Method for measuring precipitate thickness of brine pond

Abstract

This method for measuring the precipitate thickness of a brine pond comprises: a step for installing a pole in the brine pond, wherein the pole is provided in an upper portion with respect to the water surface of the brine pond and has two indicators spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the height direction of the pole; a step for obtaining an image by photographing the pole of the brine pond by using a camera; a step for calculating a first distance from an end of the pole exposed outside the water surface of the brine pond to the water surface of the brine pond and a second distance between the two indicators on the basis of processing the image; a step for calculating the depth of the brine pond on the basis of the first distance, the second distance, the length of the pole, and the preset distance; a step for measuring the water depth of the brine pond by using a water depth measurement sensor; and a step for calculating the precipitate thickness of the brine pond on the basis of the calculated depth of the brine pond and the measured water depth of the brine pond.

Description

Method for measuring the thickness of precipitates in a brine pond

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for accurately measuring the thickness of precipitates in a brine pond.

[0002] Technology for extracting lithium from brine ponds is playing an important role due to the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries.

[0003] Brine is naturally occurring high-salinity groundwater that usually contains various elements such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and boron in addition to lithium.

[0004] To extract lithium from a brine pond, a precipitate containing various elements must be obtained by evaporating the brine, and impurities must be removed from the obtained precipitate.

[0005] Meanwhile, the amount of precipitates precipitated in brine ponds is a factor that significantly affects lithium yield; therefore, to improve lithium yield, it is necessary to manage brine ponds by accurately measuring the amount of precipitates precipitated in them.

[0006] The present invention provides a method for rapidly and accurately measuring the thickness of precipitates in a brine pond.

[0007] The present invention provides a method for measuring the thickness of precipitates in a brine pond using a drone.

[0008] The technical problems to be solved in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs from the description below.

[0009] A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a step of installing a pole in the brine pond having two indicators spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the height direction, provided in an upper portion based on the water surface of the brine pond; a step of obtaining an image by photographing the pole using a camera; a step of calculating a first distance from the end of the pole to the water surface of the brine pond and a second distance between the two indicators based on processing the image; a step of calculating the depth of the brine pond based on the first distance, the second distance, the length of the pole, and the predetermined distance; a step of measuring the depth of the brine pond using a depth measuring sensor; and a step of calculating the thickness of the precipitate in the brine pond based on the calculated depth of the brine pond and the measured depth of the brine pond.

[0010] The step of calculating the depth of the brine pond may include determining the actual distance from the end of the pole to the surface of the brine pond by multiplying the ratio between the first distance and the second distance by the preset distance, and calculating the depth of the brine pond by subtracting the determined actual distance from the length of the pole.

[0011] The step of calculating the thickness of the precipitate of the brine pond may include the step of calculating the thickness of the precipitate of the brine pond by subtracting the measured water depth of the brine pond from the depth of the brine pond calculated above.

[0012] The step of calculating the first distance may include the step of identifying the surface of the salt pond in the image by inputting the image into a surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model, and determining the distance from the identified surface of the salt pond in the image to the end of the pole as the first distance.

[0013] The above camera may be installed on a drone.

[0014] The step of acquiring the above image may include moving the drone to a target position such that the portion including the two indicators provided on the pole, the end portion of the pole, and the portion where the pole contacts the surface of the salt pond are included within the shooting area.

[0015] The above depth measuring sensor may be installed on a drone.

[0016] The above depth measuring sensor may include an ultrasonic sensor.

[0017] Each of the two indicators may include an auxiliary pole extending in a direction intersecting the height direction of the pole.

[0018] Each of the two indicators above may include a reflector that reflects electromagnetic waves.

[0019] The method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in the above-mentioned brine pond may further include the step of calculating the tilt angle of the pond based on processing the above-mentioned image; and the step of correcting the calculated thickness of the precipitate based on the tilt angle.

[0020] The step of calculating the tilt angle of the above-mentioned pole may include the step of identifying the surface of the salt pond in the image by inputting the image into a surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model, and determining the angle formed by a plane corresponding to the identified surface of the salt pond in the image and a straight line corresponding to the pole identified in the image as the tilt angle of the pole.

