Optimization of distances measurement by an ultrasonic sensor

The problem of environmental disasters due to oil spills has characterized recent history from first years of '900 and still represents an important risk factor for environmental protection. The equipment and techniques currently in use for monitoring the marine water are very expensive. The scope of this research is the design and optimization of a non-contact ultrasonic sensor system capable of providing the water level in marine environment. This system is a part of a very low-cost device to detect pollution due to the presence of non-conductive liquids (i.e. hydrocarbons floating in the sea), exploiting the different conductivity of the fluids involved. The work focuses on the characterization of the SRF05 ultrasonic, providing the Time Of Flight (microseconds) of transmitted wave which interacts with a surface target, and on its configuration inside a floating organ as a result of data obtained from laboratory tests.