A team of students from Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU) has developed and created a prototype of an automatic gas leak prevention system that analyzes sensor readings and reacts to a leak in seconds.
According to Egor Shirshov, a student at the Faculty of Automation and Computer Engineering at NSTU-NETI, the system, the main element of which is an ESP32-based central unit with a connected gas sensor, an alarm system and a Wi-Fi module for controlling a fan and an electric gas valve, allows you to respond to a gas leak in 10 seconds.
"When the sensor detects an excess of the permissible gas level, the system automatically triggers several actions at the same time, rather than simply reporting a problem, as is often the case with similar equipment. First, an audible warning is activated so that the user immediately draws attention to the problem. Then the hood is started to reduce the gas concentration in the room. After that, the system sends a command to an electric crane, which cuts off the gas supply," said Egor Shirshov.
You can control the operation of the system through a local web interface - just connect via a browser from your phone, tablet or computer. "In fact, this makes the system cross-platform, because the interface opens on both mobile devices and PCs. The user can see the status of sensors, alarms, and actuators in real time. In the future, we plan to create a full-fledged mobile application with push notifications, event history and remote monitoring. Integration with smart home ecosystems is also interesting," the developers noted.
The GasGuard project, which was created by first-year students in the framework of the "Fundamentals of Project Activity" discipline, is at the stage of a working prototype. The team is testing the basic architecture of the gas detection system, alarm operation, ventilation start and automatic shut-off of gas through an electric crane.
"We are conducting internal tests of the logic of module interaction, checking the stability of the system and the correctness of the response to various scenarios. Special attention is paid to the reliability of communication between devices and the stability of actuation mechanisms," emphasized Egor Shirshov, adding that in the future it is planned to consult with specialists in the field of gas safety, fire safety and automated control systems.
The developers are confident that the project has the potential to be used not only in apartments and private homes, but also in small commercial facilities: GasGuard will be useful in cafes, bakeries, hostels and other premises where gas equipment is used.
The GasGuard project won the second place in the student project competition, where more than 100 projects were presented in various categories: engineering, IT projects, organizational and design.