Modular system and method for determining air quality

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for measuring and diagnosing air quality and heat islands at a granular level. The system comprises at least one physical device capable of monitoring and reporting in real time air quality variables such as PM2.5, PM10, temperature, relative humidity, and NO2 as a criterion pollutant. The invention also includes a casing capable of protecting the electronics of the device against weather elements and designed to ensure stable airflow inside same, thereby making measurements more accurate as well as eliminating vibrations in the environment. The at least one device includes the necessary means to transmit the measurements to a cloud-based processing system for diagnosing the heat island.

Description

MODULAR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING HEAT ISLANDS I Technical sector

[0001] The present invention falls within the technical field of measurement systems and devices for measuring particulate matter, nitrous dioxide, temperature, relative humidity and location in the air, which are used to map and diagnose the formation of heat islands. Background of the invention

[0002] Patent Document 1: W02020041224A1: Shoulder-mounted real-time air quality measuring device and air quality device calibration system.

[0003] Document W02020041224 A1 relates to an air quality measurement device, including a shoulder-worn housing, designed to obtain measurements of direct human exposure. This housing incorporates an air inlet directed towards the user's breathing zone. An air quality sensor and an air pump inside the housing are connected in-line between the air inlet and outlet. To improve data quality, a calibration and zeroing system was designed and tested so that the data can be used for research or academic purposes.

[0004] In that document, it is mentioned that the concentration of nitrous oxide (NO2) is measured. However, the purpose of measuring NO2 concentration does not serve the same function as in the present invention, where nitrous oxide is used to determine the ambient concentration level of an outdoor or indoor area. Using all the measurements from the various sensors, it is possible to map and generate analyses and graphs of urban heat islands. An advantage of the present invention is that it It can perform mapping using a modular system and data generated by different meters distributed in the geographical area of ​​interest. [00051 Patent Document 2: KR101089609B1: Heat Island Measurement Equipment. The invention described in document KR101089609B1 corresponds to a device for measuring the urban heat island phenomenon of each type of road, including the measurement of traffic, meteorological effects, as well as elements that make up the road (paved surface and vegetation surface). The data are stored in a storage unit, transmitted by a communication unit and by a central management device, the latter of which analyzes and evaluates the urban heat island effect data that is installed at each point of the road.

[0006] The present invention is based on the use of air quality data such as the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 particles, as well as the concentration of NO2 to carry out the determination of heat islands, so that the device or teachings of KR101089609B1 could not be used to arrive at the present invention.

[0007] Patent Document 3: CN207689697U. Device for measuring the heat island effect on university campuses. The invention described in document CN207689697U relates to a device for measuring the heat island effect on university campuses. It includes sensors for temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The sensors are wirelessly interconnected, which facilitates data processing and management so that the data can be wirelessly transmitted to a terminal processor and ultimately analyzed.

[0008] Unlike the measuring device described in CN207689697U, the present invention is based on the use of air quality data such as PM 2.5 particles, PM 10, T, RH, NO2, and device location, which are the parameters used by the data processing module equation to generate the indices under which heat islands are generated, so the prediction and generation of heat islands will be different.

[0009] Patent Document 4: CN 108680281 A. Urban heat island effect monitoring system based on a temperature sensor.

[0010] The invention described in document CN108680281 A provides a system for monitoring the urban heat island effect based on temperature sensors. Temperature data is collected in real time, processed, and stored in the cloud. It is then remotely transmitted to a statistical temperature prediction module, which performs prediction, evaluation, and early warning of the received data, feeding it to the environmental monitoring department.

[0011] The present invention is a system that collects a series of measurements from different sensors, such as the NO2 sensor and the PM10 and PM2.5 suspended particle sensors, and processes the information to generate heat islands without needing to send data to another system that performs the analysis and prediction of the result.

[0012] Patent Document 5: CN216348753U. Automatic monitoring and feedback device based on high urban heat island temperatures.

[0013] The invention described in document CN216348753U consists of an automatic device for monitoring and providing feedback on the effects of high temperatures in urban heat islands. It comprises a wall-mounted base with a mechanism to prevent the screws from loosening and to protect the device from rain and impacts. Its design allows water to flow through a card tray, dripping onto the monitoring head for cleaning. The patent describes the device's components and installation.

