Pamantasan ng Montalban

Kasiglahan Village Rodriguez, Rizal

Department of Computer Engineering

“A Proposed Robo-Methane Gas Detector and Alarm System”

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Under the Supervision of
Engr. Joseph G. Battung

July 24, 2010

Prepared by:
Jamero, Romeo
Molino, April John
Macaraig, Jerome
Nulud, Ariel
Marquez, Marvin
Varilla, Ma. Mecca
Hendeve, Joseph Dominic
BSCpE 5-A
INTRODUCTION

Most people disregard the importance of gas detection devices

because they think they can rely on their senses all the time to tell whether
there is a leakage of methane gas in the vicinity. But the compelling thing
is that the olfactory sensory faculty of humans is too limited so as to serve
this good purpose. For instance, there are a considerable number of
gases that are odorless. These gases can invade surrounding air without
you knowing it, and the horrifying truth is that they may cause respiratory
arrest and death.

Gases are essential part of nature and it is through their presence

that life has become possible on earth. But there are instances when
certain kinds of gas are not just wanted. Different types of gases have
different properties. We are talking about density, molecular weight,
fluidity, viscosity, specific gravity, etc. It is due to these differences that
distinguishing of one gas from another has become possible.

These past few days few accidents are because of fire incidents,
and the reason behind this are that the gas tank are left open. These
incidents are because of the irresponsible use of the people of their gas
tanks. With the use of robo-gas detector, we can actually avoid things like
this to happen

Natural gas is an energy source that is commonly used in homes

for cooking, heating, and water heating. It is primarily composed of
methane. (Methane is a highly flammable chemical compound consisting
of one carbon atom surrounded by four hydrogen atoms.) Although it only
happens rarely, a natural gas leak can sometimes occur inside the home.
A natural gas leak can be dangerous because it increases the risk of fire
or explosion. Your local gas company works hard to provide adequate
warning in the event of a gas leak. Because methane—and therefore,
natural gas—does not have any odor, the gas company adds a warning
“rotten-egg” smell (mercaptan or a similar sulfur-based compound) that
can be easily detected by most people. However, people who have a
diminished sense of smell may not be able to rely upon this safety
mechanism. If you have a concern about your ability to smell the additive
that signals a gas leak, you need to see a physician and use a different
safety signal. A gas detector can be an important tool to help protect you
and your family.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In many instances, the presence of specific kinds of gases poses

risks. Chlorine is an irritant and highly reactive dense gas. Hydrogen is an
extremely combustible gaseous matter (note that it combines with oxygen
in an exothermic chemical process releasing water as a by-product).
Another highly flammable gaseous substance is methane which is
commonly found in many appliances at home.
A robo-gas detector purpose is to detect if there are somewhat
gasses around. Gasses is vital among people for various reasons, it can
affect our health and of course it cam cause fire.

The distance between your gas detector and the potential sources
of a gas leak is important. Gas detectors are similar to smoke detectors, in
that they need to be installed in a location where their audible warning is
likely to be heard and where the material of concern—natural gas—is
likely to accumulate, such as a basement. The installation instructions for
your gas detector will assist you in identifying appropriate locations in
which to install your detector. If you have multiple sources of natural gas in
your home, you might need two gas detectors or one detector with dual
sensors. This is especially true if the gas sources are spaced far apart.

The most common gases that may leak inside homes are carbon
monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and methane. These gases actually come
from different sources such as air conditioning units or heating systems or
gas stoves. Hence, it is necessary that home appliances be checked
regularly for defects and leakages. At the same time, installation of
methane gas monitoring device inside your rooms, especially in areas
where sources of methane gas are present, is just proper. This must be
done as a precautionary measure, as we would like to avoid the
unthinkable as much as possible.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The device is composed of a methane gas sensor and a loud

electronic horn that alarms if it detects a methane gas.

The robo-methane
patrolling around the
programmed range

If gas NO
is
methan
e
YES

The response mode

the machine triggers

The robot stops in

the area where it
detects a methane
gas

The robo-gas
alarms
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The major problem on why we thought that it is best for us to

develop this device is that we noticed that there are a lot of things that is
important for a particular place to have yet still there is none. And it is very
important for some establishments to have this device installed to ensure
safety among the people in it.

OJECTIVES

General Objective

The proposed project is basically aimed to alert people when there is a

dangerous gas that surrounds them in a certain area.

Specific Objectives

1. To avoid gas leaks.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

In the event of an accidental gas release, the gas detection system

is a vital tool for avoiding or reducing the consequences of a gas
explosion. When establishments are aware of the importance of a gas
detector then it is very much possible to reduce the rate of fire incidents.
The objective of the gas detection study is to assess and/or improve the
gas detection system with regard to preventing and mitigating gas
explosions.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

The main function of a robo-gas methane detector and alarm

system is to alarm when needed, to inform that there is a methane gas
detected in an area especially if there are parts in an area which is prone
to fire incidents.

The device is just a detector and alarm that alerts people but it
cannot clean the methane gas that it detects.