Note: This article is a guest blog post written by Mayur Panchal. A big thank you goes out to Mayur for submitting this guest author article.

Did you know that the quality of water used in industrial processes significantly impacts the quality of the final product? From fabricating to processing, washing, diluting, cooling and transporting, water is widely used in various industrial processes. 

Water monitoring is an integral part of many manufacturing and industrial processes. Now that the world is going more green, water quality management is essential to meet stringent environmental and industry standards. IoT-based water monitoring systems play a pivotal role in maintaining the quality of industrial water.

Water requirements vary from industry to industry. For example, deionized water is commonly used in medical, electronics manufacturing and food processing sectors. Even an iota of minerals, gas or dirt particles can interfere with the quality of the final product. On the contrary, boilers and cooling towers require feed water for optimum efficiency and low maintenance. 

The question is – How do you ensure that your water is fit to use for your requirements? 

Technology is impacting every aspect of our lives by simplifying tasks that used to be strenuous and complicated. Industrial IoT solutions have transformed the way industries function. An IoT-empowered water monitoring system can automize and bring precision to the entire water monitoring process. 

What Is an IoT Sensor?

IoT sensors are a crucial part of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Sensors are devices designed to detect and respond to changes in various environmental factors like light, temperature, pressure and motion. They can derive valuable information from the environment and transmit the data when connected with a network, device or management system like Tools.Valarm.net.

How Do IoT Sensors Help With Industrial Water Monitoring Applications? 

Manual monitoring of water quality has its own set of challenges: 

  • Water monitoring is time-consuming and costly
  • Manual water quality readings are prone to errors 
  • Data quality depends on the skill of the person monitoring water quality, so it may not be a quality measurement
  • Proper training is required for on-site readings, hence its time-consuming and cost-intensive nature

IoT sensors help industries overcome all of these challenges. Sensors have proven to be game-changers for today’s businesses. 

Through predictive analytics, they inform users of potential problems before they grow into major issues. This way industries can plan maintenance activities well in advance and avoid downtime. 

There are many types of IoT sensors and sensors are used for various industrial applications. By analyzing various trends, these sensors provide valuable insights that can help users make informed decisions.  

How Do You Monitor Water Quality IoT Sensors? 

Smart IoT sensors automatically monitor various parameters that help maintain the desired quality of water. They share live data about water quality on a platform or a dashboard like Valarm Tools Cloud / Tools.Valarm.net. The information shared by the sensors helps decision-makers take prompt action in case of irregularities. Water sensors can measure many parameters like these:

  • Turbidity: Indicates the quantity of suspended particles in water. It may cause the water to look cloudy or hazy. 
  • pH: Tells you whether the water is acidic or basic. Topological and geographical conditions play a vital role in determining the pH of water. The pH of pure water is 7. 
  • Temperature: Water temperature is extremely important for industrial processes. The right temperature can enhance the efficiency of operations and increase productivity. 
  • Dissolved Oxygen: This parameter is important for the fragmentation of organic compounds present in the water.
  • TDS: Total Dissolved Solids measurements reflect things like the concentration of salt in water. Since water is a universal solvent it dissolves as much salt as you can add. Water with high TDS has increased conductivity. Again, this parameter is important for carrying out industrial processes.
  • Salinity: Salinity indicates the presence of salt in the water. High salt strength is not considered fit for domestic, industrial or agricultural usage.

IoT sensors can monitor these parameters in real-time and raise an alert if any irregularities are found. Decision-makers then take appropriate action to correct the irregularities. With IoT sensors, industries ensure that the water quality is fit to use. By doing this, you increase the lifetime of your machinery and enhance the quality of your final products.  

How to Get Started? 

Before you get started with water monitoring sensors, you have to identify your requirements and challenges. You also have to consider your location and water pressure while selecting your sensors. There are various types of sensors like ultrasonic, guided wave radar, pressure transducers etc. 

Radar level sensors are used for monitoring the surface of the fluid such as foam. Pressure transducers work well when they are submerged. Ultrasonic level transmitters are required to be fixed above the water level. 

Before implementing a water monitoring system using IoT, you need to consider the following:

  • Your current water levels
  • Water levels in your wells, tanks and other storage places
  • Your water usage as per flow meter and level sensors

Your technology consultant can help you with selecting the appropriate sensor based upon your particular requirements. 

Internet Connectivity Is Essential

Why have sensors if they cannot transmit and share the measurement data on the internet? For data transmission, internet connectivity is crucial. If you have decided to implement an IoT-powered water monitoring system, you have to make sure that you arrange for uninterrupted internet connectivity.

If your industrial unit is located in an extreme environment, you can resort to renewable energy for power generation to keep the sensors and the monitoring system running. 

Key benefits

  • Industrial IoT sensors warn you about floods well in advance so you can take precautionary measures
  • You receive accurate information about the water levels in remote reservoirs.
  • You keep track of water flow rates and water usage in distant pipes and water wells
  • Verify and check the amounts of liquids, fluids or chemicals in storage tanks in real-time
  • Confirm whether or not water quality is safely within your desired parameters

In the states, government agencies and municipal water authorities use IoT sensors to monitor water quality. It is evident that the demand for IoT sensors for water quality monitoring will rise in the near future as the resources for consumable water are rapidly depleting.

Thanks to Mayur Panchal for submitting this guest blog post about Industrial IoT Sensor Monitoring. Mayur is up to date with the latest trends in mobile app technologies and innovative enterprise mobile solutions. When he’s not swimming, you’ll find him writing blog articles about business operations and technology implementations.