LoRaWAN stands for Long Range Wide Area Network: an energy-saving network communication protocol for wireless applications (in particular IoT). With data rates of max. 50 kbit/s, this technology is designed for comparatively simple data, such as measured values from sensors (in contrast to, for instance, an HD video stream). LoRaWAN has a range of several kilometres and also penetrates buildings.
There are several wireless IoT* systems like LoRaWAN and Sigfox. Among LoRaWAN, Loriot and The Things Network (TTN) are the most known ones.
The big advantage of TTN is that one can easily create local coverage by installing a TTN compatible gateway and connect it to the internet.
A typical local LoRa network consists of 3 basic elements.
Data can be viewed in KELLER’s KOLIBRI Cloud Web app, offering you lots of more features than just viewing data.
Among these features are export and printing of data, converting data to other units or even tank content calculations, to name just a few.
Installation
Water / Wastewater 59 Thus, the system proved itself already after a day.
The system might be extended with a KELLER Series 26X digital level sensor for the borehole to have an insight in the basic water stock.
*Internet of Things: the virtual networking of objects, with the aim of improving the way that they work with each other and with humans. Information from sensors, actuators, software and human inputs is provided to the network and can be used to improve the detected situation. Applications for smart factories/ smart homes and Industry 4.0 are examples of applications that rely on IoT networks of this sort.
Kololo’s Electricity System
Kololo is connected to an electricity network, but it can happen that power fails. To have a backup at those moments Kololo has a diesel electricity generator.
Testing LoRa reception at the measurement spot
STEP 1 Install the LoRa gateway in the offi ce of the technical manager, and to register it at TTN (The Things Network).
KELLER LoRa scheme
1. A (digital) sensor or gauge 2. A LoRa transmitter which transmits the measurements
3. A LoRa gateway, the receiver, which is connected to the internet by ethernet or Wifi , and forwards the measurements to KELLER’s KOLIBRI Cloud.
In the case of Kololo, the LoRa gateway is a Laird Sentrius gateway, and the LoRa transmitters are KELLER’s own ADT1 LoRa Modem. To this ADT1 a KELLER Series 36XW digital level sensor is connected, measuring pressure (= water level) and temperature.
The ADT1 is retrieving the level from the level sensor and transmits the data, together with barometric pressure and air temperature, to the LoRa gateway. Finally the LoRa gateway forwards all the data via the internet to KELLER’s KOLIBRI Cloud where data is stored.
STEP 2 Detecting LoRa reception at the measuring spot to see if the KELLER ADT1 LoRa modem could connect properly to the LoRa gateway. When the gateway and the ADT1 connect well, it is assured that data from the level sensor will fi nd its way to the internet and fi nally to KELLER’s KOLIBRI Cloud.
STEP 3 Set up the ADT1 to register and connect it to the TTN network
STEP 4 Connecting the level sensor PAA-36XW to the ADT1 LoRa modem and install it in or on top of the tank.
Installation and setup took a while as fi nding the right transmitting power, without over powering, had to be done precisely. It’s not an area where you easily go back to change batteries for example. After installation and setup the system started measuring every hour.
Next day fi rst measurements were visible with a down sloping chart. Inspection of the difference between 2 measurements during the night, showed a difference of approx. 100 liters per hour.
A leakage was the only possible cause. At the bottom of the
It can happen that supply tanks are not cleaned properly and water gets into the diesel tank during refi lling. Theft of diesel might occur as well and to mask the theft, the taken amount of diesel is sometimes compensated with water. For a diesel generator this can be a catastrophe. Water in an engine will cause big damage with high repair costs.
As a LoRa system cannot measure faster than once per 15 minutes, detecting a change of the diesel level with just a level sensor might not always work if the level is compensated with water to the old level within 15 minutes.
However, based on conductivity one can detect a change in the mixture. Water is heavier than diesel, and water has a different conductivity than diesel. The change in conductivity therefore represents the presence of water in the diesel tank.
The KELLER Series 36XiW-CTD is a digital combined level and conductivity sensor. With this sensor we can detect changes in level and conductivity, thus detect presence of water in the diesel.
Conclusion
Series 36XiW-CTD
A level measurement system, gives actual data about fl uid levels. When readout wirelessly and data stored in a database, a data history is built up, giving enormous statistical insight in consumption and/or malfunctioning which was unknown before. Thus, it can lead to great savings or prevention of unnecessary repairs and non-revenue problems. This system can be applied in all fl uid level measurements across a variety of industries. Game reserves, boreholes, agriculture, petrochem and many more. Every KELLER sensor with a digital output (RS485 or SDI12) can be applied in IoT applications.
Author Contact Details Martijn Smit, Commercial Director,
KELLER Meettechniek B.V.
• Email:
info@keller-druck.com • Web:
keller-pressure.com
Installing the level sensor and LoRa modem
tanks the leakage was found: one of the pipe threads was partly pulled out of junction.
Martijn Smit is the commercial director of the KELLER subsidiary Netherlands, and responsible for Netherlands, Belgium and Southern Africa. He is familiar with the whole KELLER product range and a specialist regarding KELLER water solutions. Martijn is with KELLER since 1997.
Used Equipment / Software
WWW.ENVIROTECH-ONLINE.COM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
