Development of a prototype using sensors for remote data acquisition in contaminated sites

• Grant number: 19/22643-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: January 01, 2020
• End date: April 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Gardenalli de Freitas
• Grantee: Murilo Takeshi Ribeiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/50343-2 - Institutional development plan in the area of digital transformation: advanced manufacturing and smart and sustainable cities (PDIp), AP.PDIP

Abstract

The management of urban space presents challenges, particularly in large cities, where there is a highpopulation density and, therefore, high pressure on the environment and demand for resources and infrastructure. One of the difficulties is the management of contaminated sites, because it can poserisks to the population, besides being a challenge for landoccupation. As defined in the concept of smart cities, the management of these areas can benefit bythe use of an integrated digital framework which makes use of technology, such as sensors, interconnected with database systems. Acquiring data in sensor-contaminated areas can bring many benefits, such as high temporal resolution, resources and environmental savings, besides the possibility of creating a databasewhich utilizes a Big Data management system. However, there are several challenges to using sensors in contaminated sitesin large-scale, such as the difficulty of selecting a sensor system that fits the characteristics of the areas and which generates the information with the required quality, the cost involved, and the need of qualified personnel. Thus, this project seeks to identify the best parameters and conditions for the implementation of sensor systems in contaminated sites, considering the technical and application aspects. In addition, dissemination and knowledge exchange strategies will be assessed. This project will focus on vapors in the unsaturated zone, considering that risks are often associated with vapor intrusion. Different systems (sensors and circuits) for gas characterization will be tested and evaluated, considering the performance under controlled conditions and under conditions similar to operations in a contaminated area. The tests will be performed in the laboratory, initially at known concentration vapor samples and, then in soil column tests. The results will be evaluated and discussed considering the technical performance of the sensors (accuracy, precision, sensitivity, life time) and application, such as cost, ease acquisition of the components and assembly of circuits. (AU)