[0021] The method for measuring the thickness of the precipitate in the above-mentioned brine pond may further include the step of installing a pendulum at the end of the pole.

[0022] A pendulum may be installed at the end of the above pole.

[0023] The step of calculating the tilt angle of the pole may include determining the angle between a first straight line corresponding to the pole identified in the image and a second straight line connecting the end of the pole identified in the image and the bob of the pendulum as the tilt angle of the pole.

[0024] The method for measuring the thickness of the precipitate in the brine pond may further include the step of calculating the lithium yield based on the measured depth of the brine pond and the calculated thickness of the precipitate in the brine pond.

[0025] Of the two indicators above, the lower indicator may be positioned closer to the end of the pole than the surface of the brine pond.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the manager of a brine pond does not need to manually measure the thickness of the precipitates in the brine pond.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond can be measured quickly and accurately.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, precipitates in a brine pond can be measured without removing the brine remaining in the brine pond.

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates the appearance of a workplace where multiple brine ponds are arranged.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond according to one embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a pole installed in a brine pond according to one embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of photographing a pole and measuring the depth of a salt pond according to one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a drawing for comparing the actual appearance of a pole according to one embodiment with an image obtained by photographing the pole.

[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates the process of inputting an image obtained by photographing a pole according to one embodiment into a trained artificial intelligence model.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation for calculating the depth of a brine pond when the pole is tilted according to one embodiment.

[0036] The embodiments described in this document and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely preferred examples of the disclosed invention, and various modifications that may replace the embodiments and drawings of this specification may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0037] The terms used in this document are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit or restrict the disclosed invention.

[0038] For example, in this specification, singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039] In this document, each of the phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0040] The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple related described components or any of the multiple related described components. For example, "A and / or B" may include only "A," only "B," or both "A and B."

[0041] Additionally, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to express the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude the additional existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0042] When it is said that a component is "connected," "combined," "supported," or "in contact" with another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, combined, supported, or in contact, but also cases where they are indirectly connected, combined, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0043] When it is said that a component is located "on" another component, this includes not only cases where one component is in contact with the other, but also cases where another component exists between the two components.

[0044] Meanwhile, terms such as "front," "rear," "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" used in the following description are defined based on the drawings; however, the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms. For example, the front side may be defined as the +X side and the rear side as the -X side. For example, based on the drawings, the right side may be defined as the +Y side and the left side as the -Y side. For example, based on the drawings, the top side may be defined as the +Z side and the bottom side as the -Z side.

[0045] In addition, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish one component from another and do not limit the components.

[0046] In addition, terms such as "~part," "~unit," "~block," "~part," and "~module" may refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation. For example, the terms may refer to at least one piece of hardware such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), at least one piece of software stored in memory, or at least one process processed by a processor.

[0047] An embodiment of the disclosed invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Identical reference numbers or symbols in the attached drawings may indicate parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

[0048] The operating principle and embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0049] Figure 1 illustrates the appearance of a workplace where multiple brine ponds are arranged.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, the workspace for extracting lithium may include one or more brine ponds (br).

[0051] A brine pond (br) may refer to an artificial lake or puddle used in the process of extracting lithium by evaporating lithium-containing brine (saltwater).

[0052] The total depth (or total height) (hm) of the brine pond (br) can be preset as a depth at which efficient lithium extraction is possible.

[0053] The formation step of the brine pond (br) may include the process of digging a pit having a predetermined depth (hm) and the process of injecting brine into the pit.

[0054] The brine in the brine pond (br) can naturally evaporate due to natural factors such as sunlight and wind, and as the brine evaporates, the lithium concentration in the brine may gradually increase.

[0055] When brine evaporates, various salts and minerals dissolved in the brine may precipitate as their concentration increases, forming solid precipitates.

[0056] Sediments accumulate on the bottom surface of a brine pond (br), and the degree of brine evaporation can be indirectly estimated based on the thickness (or amount) of these sediments.

[0057] If the extent of brine evaporation is estimated, the lithium concentration of the brine remaining in the brine pond (br) can be estimated.

[0058] If the lithium concentration in the brine is determined to be sufficiently high—that is, if the brine is sufficiently concentrated—the concentrated brine can be collected and subjected to additional chemical processing to extract lithium.

