Design and Implementation of a PLC- Based Disinfecting Doorway

Abstract

Extensive scientific research has demonstrated that the maintenance of proper hygiene plays a crucial role in the prevention of diseases. In particular, the process of disinfection has become increasingly important in the context of highly transmissible and contagious illnesses. The task of disinfecting an individual’s entire body and personal belongings can be labor-intensive and exhausting. To address this challenge, an automated disinfection model based on a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) has been developed and implemented, enhancing the efficiency and ease of full-body disinfection compared to traditional manual methods. This model has been installed at the entrance of the Robotics and Automation Laboratory within the Mechatronics Engineering building at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). It operates by spraying a disinfectant solution, stored in a tank, through an array of misting nozzles directed at detected objects for a duration of five seconds. The system utilizes a Relay type PLC, programmed with GX Developer software, which activates upon receiving a signal from a mounted photoelectric sensor that detects an individual approaching the entrance. This triggers the diaphragm pump to dispense the disinfectant from a 5-liter storage tank through a hose to the overhead misting nozzle array for the predetermined time. This disinfection model minimizes the need for human involvement, streamlining the disinfection process while ensuring the appropriate quantity of disinfectant is applied.