PERANCANGAN PEMODELAN FLOW SENSOR UNTUK MEMONITOR SALURAN ISAPPADA POMPA BILGES DI KAPAL MT. GAS FELICITY

Abstract

The bilge pump is a vital component in a ship’s engine system, functioning to remove accumulated liquid or water from the bilge area, the lowest part of the vessel. On board the MT. GAS FELICITY, operational issues frequently occurred due to the absence of proper flow monitoring, leading to serious damage to key components such as the rotor, stator, bearings, and sleeve rubber. These problems are exacerbated by the lack of a reliable real-time flow monitoring system. Therefore, this study aims to design and develop a flow sensor device based on Arduino Uno to monitor the fluid flow within the bilge pump system effectively and to provide alerts when flow disturbances are detected. This research employs the Research and Development (R&D) method, consisting of several stages: needs identification, system design, prototype development, testing, expert validation, and field trials with experienced marine engineers. The designed flow sensor is equipped with components such as a YF-S201 flow sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a 20x4 I2C LCD, an ESP32 microcontroller, and a relay module. The device is capable of displaying real-time fluid flow data and bilge tank water levels, and it automatically controls the pump based on predefined parameters. Field test results indicated that the tool received a “Suitable” validity level (80%) from expert evaluation and a “Very Suitable” practicality rating (84%) from experienced seafarers. It can be concluded that the Arduino Uno-based flow sensor is practical, effective, and feasible for implementation on board to enhance efficiency and prevent damage to the bilge pump.