[0059] In other words, estimating the thickness of the precipitate can serve as an important factor in estimating the lithium yield of the brine remaining in the brine pond (br).

[0060] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond according to one embodiment.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 2, a method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond may include the step (1000) of installing a pole in the brine pond.

[0062] The step (1000) of installing a pole in a brine pond may include fixing the pole to the bottom of the brine pond.

[0063] The pole can be fixed to the bottom of the salt pond and extended in the opposite direction of gravity.

[0064] A pole can be referred to as a column, stick, support, pole, etc.

[0065] The step (1000) of installing a pole in the brine pond may be performed before injecting brine into the brine pond, or it may be performed after injecting brine into the brine pond. However, preferably, the step (1000) of installing a pole in the brine pond may be performed before precipitates are precipitated in the brine pond.

[0066] If a pole is installed in a brine pond before precipitates form, the height of the pole relative to the water surface (or referred to as the surface) of the brine pond is not altered by the precipitates even after they form.

[0067] FIG. 3 illustrates a pole installed in a brine pond according to one embodiment.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 3, a pole (P) installed in a brine pond may have a predetermined height (Dp). For convenience of explanation, this predetermined height (Dp) is referred to as the height (Dp) of the pole (P).

[0069] The height (Dp) of the pole (P) can be designed to be greater than the total depth (hm) of the brine pond. Accordingly, the height (Dp) of the pole (P) can be greater than the depth (hd) of the brine pond, and a portion of the pole (P) can be exposed above the surface of the brine stored in the brine pond.

[0070] The pole (P) may include a body (Pd) that is fixed to the bottom of the brine pond and extends in the opposite direction of gravity, and at least two indicators (id1, id2) provided on the body (Pd).

[0071] In the present invention, the height direction of the pole (P) may refer to the direction in which the pole (P) is extended.

[0072] When the pole (P) is installed in a saltwater pond, the height direction of the pole (P) may be opposite to the direction of gravity.

[0073] In the present invention, the height direction of the pole (P) can be defined as the vertical direction. The direction intersecting (or perpendicular) to the height direction of the pole (P) can be defined as the horizontal direction.

[0074] Indicators (id1, id2) can be used to calculate the depth of the salt pond.

[0075] Indicators (id1, id2) may be provided in three or more ways to improve calculation accuracy, but for the convenience of explanation, it is assumed that two indicators (id1, id2) are provided.

[0076] Two indicators (id1, id2) can be spaced apart by a preset distance (Db) in the height direction of the pole (P).

[0077] The preset distance (Db) can be preset by the designer as a distance that is visually identifiable.

[0078] Two indicators (id1, id2) can be provided in the upper part relative to the water surface of the brine pond. That is, the two indicators (id1, id2) can be placed at a position higher than the depth (hm) of the brine pond in the pole (P).

[0079] In one embodiment, two indicators (id1, id2) may include a first indicator (id1) placed at a first point of the pole (P) and a second indicator (id2) placed at a second point below the first point of the pole (P).

[0080] In one embodiment, among the two indicators (id1, id2), the indicator (id2) located lower can be positioned closer to the end of the pole (P) than the surface of the brine pond.

[0081] That is, the distance (h1) between the second indicator (id2) and the surface of the salt pond may be smaller than the distance (h2) between the second indicator (id2) and the end of the pole (P).

[0082] In the present invention, the end of the pole (P) may refer to the end portion of the pole (P) exposed outside the surface of the brine pond.

[0083] According to the present embodiment, when the brine of the brine pond is shaken by the influence of wind or the like, the indicator (id1, id2) can be prevented from being contaminated.

[0084] In one embodiment, two indicators (id1, id2) may each include an auxiliary pole extending in a direction that intersects (or is perpendicular) with the height direction of the pole (P). The auxiliary pole may be referred to as a crossbar, a horizontal bar, etc., in that it extends in a direction (horizontal direction) that intersects with the height direction (vertical direction) of the pole (P).

[0085] According to the present invention, since two indicators (id1, id2) are each extended in a direction intersecting the height direction of the pole (P), the distance between the two indicators (id1, id2) can be more easily identified even if the pole (P) is contaminated.