[0014] For its part, the system of the present invention does not measure the effects of warming in urban areas, but rather determines heat islands based on the measurement of different parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles, as well as NO2 concentration. Object of the invention

[0015] An object of the invention is to provide a device capable of performing various measurements, analyzing them, and presenting the results to the user as a novel way of measuring urban heat islands. Key aspects of the device include: a PM10 and PM2.5 particle measurement sensor, nitrous oxide gas as a component of the device, communication capabilities that can utilize the modem function of a cellular device, a housing specifically designed for the system components of the invention, and an interconnection between the different system modules.

[0016] The device of the present invention has the functionality to apply different methods of processing the data obtained to be applicable in areas such as medicine.

[0017] The present invention focuses on the environmental area, specifically on Urban Heat Islands, where the device brings several new features to the way of measuring UHIs, such as the monitoring of nitrous oxide NO2, the measurement of PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles, as well as communication between different systems through Wifi connectivity and cellular communication network.

[0018] The nitrous oxide (NO2) monitoring sensor is integrated with an electrochemical cell that measures the concentration of NO2 in the environment. The PM2.5 and PM10 sensor is configured to determine the amount of PM2.5 and PM10 particles in the surrounding environment using a laser light sensor. The relative humidity and temperature sensors are solid-state sensors, and both are designed to measure these environmental characteristics.

[0019] All the sensors mentioned are strategically arranged within a functional housing. The housing has an opening at the bottom that allows air containing the contaminants to be measured to enter. The housing's shape is designed to minimize noise during measurements and protect the electronics from the environment.

[0020] The sensors are programmed to take parameter measurements every minute, including measurements of contaminants in the area where the device is located.

[0021] One aspect of the invention is that all sensors simultaneously transmit information to the centralized platform via Wi-Fi or cellular network. Once the centralized platform or cloud receives the measurement data, it processes the individual information from each device. Using a modeling algorithm based on equations that generate real-time indices of particle presence associated with the formation of urban heat islands, these indices are compared to reference indices. Once the sensor data reaches the cloud-based processing module, it is possible to generate a heat index analysis, which allows for the interpolation and construction of an Urban Heat Island map for a specific urban area.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention is the fact that the devices establish communication with the centralized platform, however, they do not communicate with each other, since the network of devices can range from one device to n devices. Brief description of the invention

[0023] The present invention relates to a modular system and method for granular air quality determination and urban heat island diagnosis. The system comprises at least one physical device capable of monitoring and reporting air quality variables in real time, such as PM2.5, PM10, temperature, relative humidity, and NO2 concentration as a criterion gas. The system includes a housing configured to protect all the device's electronic components from the effects of use and constant exposure to the elements. The housing's design improves airflow from the outside to the inside of the system to achieve more accurate and stable measurements and to eliminate vibrations in the surrounding environment. The system of the present invention includes the necessary means for transmitting the measurement signals from the sensors and for calculating the index. from heat island to a central processing system hosted in the cloud. Thus, the device of the present invention is configured to receive and process the data obtained by the sensors, generating the necessary indices for the generation of a heat island, resulting in the emission and visualization of a diagnosis, through said heat island and air quality indices. Brief description of the figures Fig.1

[0024] [Fig.1] Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the different modules that make up the system of the present invention. Fig.2A

[0025] [Fig.2A] Figure 2A is a three-dimensional representation of the system of the present invention, in which the general shape of the system, as well as the air inlet openings, fastening means, and support structure, can be identified. Fig.2B

[0026] [Fig.2B] Figure 2B shows an interior view of the housing of the system of the present invention, in which the base with ventilation holes of the system can be seen. Fig. 3

[0027] [Fig.3] Figure 3 refers to a block diagram representing the information flow and determinations of each module of the system of the invention. Fig.4

[0028] [Fig.4] Figure 4 represents the communication between at least one field parameter measurement device and the cloud-hosted database, allowing data exchange and on-screen presentation of the urban heat island measurement diagnosis. Detailed description of the invention

[0029] The present invention discloses the system (1000) and method (2000) for measuring and diagnosing heat islands.

[0030] Figure 1 shows the system (1000) comprising a device for measuring and diagnosing urban heat islands (1100), and an environmentally protective housing (1300), which is explained in more detail in Figures 2A and 2B. The system (1000) also includes an algorithm for data processing and generating heat indices (1200), electrical energy (1400), air circulation with turbulence (1500), air circulation without turbulence (1600), and the user (1700).

