of a voice feedback that would communicate weights and leakages after detection. The intimation, in this case, would be through a pre-recorded voice alerts, for instance, the system would speak out messages like, “the LPG gas weight is 20 kg.”
Impact
Sensors have various roles in making life safer and better. There has been a huge impact of sensors in the field of industrial automation, transportation, healthcare, and system monitoring and control, among others. The LPG gas detector uses a sensor to detect weights and informs users. This idea has been significant in promoting the efficiency of in the hotel, restaurant, and other industrial services. In regards to economic significance, an early realization that the gas is almost over and prompt replacement keeps the operations in continuity, and cash flow is maintained without any lag. The automation and elimination of a need to visit the agents and place order eliminate the cost of travel, and time loss. The cash saved can be used to develop other areas or do any productive activities.
Sensors are significant in automation of processes. Instead of manually detecting the gas weight, which is often deceptive. The process helps to eliminate the issues of dormancy before reordering for another LPG gas. The smooth transition is necessary for work continuity, and to avoid embarrassments at homes when LPG gases abruptly exhaust. The device monitors the weight of LPG gas cylinders and alerts owners whenever the cylinders are almost empty. The technology helps in eliminating the issues of shortages and delays in replacing gas cylinders when ordered late. If a responsible department requests a gas refilling service when the gas is already empty, delay arises before the arrival of the new cylinder. These delays occur when the information gets to providers at last moments when the gas is already empty.