Real-Time Monitoring of Gas Station Underground Fuel Tanks Using IoT Technology

Abstract

The management of underground fuel storage in gas stations presents significant challenges, including imprecise level measurements, the absence of real-time monitoring capabilities, and potential safety hazards. Contemporary solutions predominantly rely on manual or rudimentary automated systems, lacking comprehensive data integration. This paper introduces an innovative Internet of Things (IoT) based Real-Time Monitoring of Gas Station Underground Fuel Tanks designed to address these critical issues. The proposed system integrates advanced sensing technologies: the HRXL MaxSonar WRIST ultrasonic sensor for fuel level detection, BMP280 for pressure monitoring, and DS18B20 for temperature measurement orchestrated by an ESP32 Devkit V1 microcontroller. This configuration enables high- precision, real-time monitoring of tank conditions. The primary innovation lies in the seamless integration of these components with a cloud-based data management system, utilising Wi-Fi technology for real-time data transmission to a Firebase database. To mitigate connectivity challenges 1 operations and lead to financial losses. It also plays a key role in ensuring the structural integrity of the tanks, preventing potential environmental hazards, and enabling efficient fuel distribution. Traditional methods of fuel tank management, often relying on manual dipstick measurements, are prone to human error, provide only periodic data, and lack real-time insights crucial for modern fuel management. These limitations can lead to inaccurate inventory management, potential safety hazards, and inefficient operations. While some automated systems exist, they often suffer from connectivity issues, limited data collection capabilities, or lack of integration with comprehensive management platforms. These shortcomings can result in data gaps, delayed decision making, and missed opportunities for operational optimization. in diverse operational environments, a dual-storage approach has been implemented: cloud-based storage for immediate data access and local SD card storage as a failsafe mechanism. This design ensures continuous data collection and integrity in areas characterised by unreliable network coverage. The methodologies involved gathering insights through interviews with professionals and management in the fuel station industry to ensure practical relevance and system efficacy. The system encompasses custom firmware development, the creation of an intuitive web-based interface, and rigorous testing in simulated environments. This study contributes significantly to the digitization and modernization of fuel station operations, enhancing safety protocols, mitigating environmental risks, and optimising inventory management processes.