DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM USING AN ANDROID MOBILE APPLICATION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The manual monitoring and control of vital industrial parameters in industries has led to mistakes and accidents, such as boiler explosions in Thermal Power plants. Human operators using data logging systems to monitor these parameters can lead to false results and negligence, which can have major consequences. Incompetence and negligence by human operators have been frequent causes of boiler explosions. Safety is crucial, as insufficient water or excess pressure can lead to severe damage and the risk of explosion. Maintaining control of steam temperature is also important. A recent example of a boiler explosion in India resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries due to negligence by the operators. To overcome these challenges, the use of automated systems that provide real-time monitoring and remote-control functionalities has become crucial. This paper presents an industrial monitoring and control system that utilizes an Android mobile application to facilitate efficient monitoring and control of critical parameters. The system aims to enhance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of industrial operations.

BACKGROUND

Various technologies have been employed to collect and analyze data from different industrial parameters for industrial monitoring and control systems. These technologies include LCD displays, CAN bus communication, SCADA systems, web-based systems, GSM wireless technology, and Bluetooth technology [1, 2, 3]. Each technology has its own benefits and drawbacks. To keep track of parameters at specific locations, LCD monitors are frequently utilized. This strategy is prone to manual errors and needs constant supervision by human operators. On the other hand, CAN bus communication enables parameter monitoring and control from a single personal computer. The usage of this technology, however, is restricted to particular locations and necessitates high-end computers, raising installation costs.

SCADA systems provide comprehensive monitoring and control capabilities for multiple field sites. However, they require skilled operators and are not user-friendly. Web-based systems enable remote monitoring using a standard web browser, but they can be slower and less secure. GSM wireless technology allows for remote monitoring and control using mobile phones, but it requires network coverage and has limited range [1, 2, 3]. Bluetooth technology allows for the monitoring of industrial devices but is restricted to short distances. Previous research in this field has mainly focused on switching and controlling industrial devices, rather than remote monitoring and control of the industrial environment. There is a need for a more efficient and user-friendly system that overcomes the limitations of existing technologies.