Development and Performance Evaluation of a Household Liquefied Petroleum Gas Monitoring and Leakage Detector

Abstract

The percentage of death and material losses as a result of the explosion of household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has risen in recent years, hence the need for a suitable gas leaking detection and alert system. Gas level monitoring and leakage detection device consist essentially of two main units; LPG volume monitoring unit and leakage detection unit. LPG volume monitoring unit consists of load cells, HX711 signal amplification module, and infrared temperature sensor. 50 kg E-shaped load cell was used for this work due to its relatively small size, lightweight and ease of installation. The system is powered with 9 volts’ battery. The leakage alert mode is triggered by a signal from the gas sensor when the concentration of LPG in the controlled atmosphere is more than the programmed safe value. On entry into this mode, a warning alert is displayed on the screen and the buzzer emits a continuous beep until the level of the LPG falls below the programmed level. A rectangular platform houses the load cells and signal amplification module. The alert system was programmed to produce three short beeps on the start of the device whenever the cylinder volume is less than 0.5 kg. The standard safe allowable concentration of LPG in the atmosphere was put at 1000 ppm (part per million) and once this is exceeded, the system automatically switches to the alert mode. The developed system performs satisfactorily, is safe to use, and therefore recommended for domestic use.