[0031] Figure 4 shows a schematic of the configuration of the real-time environmental parameter measurement devices and the two-way communication generated between the device (1100) and the cloud database (1210).

[0032] In stage 1 (2100) of the urban heat island measurement and diagnostic method (2000), Figure 3, a device (1100) is used to perform urban heat island measurements. It is designed to measure relative humidity via sensor (1110), temperature via sensor (1120), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) via sensor (1130), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) via sensor (1140), and location via the georeferenced sensor (1180) in order to monitor and report the aforementioned air quality variables and heat island index in real time.

[0033] These variables are found in the ambient air (1600) without turbulence. Turbulent air (1500) containing the particles and gases to be measured is introduced into the device through the side openings (1390) in Figure 2A and the ventilation holes (1362) in Figure 2A, converting the turbulent air (1500) into air without turbulence (1600). This makes it easier to measure the variables and prevents noise from appearing in the component measurements when they are plotted.

[0034] In stage 2 (2200) of the urban heat island measurement and diagnosis method (2000) in figure 3, the internal concavity of the lid (1320) is housed The electronics, the georeferencer (1180) and the humidity (1110), temperature (1120), NO2 (1130), PM2.5 and PM10 (1140) sensors to perform the monitoring and measurement of particles and gases, both air quality and environmental conditions in its specific environment.

[0035] The device has a georeferenced (1180) to send the location of the device and to generate a point in space that helps to map the urban heat island.

[0036] In stage 3 (2300) of the urban heat island measurement and diagnosis method (2000) in Figure 3, the environmental measurements along with their location are processed (1200) temporally and spatially in the microcontroller (1160).

[0037] In stage 4 (2400) of the urban heat island measurement and diagnosis method (2000) in figure 3, information is sent to the cloud and database (1210) by means of the wireless antenna (1170) and the transmitter (1150) which has a wifi (1151) or cellular (1152) communication.

[0038] In stage 5 (2500) of the urban heat island measurement and diagnosis method (2000) in Figure 3, information is received in the database (1210) by means of the wireless receiver (1230). The cloud (1210) serves to centralize and store the temporal and spatial information of the environmental variables, thus enabling their large-scale analysis.

[0039] In stage 6 (2600) of the urban heat island measurement and diagnosis method (2000) shown in Figure 3, a heat island interpolation algorithm is available within the cloud platform (1210). This algorithm allows the heat island indices, measured by the urban heat island device (1100) and subsequently stored in the cloud (1210), to be processed and displayed as a point for interpolation and generation of the heat island map in conjunction with data from other devices.

[0040] In stage 7 (2700) of the urban heat island measurement and diagnostic method (2000), shown in Figure 3, the cloud platform (1210) displays the point reconstruction of the surveyed heat island data in the dashboard display module (1220). The results are shown on the map of the islands. of heat, where the user (1700) can consult the heat island map information with the dotted data.

[0041] The device has a protective casing (1300) that protects the electronics from the environment as shown in Figure 2A.

[0042] The housing (1300) is designed to optimize the capture of particles and gases in the air without turbulence (1600). Its porous structure, created by the ventilation holes (1362), allows constant ventilation, preventing the sensors from becoming clogged and ensuring the accuracy of the measurements.

[0043] The housing (1300) is made of materials resistant to corrosion and UV rays, ensuring that the outer surface of the housing (1310) has durability in adverse environmental conditions.

[0044] The device (1100) is installed by the housing clamping means (1370) located on the side of the device cover (1350), figure 2A.

[0045] The cover (1350) is attached to the base (1360) by means of the base and cover mounting holes (1361) shown in Figure 2B. Both the cover and the base help protect the sensors from the environment and support the motherboard. The base has a support means (1380) which allows the device to stand upright when placed on a flat surface indoors or outdoors, as shown in Figure 2A.

[0046] The motherboard is inserted into the base (1360), and the cover has retaining means for the motherboard (1330). To prevent moisture from entering the device and affecting the sensors, there is a housing for hygroscopic compounds (1340), as shown in Figure 2A.

[0047] As mentioned previously, the device must be connected to the power supply; the device has a hole for the power outlet (1363) figure 2A.

