Abstract:
Boiler feedwater quality is a critical factor that directly affects the performance,
efficiency, and safety of steam systems onboard ships. Observations conducted during
sea practice aboard the MV Lumoso Lancar revealed that feedwater monitoring is still
performed manually, inconsistently, and without an alert system, leading to increased
risks of corrosion, scale formation, and reduced boiler lifespan and efficiency. This study
aims to design and develop an automated monitoring system based on the ESP32
microcontroller capable of measuring pH and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) parameters
in real time and delivering alerts via a digital interface. Unlike previous studies that
predominantly focus on land-based or industrial boiler systems, this research addresses
current challenges in the maritime sector by proposing an IoT-based monitoring solution
tailored to shipboard conditions. The research methodology employed is Research and
Development (R&D) using a prototype model, comprising stages of problem
identification, system design, testing, evaluation, and expert validation. The system
integrates ESP32, pH-4502C sensor, TDS Meter V1.0, I2C LCD display, buzzer, and the
Blynk application for remote monitoring. Testing was conducted using three types of
water samples and resulted in an average error of 6.02% for pH and 6.56% for TDS.
Validation was carried out by four maritime engineering experts, and practical usability
testing involved 20 marine engineering cadets who had completed one year of sea
practice. The results confirmed that the system is feasible, practical, and suitable for
onboard operational use. Further development is recommended by adding temperature
and dissolved oxygen sensors, along with a data logging feature to enhance long-term
functionality and monitoring accuracy.
