Developing a Low-Cost Salinity Sensor Using Locally Sourced Materials

• Published in: International research journal of innovations in engineering and technology Vol. 5; no. 8; pp. 102 - 106
• Main Authors: Okunlola, B A, Ewetumo, T, Okogbue, E C, Olabanji, O M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dharmapuri IRJIET (International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology) 01.08.2021
• Subjects: Amplification; Brackish water; Correlation coefficients; Hydrometeorology; Power integrated circuits; Salinity; Sensors; Underwater construction; Underwater vehicles
• ISSN: 2581-3048; 2581-3048
• DOI: 10.47001/IRJIET/2021.508017

We report the design and construction of a locally constructed hydro-meteorological sensor for surface and underwater vehicles. This salinity sensor consists of four electronics units: the power, input (sensor), gain (amplifies the output signal), and output units. Each unit/block utilizes various low-power integrated circuits. The calibration equation of the salinity sensor was 1055.6exp-1.062 ml/mg/volt (correlation coefficient r = 0.9897). The performance and the coefficient of efficiency of the constructed sensor were compared with a standard sensor, showing the Mean Bias Error (MBE), Root Mean Square Error, and Standard Deviation of -0.5535, 1.3825, and 3.4839 ml/mg, the error margins were relatively small, indicating an excellent performance by the sensor. However, the negative MBE suggests a slight underestimation of the standard. Conclusively, the sensor is efficient in hydro-meteorological studies, capable of monitoring solution conductivity and measuring salinity (and total dissolved salt) in the ocean or brackish water.