Early detection system for LPG leaks in tanker vehicles using the MQ-5 sensor

Abstract

Liquefied petroleum gas transportation in tank trucks represents a critical risk due to leaks that can cause explosions, such as the Villa El Salvador accident (2020) with 34 fatalities. This study developed and experimentally validated an early detection system based on the MQ-5 sensor and Arduino Uno microcontroller. A total of 120 trials were conducted at four distances (1, 5, 10, 15 cm) with 30 repetitions each, establishing a threshold of 400 ADC units. Results showed response times between 0.98 and 3.37 seconds, lower than the 10-second standard. The system achieved 92.50% accuracy with perfect 100% precision (zero false alarms) and 91% sensitivity. Analysis of variance confirmed that distance significantly affects response time (F=557.03, p<0.000001), establishing a predictive model (R2=0.9985): Time = 0.171×Distance + 0.629. Energy consumption (<250 mW) and low cost (~$40 USD) confirm its viability for vehicular applications, providing the first scientific quantification of the distance-time relationship for MQ-5 sensors.