Customer Case Study：Chained Temperature Transmitters

Today, a customer asked me about the issue of temperature chain, so I will show you a case of a previous project related to this topic.

1. Project Background

Underwater vertical temperature data is one of the basic and important data in the fields of hydro-logical and oceanographic scientific research such as ocean thermal structure, hydrodynamic processes, and water mass division, and is one of the main observation contents. When people engage in research and practical work related to reservoirs, oceans, lakes, groundwater, strata, and other fields, they need to pay attention to and master the changes of the "water temperature" factor, especially the water temperature monitoring of the vertical water temperature profile.

Measurement of the vertical profile of underwater temperature must overcome the effects of water flow dynamics, corrosion, impact, as well as difficulties such as power supply and poor signal transmission.

This project adopts a reasonable design structure, which can avoid the impact of water flow, fix at a certain position underwater, and keep the entire temperature chain in a vertical cross-section; during the on-site layout, it uses a buoy system to fix at the front of the weir floating device. The buoy can change with the reservoir water level and remains relatively stable even under the influence of wind. Although the vertical temperature chain may be affected by water flow and tilt to some extent, the temperature probes used have pressure records, which can relatively locate each temperature probe. The sensor housing is sturdy and stable, shock-resistant, and corrosion-resistant, and will not cause deviation in the data measured by the sensor due to immersion and impact of the medium; the combination of solar panels and battery power supply, which does not require laying power lines, can continuously power the temperature chain and save construction costs, improving the adaptability of the temperature chain; the GPRS wireless transmission method using 4G signals has stable signal transmission, is not limited by distance and time, and can ensure the continuity and integrity of the data.

Combining the reservoir characteristic water level and intake mouth elevation, the temperature chain length is 60m, which will be specifically determined according to the terrain in front of the intake. The probe distribution of each temperature chain: surface 0.5m-30m, with 16 probes arranged at an interval of 2m (except for the two surface probes with an interval of 1.5m); water depth 35m-60m, with 6 probes arranged at an interval of 5m; the total number of probes is 22. It can provide timely and comprehensive water temperature data for people to study and apply hydro logical conditions, and the data will be sent to the server through wireless transmission for users to log in to the platform for data browsing, querying, and exporting, etc.

Opening a new chapter in the measurement of vertical section water temperature, providing new solutions and approaches for measuring underwater water temperature.

2. Project Content

Underwater vertical temperature chain, composed of HR8003 pressure-type water level and temperature gauge, HRTU8301 data transmission module, high-power battery, solar power supply system, mainframe bracket, guardrail, floating island, steel wire, etc., can automatically carry out continuous observation of underwater temperature and data transmission without human supervision. Using a fixed guide rope, the floating island is fixed on the water surface, and the mainframe box, bracket, solar battery panel, battery, data transmission module, etc. are installed on the floating island; a temperature chain composed of many HighReach HR8003 pressure water level and water temperature gauges is thrown into the water below the floating island.

Vertical temperature chain topology of water bodies

2.1 Fixed method

The vertical temperature chain of the underwater body is fixed on the surface part through buoys and anchored. The water flow velocity at the reservoir site is low, so there is no situation where the buoy is washed away.

The method of fixing the underwater temperature chain utilizes steel wire and heavy objects. The steel wire with the heavy objects attached is thrown into the water. Under the action of Earth's gravity, the heavy objects will sink vertically to the bottom of the water, and be fixed at the bottom under the cover of silt and sand. Before the steel wire is thrown into the water, the temperature probe will be fixed layer by layer at the corresponding positions on the steel wire in the form of 1/* meter, 1/* meter.

Such a design can ensure that the entire floating island will not be carried away by wind and waves, and can effectively cushion the mutual collisions of the floating islands in the event of drastic changes in water level. In addition, the surrounding area of the floating islands will be enclosed by a protective barrier, thus preventing debris on the water surface from impacting the island and damaging the main (core) part of the temperature chain.

