This document discusses using a Raspberry Pi for remote environmental monitoring to reduce costs associated with field work. It presents a use case of monitoring a soil vapor extraction remediation system that uses activated carbon units. A remote monitoring system was created using a Raspberry Pi, Arduino, gas sensor, and WiFi connectivity to record and transmit sensor data to track the efficiency of the activated carbon units. This allows field staff to only visit when units deplete, saving an estimated $20,000 per year. Future improvements could expand its applications and capabilities.

1. Environmental Monitoring With a
Raspberry Pi
Daniel Chen

2. Environmental Science - Expectation
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/hqedu/img/quidget/dtsp/math-science/1.jpg

3. Environmental Science - Reality
http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/galleries/2013/Review_HanSoloHothRescueBlueSWS/Review_HanSoloHothRescueBlueSWS_stillC.jp
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4. Field work is labor intensive

5. Field work is expensive

6. Field work is sparse

7. Solution - The Internet of Things [IoT]
What is it?
A way to interface hardware with the Internet
What does that mean?
Connects “things” (i.e. sensors, machines, and other devices) to the Internet
for remote control or monitoring
How does it impact the Environmental Field?
Remote data collection and monitoring, reduced labor costs

8. Use Case - Background
Soil Vapor Extraction System Using Activated Carbon
● Remediation system actively extracts VOCs such as BTEX from soil gas
using granular activated carbon units (GAC)
● Scrubbed airstream is pushed to atmosphere
● Depleted carbon does not filter volatiles well, so weekly site visits are
needed to check GAC units for “breakthrough” (depletion)

9. Use Case - Background
http://www.precisionenvironmentalny.com/temp/soil-vapor-extraction.html

10. Use Case - Idea
Remote Monitoring System
● Place remote monitor system at entry and exit points of GAC units to
determine efficiency
● Monitor system periodically records sensor data to an online database,
showing live data feed
● Field staff would need to visit site only when GAC units begin to exhibit
breakthrough

11. Use Case - Idea

12. Use Case - Early Prototype
Arduino Uno, GPRS Shield, SD Card Shield

13. Use Case - Current Version
Raspberry Pi, Arduino Nano

14. Use Case - Current Version
Specs & Components
● Raspberry Pi B
● WiFi/Ethernet Connectivity
● Arduino Nano
● MQ135 electrochemical gas sensor
● Remote access & control with Weaved, Platform.IO, and Google Drive
Cost breakdown
● $15 Electrochemical Gas Sensor
● $15 Arduino
● $100 Raspberry Pi & parts
● $0 Google Drive

15. Use Case - Test Data

16. Use Case - Result
Benefits
● Cheap (Cost in parts < $200)
● Projected Savings of $20,000/yr
● Live Readings
● Remote Access
Future Improvements
● Expand to other applications
● Improved database system
● Mesh sensor network
● Mobile platform

17. Thanks for listening!
Daniel Chen
Email: quickbrownfox319@gmail.com
Github: quickbrownfox319
LinkedIn: goo.gl/uB2fUK