PERANCANGAN SISTEM MONITORING KUALITAS AIR UMPAN BOILER DI KAPAL MV. LUMOSO LANCAR

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.