SMART APP BASED CONTROL AND MONITORING FOR BUILDING WATER MANAGEMENT

In our previous blog, we have mentioned about how high rises or buildings typically use a water management system that is powered by a 3-phase pumps. This often results in overfilling of tanks, or overworking of pumps thereby resulting in wastage of water and energy as well as reducing the life of the pumps. BuildTrack has developed an automated water management system, which can operate independently or as part of the Building Management System (BMS) to eliminating such wastage.

This system used a DDC connected to water level sensors placed in various tanks. The DDC automatically controls the pump(s), through the pump panel to which it connects.  A DDC can also allow access to users remotely to control the pump and monitor the status of the water level in tanks via Smart App. To achieve this, such a DDC should be connected to either a local wifi network or to the internet.

BuildTrack offer options such as being able to connect the DDC to a router, which can in turn be used as a local Wifi network or connected to the internet. The local network option provides the ability to access it via a Smart App or a browser directly, while connected to that network via the connecting devices that have the Smart App/browser. The internet connected option, connects the DDC to the BuildTrack cloud server. Using the cloud server option opens up additional abilities, since storage is available on the cloud server. The Smart App or browser connects to the cloud server to send commands to the DDC or to receive data on status from the DDC. The cloud server can also store the activity history of the pump and water levels, if such data is required for any purpose. This accessibility via the internet allows such information and current status to be accessible from anywhere that the internet is available and if multiple sites need to be collectively monitored from a single centralized interface, the cloud server enables the same as well.

Whether used as an autonomous system or as part of a Building Management System, BuildTrack offers the necessary DDC, Sensors and Cloud Server to serve as an efficient water management system that reduces wastage of water from overflows, and ensures that the energy consumption of the pump is minimized by eliminating wastage. It even extends the life of the pump by ensuring that it does not run dry and increases the efficiency of any on-site labor used for this activity.  The BuildTrack DDC can operate

• In automated mode, by itself, without internet or any network access,
• It can work over a local network to provide Smart App/Browser access on that network
• It can work with a static IP to provide Smart App/Browser access over the internet
• It can work with the BuildTrack Cloud Server, over the internet to provide remote access as well as data storage, for access by Smart App/Browser from anywhere the internet is accessible

A few words about more complex water management systems that the above mentioned DDC system is also equipped to handle,

1. Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) pumps – To prevent excessive pressure on the piping as well as to save energy, VFD pumps are commonly deployed. The DDC can control the speed of these pumps based on the pressure transducers status as measured at the head of the pump. It will also extend the life of the pump considerably and reduce maintenance costs.
2. Multi-tank situation- Often a single pump can be used to fill multiple overhead tanks often distributed across the property. In such situations, either solenoid valves or butterfly valves may be used to shut off the flow of water to one tank while the others continue to need water. The DDC can handle such situations as well.
3. Continuous Water Monitoring – Float sensors provide digital status (min/max), but often situations demand that you need continuous level monitoring of water. In such cases Ultrasonic sensors (analog) need to be used for monitoring and the DDC is able to monitor and report the continuous water levels in such situations
4. Water distribution management – this is unrelated to the filling of tanks, but often landscaping and other needs are automated to be fulfilled from the tank. The control of solenoid valves or in case of water conservation, butterfly valves is made possible by the DDC to allow remote management or even schedule based management of such events.
5. Smart Water Meters – At the supply end or at the consumption end, these smart water meters which use Modbus protocols for providing the data, can be monitored by BuildTrack’s Gateway. The live consumption information can be accessed and history can be stored on the cloud server. This can also be useful to monitor leakages in the water system also.

Take advantage of these new technology and systems for your water management. Conserve water and energy.

 

Diagram of water management system for 3-phase pumps, with remote Smart App access

 

Smart App UI for water management