Carbon monoxide detection and autonomous countermeasure system for a steel mill using Wireless Sensor and Actuator Network

Abstract

Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is a seamless and dangerous problem in steel mill's hot-process areas where the dirty and hazardous environment offers unique challenges to any deployed gas detection system. Slow accumulation of the gas causes headaches, dizziness, nausea and confusion which are harmful for workers' safety and environmental protection. The gas detection solution needs to be wireless and instantly deployable, as the steel mill could not afford the down time to install shielded cables. This paper presents a CO poisoning prevention system based on a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) which continuously detects the CO level in a restrained space like in steel mills and upon alarming conditions, automatically activates countermeasure system to lower the CO concentration level. This research also presents implementation of a WSN monitoring system connected to a customized actuator circuit which can switch the exhaust and alarm systems on and off autonomously.