[0086] In one embodiment, the two indicators (id1, id2) may each include a reflector that reflects electromagnetic waves.

[0087] Since the two indicators (id1, id2) each include a reflector, the distance between the two indicators (id1, id2) can be more easily identified when using various sensors.

[0088] For example, if the method for measuring the distance between two indicators (id1, id2) includes the operation of acquiring an image through a camera, the reflector can reflect light having a predetermined wavelength so that the two indicators (id1, id2) can be easily identified on the image acquired through the camera.

[0089] A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond may include the operation (1100) of obtaining an image by photographing a pole installed in the brine pond using a camera.

[0090] In one embodiment, the operation (1100) of capturing an image by photographing a pole installed in a brine pond can be performed by various entities.

[0091] For example, operation 1100 may be performed directly by a manager or by an unmanned robot.

[0092] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of photographing a pole and measuring the depth of a salt pond according to one embodiment.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, operation 1100 can be performed by a drone (10).

[0094] The drone (10) may include a camera (102).

[0095] The drone (10) may include a depth measuring sensor (105).

[0096] The depth measuring sensor (105) may include an ultrasonic sensor that transmits and receives ultrasonic signals, but any sensor capable of measuring depth through the transmission and reception of radio waves may be adopted as the depth measuring sensor (105) without limitation.

[0097] The depth measuring sensor (105) can transmit radio waves (e.g., ultrasound) in the direction of gravity and receive radio waves reflected by an object located in the direction of gravity.

[0098] Meanwhile, radio waves can pass through liquid water but cannot pass through solid precipitates (pp). Accordingly, the depth measuring sensor (105) can receive radio waves reflected by the precipitates (pp).

[0099] The depth measuring sensor (105) can measure the depth of the salt pond based on the difference between the time when the radio wave is transmitted and the time when the radio wave reflected by the precipitate (pp) is received.

[0100] In the present invention, the water depth measured by the water depth measuring sensor (105) may be the water level (hwt) of the brine (wt) excluding the thickness (hpp) of the precipitate (pp).

[0101] Operation 1100 may include acquiring an image that includes a portion containing two indicators (id1, id2) provided on the pole (P), a portion of the pole's end, and a portion of the pole that comes into contact with the surface of the salt pond.

[0102] To this end, operation 1100 may include moving the drone (10) to a target location such that the portion including two indicators (id1, id2) provided on the pole (P), the end portion of the pole, and the portion where the pole contacts the surface of the salt pond are included within the shooting area (Fov). The target location may be pre-set according to the installation location of the pole (P) and may be identified by the drone (10).

[0103] The drone (10) can drive autonomously based on images obtained through the camera (102) and can autonomously move to a target position such that the part including two indicators (id1, id2) provided on the pole (P), the end part of the pole, and the part where the pole comes into contact with the surface of the salt pond are included within the shooting area (Fov).

[0104] The drone (10) may include a memory that stores or remembers a program and / or data for controlling the drone (10), and a processor that outputs a control signal to control the operation of the drone (10) according to the program and / or data stored in the memory.

[0105] The processor controls the overall operation of the drone (10). The processor can control the components of the drone (10) by executing a program stored in memory. The processor may include a separate NPU that performs the operation of an artificial intelligence model. Additionally, the processor may include a central processing unit, a graphics processor (GPU), etc.

[0106] FIG. 5 is a drawing for comparing the actual appearance of a pole according to one embodiment with an image obtained by photographing the pole.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 5, a method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond may include an operation (1200) of calculating the distance from the end of the pole (P) to the surface of the brine pond (hereinafter ‘first distance (d1)’) and the distance between two indicators (id1, id2) (hereinafter ‘second distance (d2)’) based on processing an image (Im) obtained by photographing the pole (P).

[0108] In one embodiment, the operation (1200) of calculating a first distance (d1) and a second distance (d2) based on processing an image (Im) can be performed by a processor provided in the drone (10).

[0109] In one embodiment, the operation (1200) of calculating a first distance (d1) and a second distance (d2) based on processing an image (Im) may be performed by a processor provided in an external device (e.g., a computing device). To this end, the drone (10) may transmit the acquired image (Im) to the external device by photographing the pole (P) in a wireless communication manner, and the external device may calculate the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2) based on processing the image (Im) received from the drone (10).