2.2 Power Supply Method

Water body underwater vertical temperature chain adopts a power supply method using a combination of solar panels and battery packs. During the day (when there is sunlight), the solar panels start generating electricity, providing power for the equipment to operate on one hand, and charging the battery pack on the other; at night or on rainy days (when there is no sunlight), the battery pack powers the entire set of equipment, ensuring that the entire set of equipment can operate around the clock and automatically, systematically measuring the underwater temperature of the water body and promptly transmitting the data to the server.

Solar panel + battery combination power supply method, which is energy-saving and environmentally friendly, does not produce waste, noise, greenhouse gases and toxic gases, etc., also saves costs, reduces the construction cost of long-distance power grids and power loss on transmission lines, and is also easy to install, not easy to be damaged, and easy to maintain.

2.3 Data Transmission Method

Water body underwater vertical temperature chain adopts the data transmission method of Shaanxi HighReach HRTU8301 type 4G GPRS wireless transmission. After the underwater temperature chain automatically completes the temperature measurement, the data is sent to the server through the GPRS wireless transmission method. Users can log in to the system platform to perform operations such as browsing, querying, and exporting data.

3. Product Features:

l Integrated design for data collection, control, storage, and transmission.

l Can collect various standard transmitters, sensors, serial port instruments

l The collection interface types and quantities are numerous and can be flexibly configured

l Optional accessories:

Water resource monitoring data transmission protocol, hydro logical monitoring data communication protocol, etc

l Supports various configuration software and user-developed software systems

Product Function:

l Communication Function: Network connection of the device can be realized through wireless communication methods such as 4G LTE/GPRS/CDMA/NB-IoT, short messages, satellite, etc

l Support data communication with 1-4 monitoring centers

l Support real-time online and scheduled wake-up working modes

l Data Collection Function: Collect standard signals of water level and rainfall transmitters

l Flow data from flow meters, pulse meters

l Collecting the operating status of the water pump or valve, the power supply status of the equipment, and the switch status of the box door.

l Image capture function: Can be connected to industrial cameras for image capture.

l Control Function: Supports automatic control, remote control of pumps, valves, and other control equipment

l Remote Management Function: Supports remote parameter settings and program upgrades

l Alarm function: Monitor data exceeding limits and immediately report alarm information

l Storage Function: This device cyclically stores monitoring data, and the data will not be lost during power failure

2.4 Pressure Water Temperature Gauge

HR8003 type pressure water level and water temperature gauge is a hydro logical instrument used for water level and water temperature measurement. It is developed through the accumulation of many years of production technology and adopts advanced mixed signal processing technology to overcome the shortcomings of traditional analog circuit modules, achieving full-scale digital linear correction and full temperature range digital temperature error compensation; compensation parameters are stored in non-volatile memory, with multiple safety protection mechanisms to avoid product inoperability due to loss of calibration parameters; the circuit module is equipped with power monitoring and watchdog monitoring functions, and the immersion structure is fully sealed with stainless steel, greatly improving product reliability.

HR8003 Pressure-Type Water Level and Water Temperature Gauge Features:

High Stability Type: High-quality and high-stability pressure sensing element

High accuracy: Water level accuracy 0.05%F.S, resolution 1mm; temperature accuracy ±0.2°C, resolution 0.01°C. Low power consumption: intelligent power management design, collection power consumption 3-4MA

All-in-one function: simultaneous real-time monitoring of water level, water temperature, water pressure, etc

Atmospheric pressure compensation: Direct measurement compensation method for atmospheric pressure (optional absolute pressure)

Signal Standard: RS485 Interface MODBUS-RTU Communication Protocol

Protection Level: Full stainless steel sealed structure, IP68 protection

Temperature Compensation: Full-range digital calibration, temperature error compensation in all temperature ranges

This case uses a water level gauge (click here to learn more), but if you only need to perform vertical multi-point temperature monitoring, you can use our HR6100 (click here to learn more: XXX). If you need a custom temperature chain, please contact me.