Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
Graduates Faculty of Information Technology (FIT) NSU developed a system for monitoring the condition of water intake wells — a hardware and software complex that allows real-time monitoring of key parameters of their operation. The complex includes sensors installed on wells, a server platform for collecting and analyzing data, as well as a user interface — a web version and a mobile application on Android. The development has already been implemented and is used by employees of OJSC Suzunskoye ZhKH in the Novosibirsk Region, where the system collects data on the water level and electricity consumption of pumping equipment at wells.
The idea for the project emerged two years ago, when the task of developing a comprehensive monitoring system was announced at a meeting of the technical council of the State Institution of the Novosibirsk Region “Project Directorate of the Ministry of Housing and Public Utilities of the Novosibirsk Region”. This initiative was picked up by Alexey Fage, a graduate of the NSU Institute of Information Technologies and a candidate of technical sciences. Over the next year, he studied the requirements of potential users and technical solutions for completing the tasks. Subsequently, the team was joined by Alexander Vlasov, a graduate of the NSU Institute of Information Technologies and a candidate of technical sciences, and Efim Pashko, a third-year student of the NSU Institute of Information Technologies at that time. Alexey managed the project and also developed software for the hardware part of the project, responsible for recording sensor readings at the well. Efim, under the guidance of his scientific advisor Alexander Vlasov, worked on the server part and the user interface, including the web version and mobile application. The development is Efim’s diploma project. This example clearly demonstrates how graduates of the Faculty of Information Technology of NSU continue to actively participate in the life of their university, offering students relevant and interesting projects that can grow into significant developments.
There are various water well monitoring systems on the Russian market, but the system under review has no complete analogues on the open market. Existing approaches can be divided into 2 types. Thus, the first type collects data on well parameters and automatically sends them to a remote server. However, such solutions are usually part of larger, universal industrial automation systems. For example, these can be water well control systems with a load distribution function. These complex systems are usually much more expensive and often require the customer to independently organize and maintain the server infrastructure. Another approach is represented by simpler systems, where a sensor is installed on the well, which collects data on the internal memory. In this case, manual intervention is required to unload and analyze the data – the operator must come to the site with a laptop, which is extremely inconvenient for remote wells.
— We are trying to create a specialized, but at the same time extremely easy-to-use system, which can be described as “install and forget”. It is designed with a wide range of consumers in mind, who only need to know how to use a smartphone. In essence, this is a regular user service in the modern sense, — explained Efim Pashko.
The monitoring system consists of three parts. The first is the one installed directly on the well. These are sensors and a single-board computer that collects readings from the sensors and sends them to the server. The second is the server part, which receives, saves and processes all data coming from the sensors. In the future, the server part will also include a data analysis module. The third part is access to this data, which is carried out either through a computer (web browser) or through a phone (mobile application).
Currently, a pilot project for the implementation of this system is being implemented with OJSC Suzunskoye ZhKH in the Novosibirsk Region. The developers are collecting feedback from users in order to further refine and improve the system. Thus, with the help of sensors, it is monitored whether the dynamic water level in the well (the water level in the well during pump operation) corresponds to the passport, since operation with a low level can lead to premature failure of the well. The system also records problems with the power supply, for example, phase imbalance – a violation of the uniform distribution of voltage between the phases, which can result in damage to electrical equipment.
Thus, continuous monitoring of well parameters contributes to a more accurate assessment of the condition of the equipment and the water intake as a whole, which has a positive impact on maintenance planning and operational strategy.
The relevance of the development is also due to new regulatory requirements. Thus, in May, a new decree of the Government of the Russian Federation was issued, according to which legal entities – owners of wells – must monitor their condition, since in the case of operating wells with a water level below the permissible level, this can not only lead to equipment failure, but also adversely affect the condition of the aquifer and harm the environment. The monitoring system allows you to promptly record the occurrence of such situations and take measures to eliminate them. In addition, the availability of objective data collected by the system reduces the likelihood of conflicts between operating organizations and regulatory authorities (for example, the Ministry of Natural Resources) – due to increased transparency and accountability of actions.
Currently, the system collects water level data and electrical energy indicators (voltage, current, reactive and active power). However, the hardware is quite versatile, so it allows you to include additional sensors and expand the range of collected data, for example, add parameters such as water temperature, water flow at the well outlet, pressure in the main line, etc. Also, in the future, the developers plan to expand the functionality of the system, in particular, automate the compilation of reports and improve the data processing module using artificial intelligence technologies.
— Of course, the mathematical method that we are currently using allows us to analyze data quite deeply, but machine learning opens up new horizons. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I will apply for a master’s degree in a field related to machine learning and will continue working on this project. It is quite possible that I will find a new technology that can be applied, — added Efim.
This solution was recently presented to the Minister of Housing and Public Utilities and Energy of the Novosibirsk Region. The system interested the Minister, who confirmed the relevance of its implementation. Work is currently underway on a feasibility study for subsequent presentation to the Governor of the Novosibirsk Region.
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