Water level sensor - chemical lab

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello everyone,

I am trying to build a water level sensor based on arduino.

Background:
In a small chemical lab we are decanting fluids in a usual decanter system.
Unfortunately being the lab small and one person in charge of testing with old equipment I realized that sometimes she has a bounday of staying in the lab because of the test ongoing (mainly because if the bowl on the warm side gets empty it will explode).

For this reason I started to thing that a sensor could help her.

I have had a look at water sensor and I know that there are several solutions:

  • mechanical
  • unltrasonic
  • optical

I consider the mechanical sensor out of scope as I do not want to get in contact with the liquid (and in some cases, because of the shape of the final container even impossible)
Ultrasonic is going to be difficult, as it need to see the container from the top and it is not alzays possible (and small section of some container would require small sensors

that leaves the optical solution on the table.
Basically it is a sensor that should read the light beam sent to it and realiwe when and if there is water at given level. Considering that the container might have several shapesm what kind of sensor/source do you advice to use?

It will have to act as a switch to turn of the hot side.
I have some experience in programming, but it should be something easy to use and realize

Thank you in advance
Antonio

2

If this can happen consider your liability :scream:

You can place a magnet in a water proof capsule that will float.

Place two Hall Effect magnetic sensors on the outside on the water reservoir, the first will be penultimate the second is empty.

The magnet is detected, the alarm is set or fill valve operates.

Suggest a fallback hardware solution too.

3

Weigh it. Weight below threshold, stop.

4

The float type can be used for a variety of bowls. Using an optical level detection has a longer life then microswitches.
Regard the reply from @LarryD! A timer cutting off the heating in case of other failures is advised.
Arduinos are not certified for jobs like this.

5

Have a look at how automatic windscreen wipers work .
They are based on the change of reflection angle when the screen is wet - there might Be some mileage in googling that .

6

Search for "contactless liquid level sensor" on amazon or ebay.
Leo..

7

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