Construction Of A Gas Leakage Detector Alarm Using Microcontroller

LPG gas is commonly used in our home for cooking purpose. LPG is used in school and college canteens; also it is used in various industries. Accidents never happen with a prior intimation. There are chances of gas leakage due to some negligence. In such cases, if leakage is not detected at an early stage, then it can create huge damage. PIC microcontroller based LPG gas leakage detector mini project can be used in such situations. This LPG leakage detector is implemented using a PIC18F microcontroller. Subsequently, the signal from the sensor is fed to an 8-bit PIC16F84 microcontroller on- board system via appropriate interfacing devices, which will run on pre-programmed instructions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE

• INTRODUCTION
  • BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
  • PROBLEM STATEMENT
  • AIM/ OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
  • PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
  • SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
  • SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
  • APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT
  • PROJECT MOTIVATION
  • LIMITATION OF THE PROJECT
  • PROJECT ORGANISATION

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0      LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1     OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY

2.2     HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

2.3     DIFFERENT TYPE OF GAS DETECTOR

CHAPTER THREE

DESIGN METHODOLOGY

3.0      METHODOLOGY

3.1     SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM

3.2     SYSTEM CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

3.3     SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

3.4     SYSTEM OPERATION

3.5   CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION

3.6      CODE FOR MQ-6 GAS SENSOR INTERFACING WITH PIC MICROCONTROLLER

3.7      POWER SUPPLY

3.8     DEFINITION OF COMPONENTS USED

CHAPTER FOUR               

4.0     RESULT ANALYSIS

4.1       CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE

4.2     TESTING OF SYSTEM OPERATION

4.3       ASSEMBLING

4.5       OBSERVATION

4.3       DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED ON THE SYSTEM

CHAPTER FIVE

• CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND REFERENCES
• SUMMARY
• CONCLUSION
• RECOMMENDATION
• REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

• INTRODUCTION

Hydrocarbon is a major source of energy, both for industrial and domestic applications. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a flammable hydrocarbon gas which consists of a mixture of propane and butane hydrocarbons. LPG is a product obtained from the refining of crude oil and gas, and it is a source of energy for domestic cooking, industrial ovens, electric power generators, and it serves as fuel for vehicles. LPG can also be used as a propellant, refrigerant and as a petrochemical feedstock. LPG has no odour and as such, Ethanethiol is added to it as a powerful odorant, for the detection of gas leakage via the sense of smell [B. Sonkar, 2015].

In Nigeria and globally, fire accidents and hazards caused by gas leakage have been a major challenge in the industries (e.g. oil and gas industry), and even in homes (in the kitchen). Several cases of fire accidents and explosions due to gas leakage from gas pipes, the burners of gas cookers or the gas cylinders have been reported. The 1984 San Juanico tragedy in Mexico City; one of the most severe LPG disaster in history, was caused by undetected LPG leakage [G. Arturson, 1987].

Although, gas leakage detection is very important, but preventing fire requires adequate control of the detected gas leakage. In order to prevent gas explosion, there should be statutory environmental requirements on the use of LPG so as to prevent accidents, and protect life and property from disaster. The safety of life and property is vital in all our daily activities whether domestic or industrial. Achieving utmost safety requires adequate planning, early fault detection, and the use of appropriate forms of protection

Over the years, there have been several accidents caused by the leakage of LPG in homes and industries (especially oil and gas industries) from gas pipes and gas cylinders, which has led to the loss of several lives and properties through fire outbreaks and explosions, poisoning and suffocation due to lack of oxygen. In 2013, a report on LPG related accidents in Japan was filed by the High-Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan (KHK). It showed the number of accidents caused by LPG leakage, and a comparison was made with the previous years. As at 2013, there were 206 recorded accidents which left 3 people dead and 52 people injured [3]. From 2014, up to January 2015, there were over 12 recorded LPG leakage related accidents in Chennai in India, and according to the report, this is an indication that the loss of life and damages caused by LPG accidents is on the increase in India. As at January 2015, in Chennai, two incidents had already been reported which left 3 people dead, and 6 others injured [P. Petlee, 2015].

