controlled environment aquaponics
DESCRIPTION
Controlled Environment Aquaponics. What is aquaponics?. Aquaponics is an integrated system that combines hydroponics and aquaculture. In an aquaponics system, the waste water from aquaculture subsystem is used to fertilize plants, and the plants reduce nutrient levels in the water. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Controlled Environment Aquaponics
What is aquaponics?Aquaponics is an integrated system that combines hydroponics and aquaculture.
In an aquaponics system, the waste water from aquaculture subsystem is used to fertilize plants, and the plants reduce nutrient levels in the water.
Benefits of AquaponicsReduce chemical fertilizer use for
hydroponicsReduce water disposal for aquaculture
operationControlled Environmental Agriculture
benefits: year-round, local food production
Challenges of AquaponicspH compromise: plants grow best at pH of
6.0-6.5 while fish grow best at pH of 7.5-8.0 Temperature compromise: optimal
temperature for plants doesn’t match necessarily the optimal temperature for fish
Nutrient level in the fish water is low compared to plant nutrient needs
Elements in the fish waste are not in proper molecular ratios required by plants
Objectives of Morrisville Aquaponics Project
Demonstrate feasibility of an aquaponics system under controlled environment (greenhouse) in New York State
Quantify inputs and outputs of the system
Market products
Overview of the Morrisville State College Aquaculture Facilities
Boiler building Instrument shed
GreenhouseAquaculture Center (image from Bingmaps.com)
GreenhouseThe dimensions of the greenhouse are 30 feet by 60
feetThe roof is made of double PE filmThe side walls are constructed of PVC panelThe structure is heated by hot-water (hydroponic)
heating and cooled by a fan-and-pad systemThe horizontal air flow fans are used for air
recirculationThere is an energy curtain for shading and energy
conservation, insect screen and LED and high pressure sodium supplemental lighting
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Hydroponic System
Floating Raft Subsystem
Aquaculture SubsystemThere are two 600 gallon fish tanks and one 800 gallon tank.Each tank is equipped with a solid removal device (bead filters),UV sterilizers, a biofilter, blower, settling tanks and pumps
Aquaculture Subsystem
Lettuce growth
It takes 40 days to grow 5 ounces of lettuce. At full capacity, the Morrisville State College greenhouse could produce over 30,000 heads of lettuce annually.
In 2012, the College controlled environment agriculture facility diversified its crops and grew over 6000 heads of lettuce, over 300 pounds of basil, bok choy, arugula, and 90 pounds of tomatoes and cucumbers.
Tilapia growth
It takes about 8 months to grow a one pound tilapia. In 2012, the Morrisville State College controlled environment agriculture facility produced nearly 600 pounds of tilapia.
Electricity and Fuel UsageIn 2012, the Morrisville State College controlled environment agriculture greenhouse used about 147 kWh per day, for a total of 53,778 kWh annual energy.
The two 300,000 BTU/hr boilers used 4,360 gallons of fuel oil to heat the greenhouse, fish tanks, monitoring shed, biodiesel production lab, and the boiler building. One of the two boilers now runs on biodiesel produced on campus!
Biodiesel from Dining Hall Fryer Oil
Campus dining facilities use 2500 gallons of oil per year
The boiler is operated by students and currently processes 50 gallons per batch with 1 to 2 batches per week
The campus uses biodiesel for heating the greenhouse during the winter and for farm tractor fuel in the summer
Water Consumption
11/18/2010 12/18/2010 1/17/2011 2/16/2011 3/18/2011 4/17/2011 5/17/2011 6/16/2011 7/16/20110
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11/18/2010 12/18/2010 1/17/2011 2/16/2011 3/18/2011 4/17/2011 5/17/2011 6/16/2011 7/16/20110
200
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In 2012, the controlled environment agriculture greenhouse used an average of 142 gallons of water per day, resulting in 51,975 gallons for the year
Feasibility of AquaponicsWhile aquaponics is technically feasible, it remains economically challenging under the climate of New York State.Renewable energy options can improve the economics for aquaponics by using wastes as fuel for combined heat and power (CHP).
Madison County Landfill CHP
Morrisville State CollegeDigester CHP
Morrisville State College Biomass Gasification CHP