CALMET "Online Experimentation: Emerging Technologies and IoT"​

Save this template to your personal learning enviroment, read and analyse it, do the laboratory work.

 

“Analysis of the dynamic process of parameters distribution formation in the model system "soil-atmosphere" under the influence of the given modes of moisture and heat”

 

Aim of work:

 

Acquisition of knowledge and formation of skills necessary for the development of research-measuring systems and work with experimental data in the framework of the Internet of Things concept

 

List of obtained knowledge and generated skills:

 
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Refer to the general description of the laboratory work, the functionality of the laboratory setup and its design

 

 Work description

 

 

General scheme of the laboratory work:

 

1.      There is organized a zone containing:

o   a layer of sand (or other hygroscopic material),

o   free air space above the sand layer passing directly to the airspace of the laboratory facilities (without separating them by hermetical barriers); there is a variant of micro greenhouse formation separated from the lab environment by a hermetical barrier.

2.      There is organized a managed irrigation sand system, the distribution of irrigation can be controlled.

3.      In the sand layer there are several humidity sensors, over the sand surface there are humidity and air temperature sensors at several spots.

4.      Management of the entire system and environmental parameters collection are done with the help of Arduino, computer, etc. All processes are displayed in a template document.

Functionality of the laboratory device

 

The laboratory device allows:

·         To form different microstructures of the hygroscopic layer (variable depth of a layer, hygroscopic material variables, etc.).

·         To set different characteristics of irrigation (drip irrigation, areal irrigation, irrigation of various intensity (drip and areal, regular and irregular irrigation (as to space), irregular irrigation as to time).

·         To record real-time sensor readings and display them in graphs.

·         To manage the irrigation process through web interface.

·         To display experimental data in the work template (in real time and in the mode of data output for selected periods of time).

Components of the laboratory device

 

1.      Arduino Board

Arduino Leonardo

2.      Physical quantities sensors

Soil moisture sensor

Air temperature and humidity sensor

Thermistors

3.      Micropumps

 
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4.      Frame and rods for sensors positioning   

5.      Tray for hygroscopic medium formation

6.      Irrigation distribution system

7.      Device wiring

8.      Computer

9.      Monitor, keyboard, mouse

10.  Protective screens

11.  Fastening elements

12.  Basis of the laboratory device (working platform)

13.  Indicators of device operation modes

14.  Water tank, water pipes

15.  Tools for hygroscopic material layer preparation and formation  

 

It is necessary to become familiar with all elements of the laboratory device (to identify, to hold in hands).

Scheme of the laboratory device

 

It is necessary to become familiar with the diagram of the laboratory device, to identify its parts



How laboratory setup should looks and works

                    

The algorithm of work with the laboratory device, final results

 

0.      To assemble the laboratory device.

1.      To configure the device connection to the Internet of Things server.

2.      To prepare the experiment working space of the web-page:

to create tables, to create and host control elements, to create and host interfaces of experimental data display.

3.      To turn on the device power.

4.      To record the initial readings of all instruments (before irrigation).

5.      To set the irrigation parameters: sprinkler type and location (to record all data in the experiment configuration table).

6.      To observe the process dynamics. To capture interesting features of the process in the text form.

7.      To save the data of the experiment.

Questions regarding the work

 

List of questions

 

 
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Assembling the laboratory device

Procedure:

 

1.      Install the frame for sensors fastening to the working platform.

2.      Install the Arduino controller on the working platform and secure it.

3.      Install the water tank on the working platform.

4.      Place the container for hygroscopic material inside the frame.

5.      Install rods for sensors positioning.

6.      Install sensors on the rods.

7.      Connect sensors to the Arduino platform. Connect the Arduino platform to the power supply.

8.      Fix the connecting wires on the rods and other structural elements.

9.      Install the water tank on the working platform and fix it.

10.  Install irrigation system.

11.  Install the submersible micro pump in the water tank.

12.  Connect the submersible pump with watering system by water pipes.

13.  Shape the container bottom relief for hygroscopic material.

14.  Fill the hygroscopic material container with sand or other hygroscopic material.

15.  Place the soil moisture sensors in the hygroscopic material.

16.  Pour water into the water tank.

17.  Place protective screens.

 

 

It is necessary to take photos at 4-5 key assembling points that would show the stages of its assembly

 

As an additional task to this phase of the work:

“Development and manufacturing of a sensor measuring the intensity of precipitation (irrigation) using 3D printer”.

 

Connection of the laboratory device to IoT, setting up software, creating interfaces to control the device and display data.

 

Read the reference data

 

Connecting devices to Alterozoom using the iotkit-agent

 Presentation about Alterozoom IoT abilities

Procedure:

 

  1. To install IoT agent on the computer
  2. To configure IoT agent
  3. To connect the device to the IoT server
  4. To create interfaces for control of the device and display of data

Execution of experimental studies

 

Suggest a sequence of actions and execute them;
data will be automatically recorded.

 

 

 

Data on the grafs before experiments are not valid.


Management of the laboratory device:

 

Air temperature graph of the first sensor:



 

Air temperature graph of the second sensor:



 

Air humidity graph of the second sensor:



 

Soil moisture graph of the first sensor:




 

Soil moisture graph of the second sensor:



 

Soil temperature graph of the first sensor in Kelvin degrees:

 

Soil temperature graph of the second sensor in Kelvin degrees:


 

 

Soil temperature graph of the third sensor in Kelvin degrees:



 

 

Disassembly of the experimental device

 

Disassembly of the experimental device is performed in the order reverse to assembly.

Wet hygroscopic material is placed in a drying unit.

All wet parts of the device should be wiped with absorbent cloth.

 

Analysis of experimental data

 
 

 

Conclusion

 
 

 

Reference information

 
 

 

Questions without answers. Ambiguities of the laboratory work


 

 


 

Additional tasks

 

  1. To develop and implement a system providing a given level of soil moisture
     
  2. To create a model of the laboratory device in the AnyLogic environment
     
  3. To simulate different modes of operation of the laboratory device, including automatic maintenance of specified parameters
     

 

​Any suggestions for improving this laboratory work. Proposals for new laboratory works

 

While formulating proposals we recommend using ideas generating techniques  

PROPERTIES LIST 

"SCAMPER" 

“Six thinking hats"

 

Reflexive understanding of the work done

 

Fill in the table

 

Learnt earlier / was able to  

Have learnt / am able to

Would like to learn / to be able