[0110] Calculating the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2) based on processing the image (Im) may include determining the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2) in the image (Im).

[0111] That is, the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2) may differ from the actual distance from the end of the pole (P) to the surface of the salt pond and the actual distance (Db) between the two indicators (id1, id2). Here, the actual distance (Db) between the two indicators (id1, id2) corresponds to a preset distance (Db).

[0112] FIG. 6 illustrates the process of inputting an image obtained by photographing a pole according to one embodiment into a trained artificial intelligence model.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 6, processing the image (Im) may include identifying the surface of a salt pond in the image (Im) by inputting the image (Im) into a pre-trained artificial intelligence model (ML) (e.g., a surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model).

[0114] The surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model (ML) is a model that performs visualization of a transparent object (e.g., salt water) and may be a model trained to identify the boundary line (bb1) of a transparent object.

[0115] The surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model (ML) can identify the boundary line (bb2) of not only transparent objects (saltwater) but also non-transparent objects (e.g., pole (P)).

[0116] Surface normal estimation artificial intelligence models (ML) may include, for example, ClearGrasp.

[0117] When an image (Im) is input into a surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model (ML), the boundary line (bb1) of the brine can be identified.

[0118] When an image (Im) is input into a surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model (ML), the boundary line (bb2) of the pole (P) can be identified.

[0119] According to various embodiments, inputting an image (Im) into a surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model (ML) may include inputting the image (Im) into the surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model (ML) and then applying an edge detection algorithm.

[0120] Calculating the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2) based on processing the image (Im) may include inputting the image (Im) into a surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model (ML) and calculating the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2) based on the processed image (Imp) obtained.

[0121] A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond may include an operation (1300) of calculating the depth of the brine pond based on a first distance (d1), a second distance (d2), the length (Dp) of a pole (P), and a preset distance (Db).

[0122] The ratio between the actual distance (Dr) from the surface of the salt pond to the end of the pole (P) and the preset distance (Db) may be the same as the ratio between the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2).

[0123] Accordingly, the actual distance (Dr) from the surface of the salt pond to the end of the pole (P) can be calculated by [Equation 1] as follows.

[0124] [Mathematical Formula 1]

[0125] Dr = Db*d1 / d2

[0126] That is, the operation (1300) for calculating the depth of the salt pond may include the operation of determining the actual distance (Dr) from the surface of the salt pond to the end of the pole (P) by multiplying the ratio (d1 / d2) between the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2) by a preset distance (Db).

[0127] If the actual distance (Dr) from the surface of the salt pond to the end of the pole (P) is known, the depth (hd) of the salt pond can be calculated by subtracting the actual distance (Dr) from the surface of the salt pond to the end of the pole (P) from the length (Dp) of the pole (P).

[0128] Since the pole (P) is fixed to the bottom of the brine pond, the value calculated by subtracting the actual distance (Dr) from the water surface of the brine pond to the end of the pole (P) from the length (Dp) of the pole (P) may be the sum of the depth (hwt) of the brine (wt) and the thickness (hpp) of the precipitate (pp) (hd).

[0129] That is, in the present invention, the depth (hwt) of the brine pond may refer to the water level of the brine, and the depth (hd) of the brine pond may refer to the value obtained by adding the brine level and the thickness of the precipitate.

[0130] In the present invention, the depth (hd) of the brine pond calculated based on the first distance (d1), the second distance (d2), the length (Dp) of the pole (P), and the preset distance (Db) may be the sum of the thickness (hpp) of the precipitate (pp) and the depth (hwt) of the brine (wt).

[0131] A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond may include an operation (1400) of measuring the depth of water in the brine pond using a depth measuring sensor (105).

[0132] The operation (1400) of measuring the depth of the brine pond may be performed prior to operations 1100, 1200 and 1300, and there is no restriction on the order of the operations.

[0133] Operation 1400 may be performed directly by a manager or by an unmanned robot.

[0134] As previously described, in one embodiment, operation 1400 can be performed by a depth measuring sensor (105) installed on the drone (10).

