Continuous CO₂ Monitoring System

WORKING

I used multiple open-source platforms like ARDUINO, Raspberry Pi, Google – Firebase, Angular-8 and python programming language. For the user interface, I used an LCD screen (but any device like a mobile, tab, pc, smart tv etc) can be used as the front end. For the backend, we used Google-Firebase as cloud storage and database. The hardware also included a CO2 sensor, servo motor, Touch LCD and power bank.

To allow the sensor to collect the data, the air had to be in static condition for 30-40 seconds. So, I took a closed airtight box with two outlets: 1^st was connected to the vehicular exhaust pipe and the 2^nd to an exhaust fan covered by a movable hinge. In every cycle the box cover opened via servo, the DC fan rotated for 30 sec allowing the gas to enter the box. Then servo closed the cover for about 1 minute allowing the CO2 sensor to take the reading. The opening and closing action of the servo was controlled by Arduino, which further transferred the data to Raspberry pi (via USART protocol).

The CO2 emission level was displayed on touch-screen monitor and simultaneously got uploaded on Google cloud via firebase (Arduino’s raw data is integrated with firebase’s syntax by python programming). Hence, approximately every 1.5 minutes the CO2 emission data is uploaded in real time by R-Pi.

FUTURE SCOPE

Our prototype received a lot of appreciation from many automobile companies. These prototypes can be mass installed in automobiles after making required modifications. We can further extend the applications of this system by using Internet to point the driver to the nearest car maintenance on his/her device.