Design and Development of an Automated Double-Ring Infiltrometer for Soil Infiltration Measurement

Accurate and effective measurement of soil rate of infiltration is extremely crucial in hydrological modeling, irrigation planning, and soil conservation. Traditional double-ring infiltrometers, despite their dominance, are labor-intensive and beset by labor intensiveness and limitations in live data recording. This study presents the development and construction of an automated double-ring infiltrometer system that features a constant head system, ultrasonic level sensors, microcontroller (Arduino Uno Rev3), and solar-powered control and logging unit. A designed 25-liter calibrated cylindrical plastic reservoir mounted on trolley offers water supply via sensor-controlled pump-based supply. The system uses an ultrasonic sensor to read the water level in the calibrated tank that maintains a constant head inside a double ring infiltrometer through an automated refilling system. The water level is read every 5 minutes and displayed on an LCD display, and logged on an SD card with timestamping. Water supply is controlled automatically to provide constant head conditions, records infiltration data with time-stamped records on an SD card, and gives real-time reading. Power is supplied using an independent solar power system in the shape of a solar panel, battery, charge controller, and inverter. The solar powering system includes a 230Ah deep-cycle battery, solar panel, charge controller, and inverter for off-grid functionality. Field validation involved comparative tests with a standard manual double-ring infiltrometer under loamy soil conditions. The automated system achieved an average infiltration rate measurement deviation of ±3.2 mm/h compared to the manual method, with a data logging frequency of 5 minutes. The setup operated for over 48 hours on solar power with minimal human intervention. Results indicate improved operational efficiency and potential applicability in remote field environments. The prototype was found to be accurate, responsive, and stand-alone with excellent potential for application in field-based soil infiltration research in remote fields. The design system is an economic, labor-saving solution when compared to the conventional methods, with the potential to save labor and improve the accuracy of measurement. Wireless data transmission for remote monitoring is an area with future potential development. This study contributes to the development of automated hydrological instrumentation, providing researchers and engineers with an optimum instrument for high-resolution infiltration studies.