[0135] The depth measured by the depth measuring sensor (105) may be the depth (hwt) of the brine (wt) excluding the thickness (hpp) of the precipitate (pp).

[0136] A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond may include an operation (1500) of calculating the thickness (hpp) of a precipitate (pp) based on the depth (hd) of the brine pond calculated by operation 1300 and the depth (hwt) of the brine pond measured by operation 1400.

[0137] Calculating the thickness (hpp) of the precipitate (pp) based on the calculated depth (hd) of the brine pond and the measured depth (hwt) of the brine pond may include calculating the thickness (hpp) of the precipitate (pp) by subtracting the measured depth (hwt) of the brine pond from the calculated depth (hd) of the brine pond.

[0138] Operations 1200, 1300, and 1500 may be performed by a drone (10) or by an external device.

[0139] According to the present invention, the thickness (hpp) of a precipitate (pp) can be identified by photographing a pole without the need for a worker to directly measure the thickness of the precipitate.

[0140] Furthermore, the lithium yield of the brine (wt) can be calculated based on the thickness (hpp) of the precipitate of the resulting brine pond.

[0141] For example, a method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond may further include the operation of calculating the lithium yield of the brine (wt) based on the ratio of the measured depth (hwt) of the brine pond and the thickness of the precipitate (hpp).

[0142] According to the present invention, the thickness (hpp) of a precipitate (pp) can be accurately identified by correcting image distortion using two indicators (id1, id2).

[0143] Meanwhile, even when the pole (P) is tilted due to external factors such as strong wind, it is necessary to accurately identify the thickness (hpp) of the precipitate (pp).

[0144] In one embodiment, the method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond may further include the operation of calculating the tilt angle of the pole (P) and correcting the precipitate thickness (hpp) calculated by operation 1500 based on the tilt angle of the pole (P).

[0145] The inclination angle of the pole (P) may refer to the degree to which the pole (P) is tilted from the direction of gravity. The inclination angle of the pole (P) may refer to the angle formed between the pole (P) and the bottom surface of the salt pond.

[0146] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation for calculating the depth of a brine pond when the pole is tilted according to one embodiment.

[0147] Referring to Fig. 7, a pendulum (pm) may be installed at the end of the pole (P).

[0148] In one embodiment, the method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond may further include the operation of installing a pendulum (pm) at the end of a pole (P).

[0149] The pendulum (pm) may include a string (rd) that is fixed to the end of the pole (P) and extends in the direction of gravity, and a weight (mc) connected to the end of the string.

[0150] Assuming that the tilt angle of the pole (P) is θ1°, the angle between the pole (P) and the pendulum string (rd) can be θ1°. Here, the angle θ2°, which is the angle between the pole (P) and the straight line corresponding to the surface of the salt pond, can be 90°-θ1°.

[0151] In one embodiment, the operation of calculating the tilt angle of the pole (P) may include determining the angle between a first straight line corresponding to the pole (P) identified in the image (Imp) and a second straight line (rd) connecting the end of the pole (P) identified in the image (Imp) and the bob (mc) of the pendulum (pm) as the tilt angle (θ1°) of the pole (P).

[0152] According to various embodiments, when a pendulum (pm) is not installed at the end of the pole (P), the operation of calculating the tilt angle of the pole (P) may include determining the angle formed by a plane (bb1) corresponding to the surface of the salt pond identified in the image (Imp) and a straight line corresponding to the pole identified in the image (Imp) as the tilt angle (θ2°) of the pole (P).

[0153] In one embodiment, the operation of correcting the precipitate thickness (hpp) calculated by operation 1500 based on the tilt angle of the pole (P) may include correcting the precipitate thickness (hpp) based on the following [Equation 2] or [Equation 3].

[0154] [Mathematical Formula 2]

[0155] hppf = hpp*cos(θ1°)

[0156] [Mathematical Formula 3]

[0157] hppf = hpp*cos(θ2°-90°)

[0158] Here, hppf may be the corrected precipitate thickness (hpp).

[0159] According to the present invention, the thickness of the precipitate (hpp) can be calculated more accurately even if the pole (P) is tilted.

[0160] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operation of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0161] Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording media that store instructions that can be decoded by a computer. Examples include ROM (read-only memory), RAM (random access memory), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage devices, etc.

