Clustering-Based Thermography for Detecting Multiple Substances Under Large-Scale Floating Covers

This study presents a novel approach for monitoring waste substrate digestion under high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes in sewage treatment plants. The method integrates infrared thermal imaging with a clustering algorithm to predict the distribution of various substrates beneath Tradition...

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Main Authors: Yue Ma, Benjamin Steven Vien, Thomas Kuen, Wing Kong Chiu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/24/8030
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author Yue Ma
Benjamin Steven Vien
Thomas Kuen
Wing Kong Chiu
author_facet Yue Ma
Benjamin Steven Vien
Thomas Kuen
Wing Kong Chiu
author_sort Yue Ma
collection DOAJ
description This study presents a novel approach for monitoring waste substrate digestion under high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes in sewage treatment plants. The method integrates infrared thermal imaging with a clustering algorithm to predict the distribution of various substrates beneath Traditional outdoor large-scale opaque geomembranes, using solar radiation as an excitation source. The technique leverages ambient weather conditions to assess the thermal responses of HDPE covers. Cooling constants are used to reconstruct thermal images, and clustering algorithms are explored to segment and identify different material states beneath the covers. Laboratory experiments have validated the algorithm’s effectiveness in accurately classifying varied regions by analyzing transient temperature variations caused by natural excitations. This method provides critical insights into scum characteristics and biogas collection processes, thereby enhancing decision-making in sewage treatment management. The methodology under development is anticipated to undergo rigorous evaluation across various floating covers at a large-scale sewage treatment facility in Melbourne. Subsequent to field validation, the implementation of an on-site, continuous thermography monitoring system is envisioned to be further advanced.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1424-8220
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Sensors
spelling doaj-art-a13a455ca400472287ab5f5be92dd2ff2024-12-27T14:52:46ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202024-12-012424803010.3390/s24248030Clustering-Based Thermography for Detecting Multiple Substances Under Large-Scale Floating CoversYue Ma0Benjamin Steven Vien1Thomas Kuen2Wing Kong Chiu3Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, AustraliaDepartment of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, AustraliaDepartment of Integrated Planning, Melbourne Water Corporation, 990 La Trobe Street, Docklands, Melbourne, VIC 3008, AustraliaDepartment of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, AustraliaThis study presents a novel approach for monitoring waste substrate digestion under high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes in sewage treatment plants. The method integrates infrared thermal imaging with a clustering algorithm to predict the distribution of various substrates beneath Traditional outdoor large-scale opaque geomembranes, using solar radiation as an excitation source. The technique leverages ambient weather conditions to assess the thermal responses of HDPE covers. Cooling constants are used to reconstruct thermal images, and clustering algorithms are explored to segment and identify different material states beneath the covers. Laboratory experiments have validated the algorithm’s effectiveness in accurately classifying varied regions by analyzing transient temperature variations caused by natural excitations. This method provides critical insights into scum characteristics and biogas collection processes, thereby enhancing decision-making in sewage treatment management. The methodology under development is anticipated to undergo rigorous evaluation across various floating covers at a large-scale sewage treatment facility in Melbourne. Subsequent to field validation, the implementation of an on-site, continuous thermography monitoring system is envisioned to be further advanced.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/24/8030thermal imaging monitoringstructural health monitoringimage segmentationhigh-density polyethylene geomembranesfloating coverswater treatment plant
spellingShingle Yue Ma
Benjamin Steven Vien
Thomas Kuen
Wing Kong Chiu
Clustering-Based Thermography for Detecting Multiple Substances Under Large-Scale Floating Covers
Sensors
thermal imaging monitoring
structural health monitoring
image segmentation
high-density polyethylene geomembranes
floating covers
water treatment plant
title Clustering-Based Thermography for Detecting Multiple Substances Under Large-Scale Floating Covers
title_full Clustering-Based Thermography for Detecting Multiple Substances Under Large-Scale Floating Covers
title_fullStr Clustering-Based Thermography for Detecting Multiple Substances Under Large-Scale Floating Covers
title_full_unstemmed Clustering-Based Thermography for Detecting Multiple Substances Under Large-Scale Floating Covers
title_short Clustering-Based Thermography for Detecting Multiple Substances Under Large-Scale Floating Covers
title_sort clustering based thermography for detecting multiple substances under large scale floating covers
topic thermal imaging monitoring
structural health monitoring
image segmentation
high-density polyethylene geomembranes
floating covers
water treatment plant
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/24/8030
work_keys_str_mv AT yuema clusteringbasedthermographyfordetectingmultiplesubstancesunderlargescalefloatingcovers
AT benjaminstevenvien clusteringbasedthermographyfordetectingmultiplesubstancesunderlargescalefloatingcovers
AT thomaskuen clusteringbasedthermographyfordetectingmultiplesubstancesunderlargescalefloatingcovers
AT wingkongchiu clusteringbasedthermographyfordetectingmultiplesubstancesunderlargescalefloatingcovers