Evaluation of water level in flowing channels using ultrasonic sensors
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Data
2022-05
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Resumo
Monitoring flow in channels is difficult, expensive, and potentially dangerous; hence,
alternatives minimizing these factors are sought and indirect methods to measure the flow based on
water-level information, among others, are employed. Ultrasonic sensors along with Arduino are
widely used to monitor levels in reservoirs; however, the accuracy of this method in turbulent flow
regimes has not been evaluated. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the level of open channel flows
using a combination of Arduino and ultrasonic sensors whilst considering turbulence. Additionally,
we statistically compared the simultaneous measurements of levels obtained using five ultrasonic
sensors with those of five rulers filmed individually along an artificial channel, for four permanent and
two transient regimes. The results showed that the errors in measurements increased with increasing
turbulence. These errors were within the range of hydraulic measurements (<0.020 m), indicating
that the procedure is valid for experienced conditions. Therefore, the combination of Arduino and
ultrasonic sensors is a technically and economically viable alternative. However, calibrating and
validating the sensors for distances greater than 0.400 m should be performed with care because the
bench tests performed in static conditions were limitedly accurate in measuring distances greater
than 0.200 m.
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Steady flow, Transient flow, Arduino, HC-SR04 sensor
Citação
PEREIRA, Tatiane Souza Rodrigues; CARVALHO, Thiago Pires de; MENDES, Thiago Augusto; FORMIGA, Klebber Teodomiro Martins. Evaluation of water level in flowing channels using ultrasonic sensors. Sustainability, Basileia, v. 14, n. 9, e5512, 2022. DOI: 10.3390/su14095512. Disponível em: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/9/5512. Acesso em: 13 Mar. 2025.