It was decided to take measurements from two sites, one downstream and one upstream from the proposed impact area. The complete monitoring system would require measurement of level, temperature, turbidity and pH, as well as data logging and data transmission. The TROLL 9500 multi-parameter water quality sonde was chosen to measure all the required parameters at the two sites. The TROLL 9500’s low power consumption and robust design made it ideal for this application. It features up to nine field replaceable sensors (which can be calibrated using Quick Cal solutions in under five minutes) and gives unrivalled accuracy.
The remote location of Tregaron Peat Bog complicated this monitoring program, as the application requires reliable and efficient transmission of data from the remote monitoring sites, with real-time data needed to assess impacts and react to them quickly. The GPRS coverage in the area was in doubt and standard catenas were also unable to deliver reliable data. As well as these problems, a previous telemetry installation on the site had failed as the equipment used was too power-hungry for the 2 W solar panel supplied.
The telemetry solution chosen for this application consisted of an Adcon A753 telemetry unit in combination with a directional GPRS antenna. The antenna provided uninterrupted data from the site and the extremely low power consumption and advanced solar panels of the A753 have provided continuous data over the last four months without any significant power drain. The A753 is a completely new RTU. It has multiple inputs (up to 40 SDI-12 values as well as various analogue and pulse inputs), a built in data logger and quad band Motorola GPRS modem, all housed in a discreet sealed unit. The internal batteries will last up to two months without power and are charged via the powerful solar panels supplied with them. The solar panels can also be used to power sensors if required.
The TROLL 9500s provided the accurate measurement and the A753 with antenna and solar panels answered the data transmission problem, but it’s the Flowview online data portal that really sets this solution apart. Data is transmitted back to the RS Hydro head office from the two monitoring sites to an A850 telemetry gateway, where it’s automatically received into an Oracle database. The scientists at Aberystwyth University have access to this data (via the online portal) a matter of seconds after it has been transmitted from the monitoring site.
Flowview online data portal can be accessed securely using any internet connected web browser. This enables logging on from any computer in any location, without the need to install software. It provides data collection, processing, visualisation, storage and distribution with an intuitive, user friendly interface. Programmed entirely in Java and running in a web browser via a Java applet, Flowview provides graphical and tabular data, as well as a wide variety of tools to process data according to the needs of the client, whether it be a simple report or an advanced statistical analysis.
Client configured alarm levels were a key feature for the Aberystwyth scientists. They needed to be alerted immediately to any sudden changes in the parameter measurements so that the necessary action could be taken. The alarm levels can be configured to notify a client via SMS, email or even by an automated message to a land line! Reverse communication with RTUs is also available, and when combined with the alert levels this enables devices such as switches, pumps, motors and relays to be activated or deactivated automatically when alarm levels are breached.
One of the many advantages that Flowview gains from being entirely web browser based is that it is completely platform and operating system independent. Flowview even has a WAP interface if you’d like to access the application via a mobile device. Being web based also completely removes the need for clients to back up their data, as RS Hydro backup all data daily and store it securely both on and off-site providing peace of mind for clients and full ISO compliance. Flowview also gives the client full control of how they view their data with highly customisable trend panels. For instance, if the Aberystwyth scientists need to compare water turbidity readings from the two different sites, with a few clicks of the mouse they can be combined in a single trend panel which can be named 'Turbidity Comparison'.