[0162] Additionally, computer-readable recording media may be provided in the form of non-transitory storage media. Here, 'non-transitory storage media' simply means that it is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily. For example, 'non-transitory storage media' may include a buffer in which data is stored temporarily.

[0163] According to one embodiment, the method according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable recording medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed online (e.g., download or upload) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or temporarily created on a device-readable recording medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0164] As described above, the disclosed embodiments have been explained with reference to the attached drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be practiced in forms different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be interpreted restrictively.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the thickness of precipitates in a brine pond, A step of installing a pole in the brine pond having two indicators spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the height direction, provided in the upper part based on the water surface of the brine pond; A step of obtaining an image by photographing the above pole using a camera; A step of calculating a first distance from the end of the pole exposed outside the surface of the brine pond to the surface of the brine pond and a second distance between the two indicators based on processing the above image; A step of calculating the depth of the brine pond based on the first distance, the second distance, the length of the pole, and the preset distance; A step of measuring the depth of water of the brine pond using a depth measuring sensor; and A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond, comprising the step of calculating the thickness of the precipitate in the brine pond based on the depth of the brine pond calculated above and the depth of the brine pond measured above.

2. In Paragraph 1, The step of calculating the depth of the above-mentioned brine pond is, A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond, comprising the step of determining the actual distance from the end of the pole to the surface of the brine pond by multiplying the ratio between the first distance and the second distance by the preset distance, and calculating the depth of the brine pond by subtracting the determined actual distance from the length of the pole.

3. In Paragraph 1, The step of calculating the thickness of the precipitate in the above-mentioned brine pond is, A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond, comprising the step of calculating the thickness of the precipitate in the brine pond by subtracting the measured depth of the brine pond from the depth of the brine pond calculated above.

4. In Paragraph 1, The step of calculating the first distance above is, A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond, comprising the step of identifying the surface of the brine pond in the image by inputting the image into a surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model, and determining the distance from the identified surface of the brine pond in the image to the end of the pond as the first distance.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above camera is a method for measuring the thickness of precipitates in a brine pond, installed on a drone.

6. In Paragraph 5, The step of acquiring the above image is, A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond, comprising the step of moving the drone to a target position such that the portion including the two indicators provided on the pole, the end portion of the pole, and the portion where the pole contacts the surface of the brine pond are included within the shooting area.

7. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned depth measuring sensor is a method for measuring the thickness of precipitates in a brine pond, installed on a drone.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above-described depth measuring sensor is a method for measuring the thickness of precipitates in a brine pond, including an ultrasonic sensor.

9. In Paragraph 1, A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond, wherein each of the two indicators includes an auxiliary pole extending in a direction intersecting the height direction of the pole.

10. In Paragraph 1, A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond, each containing a reflector that reflects electromagnetic waves, using the two indicators above.

11. In Paragraph 1, A step of calculating the tilt angle of the pole based on processing the above image; and A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond, further comprising the step of correcting the thickness of the precipitate in the brine pond calculated based on the above-mentioned inclination angle.

12. In Paragraph 11, The step of calculating the inclination angle of the above pole is, A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond, comprising the step of inputting the above image into a surface normal estimation artificial intelligence model to identify the surface of the brine pond in the above image, and determining the angle formed by a plane corresponding to the identified surface of the brine pond in the above image and a straight line corresponding to the identified pole in the above image as the angle of inclination of the pole.

13. In Paragraph 11, A pendulum is installed at the end of the above pole, and The step of calculating the inclination angle of the above pole is, A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond, comprising the step of determining the angle between a first straight line corresponding to the pole identified in the image above and a second straight line connecting the end of the pole identified in the image above and the bob of the pendulum as the inclination angle of the pole.

14. In Paragraph 1, A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond, further comprising the step of calculating a lithium yield based on the depth of the brine pond measured above and the thickness of the precipitate in the brine pond calculated above.

15. In Paragraph 1, Among the two indicators above, the indicator located at the bottom is, A method for measuring the thickness of a precipitate in a brine pond that is positioned closer to the end of the pond than to the surface of the brine pond.

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