[0048] The environmental parameter monitoring device of the present invention is configured to determine key aspects of air quality (1100), comprising a humidity sensor (1110), a temperature sensor (1120), a criteria gas sensor NO2 (1130), PM2.5 and PM10 particle sensors (1140), and a data transmission system (1150) where the transmission Data can be selectively transmitted via Wi-Fi network technologies (1151), cellular network (1152), or via a cable (1153) for updates. It also has a power cord (1400) to connect the device to a power source, a wireless communication antenna (1170), a receiving antenna (1230), and a housing (1180) which serves to keep noise vibrations out of the measurements.

[0049] The ambient relative humidity (RH) sensor (1110) is a solid-state sensor with a detection range of 5% to 99% RH. The temperature sensor (1120) is a solid-state sensor with a range of -40°C to 80°C. The ambient NO2 detector sensor (1130) is an electrochemical cell sensor with a concentration range of 0 to 20 ppm, a resolution of 0.1 ppm, and a maximum limit of 150 ppm for NO2 gas.

[0050] In the same way that the humidity (1110) and temperature (1120) sensors communicate with the standard microcontroller (1101), the PM 2.5 and PM 10 sensor (1140) is based on laser detection using the light scattering method, counting particles in the concentration range of 0 pg / m³ to 1000 pg / m³. The PM 2.5 and PM 10 sensor (1140) provides information on the concentration of suspended particles, assuming stable operation with an accuracy of ±15%.

[0051] Unlike the interaction between the transmission module (1150) and the cloud (1210), the sensors communicate with the microcontroller by means of serial (1102) and standard (1101) communication.

[0052] The information is sent by means of the transmitter that uses a wireless antenna (1170), which communicates with the receiving antenna (1230) of the database.

[0053] The database platform (1210) and the user screen (1220) are located in the data processing unit (1200). The cloud (1210) is the element where all the information from the different devices (1100) is received by means of the receiving antenna (1230). The database is created in such a way that the user screen (1220) displays the concentrated information that the user wants to see.

[0054] The sensors interact simultaneously with the processing unit, also known as the microcontroller (1160). The microcontroller (1160) processes, filters, and shares the information with the cloud (1210) through the transmission modules (1150). Information between the device and the database is sent via Wi-Fi (1151) or cellular network (1152) if a disconnection occurs, or vice versa.

Claims

Claims [Claim 1] ; A modular system for granular air quality determination and urban heat island diagnosis, characterized in that it comprises at least: a data processing and analysis module capable of receiving real-time measurement data from one or more devices remotely; and at least one field data collection module configured to determine environmental and air quality parameters and send environmental parameter and location data to the processing and analysis module. [Claim 2] A device for measuring environmental and air quality parameters, characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor for detecting PM10 and PM2.5 particles, at least one sensor for determining ambient temperature, at least one sensor for determining relative humidity, at least one sensor for determining NO2 concentration, and a georeferencing module, wherein the device is further configured to report in real time the determinations of the different environmental variables as well as the location of the device to the data processing module; wherein the device includes a housing to protect all the electronic elements of the device against the effects of field use and constant exposure to the elements; and wherein the device further comprises a display module. [Claim 3] The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the determinations of environmental and air quality parameters are measured within the ranges: relative humidity from 5% to 99%; temperature from -40°C to 80°C; PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles from 0 pg / m3 to 1000 pg / m3; and NO2 concentration in a concentration range of 0 to 20 ppm and a maximum detection limit of 150 ppm. [Claim 4] The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing that houses the electronic elements has openings that allow improved airflow from the outside to the inside of the system; and the device is further configured to eliminate vibrations in the surrounding environment. [Claim 5] The device according to claim 2, characterized in that it further includes means necessary to transmit the signals of the measurements made and the location from the measuring device in the field to a central processing system that is hosted in the cloud selected from Wifi transmission, use of cellular network or direct wired connectivity. [Claim 6] A method for diagnosing air quality and urban heat islands, characterized in that it includes the steps of: providing at least one real-time data measurement device as described in claim 2; determining in real time the parameters of temperature, relative humidity, PM10 and PM2.5 particle concentration, as well as NO2 concentration as a criterion gas by means of the sensors; sending the sensor data and the device location to a cloud location via the Wi-Fi connectivity module; from the data hosted in the cloud, the processing module is configured to perform the analysis of the data obtained from the sensors; and as a result of the analysis of the data received in real time, issuing an air quality diagnosis, as well as a heat island diagnosis, to the display module.

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