In Nigeria, although there are no accurate statistics and records on LPG related accidents, there have been cases of fire accidents and explosions in industries, fields, and environments where LPG is processed or used. A good example is an incident that occurred in August 2015, in which a family in Azia community, in Anambra State, took delivery of the bodies of nine of their children, who were roasted to death in their Lagos abode by fire that was caused due to undetected gas leakage [S. Eno-Abasi, 2017]. There is no system in place that detects and arrests gas leakage in most kitchens in Nigeria. Even with all the modern building techniques and technologies, installation of gas leakage detection systems in the house, especially in the kitchen, is neglected, and this creates a fire hazard safety gap that can lead to serious disaster.

In this study, a gas leakage detector is designed and implemented to detect gas levels above the normal threshold level, especially in a confined environment. The gas leakage detector notifies the residents by activating a loud alarm,

Gas detectors can be used to detect combustible, flammable and toxic gases, and oxygen depletion. This type of device is used widely in industry and can be found in locations, such as on oil rigs, to monitor manufacture processes and emerging technologies such as photovoltaic. They may be used in firefighting.

1.2                                                  PROBLEM STSTEMENT

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a major fuel for cooking in Nigeria. LPG is dispensed into cylinders which are in various sizes and storage capacities. Multiple cases of household fires, injuries and fatalities due to LPG leakage and explosion have been recorded in Nigeria. This undesirable trend persists majorly because households in Nigeria don’t have gas leakage detection systems. Gas leakage detection system was invented to solve the problem of the gas detection which gives an alarm indication when gas leakage occurs.

1.3                                      AIM AND OBJECTIVE THE PROJECT

The main aim of this work is to build a device that detects the presence of gases in an area, often as part of a safety system. This type of equipment is used to detect a gas leak. At the end of this work students involves:

1. Will be able to design a portable gas sensor
2. will learn how to interface MQ6 Gas sensor

1.4                                              PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

The purpose of this project is to detect the presence of LPG leakage as a part of a safety system.

1.5                                         SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

Gas detectors can be used to detect combustible, flammable and toxic gases, and oxygen depletion. This type of device is used widely in industry and can be found in locations, such as on oil rigs, to monitor manufacture processes and emerging technologies such as photovoltaic. They may be used in firefighting.

1.6                                                 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

This work deals with building a gas leakage detecting system which provides safety approach in detecting gas leakage and evacuate the gas before it is ignited. In this study, a model gas leakage detector system are presented. The implemented, microcontroller-based system, activates a buzzer when a gas leak is detected. To ensure that the house occupant is adequately notified when there is a gas leakage. Gas leak detection was built around MQ-6 sensor and microcontroller. This sensor usually employs an audible alarm to alert people when a dangerous gas has been detected. Gas Sensor (MQ-6) module is useful for gas leakage detection (in home and industry). It is suitable for detecting H2, LPG, CH4, CO, Alcohol. Due to its high sensitivity and fast response time, measurements can be taken as soon as possible. The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted by using the potentiometer. All of this sensor is used for a wide range of applications and can be found in industrial plants, refineries, waste-water treatment facilities, vehicles, and homes.

1.5                                          APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT

Gas detector can be found useful to detect the presence of gases in areas such as:

1. industrial plants,
2. refineries,

• Homes (kitchen)

1. pharmaceutical manufacturing,
2. fumigation facilities,
3. paper pulp mills,

• aircraft and ship-building facilities,
• hazmat operations,

1. waste-water treatment facilities,
2. vehicles, indoor air quality testing and homes

1.6                                                  PROJECT MOTIVATION

The storage or distribution of any gas involves the gas being contained in vessels or pipes under pressure. Any leak in these systems will therefore result in significant amounts of gas (probably invisible) escaping into the surrounding air. What happens to the gas then depends on the nature of the gas and the immediate environment, but can pose a threat to life in three ways:

1. Combustible gas can gather and reach a density at which it can ignite and cause a fireball.
2. Toxic gas can cause illness, paralysis or death if inhaled.

• Any gas in sufficient quantities will displace oxygen and therefore pose a serious risk to life.
  • LIMITATION OF THE PROJECT

1. This device requires steady power supply for effect operation. That means that it will become inactive if the mains power supply fails or the battery goes low.
2. The Sensor requires quarterly calibration and do not have a long life.

1.8                                                         PROJECT ORGANISATION

The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuses the introductory part of the work, chapter two presents the literature review of the study, chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.