Project supported by EU: FP7- SME-2011-2-286995 Multi-sensor automated water quality

monitoring and control system for continuous use in recirculation aquaculture systems

Presentation of the AQUAlity project

13 project partners:

SME-Association groups

Romfish - Romanian association of fish farmers

(ASOCIATIA NATIONALA A PRODUCATORILOR DIN PESCARIE)

API - Italian association of fish farmers (ASSOCIAZIONE PISCICOLTORI ITALIANI)

SPRL - Polish association of fish farmers

(STOWARZYSZENIE PRODUCENTOW RYB LOSOSIOWATYCH)

MILSUBIR - Turkish association of fish farmers

(BODRUM MILAS SU URUNLERI YETISTIRICILERI VE URETICILERI BIRLIGI)

PVIS - Dutch association of fish farmers (PRODUCTSCHAP VIS)

Eurofish International organisation (COORDINATOR)

SME companies

OxyGuard - Water quality measuring and monitoring equipment, Denmark

Artec Aqua - Fish farming technology, Norway

TRUCH - Fish farm, Spain (TRUCHAS DE LA ALCARRIA SL)

FISCH - Fish farm, Germany (FISCHZUCHT ABTSHAGEN GMBH & CO KG)

Research, Training and Development

Philips, The Netherlands (PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NEDERLAND B.V.)

Nofima AS, Norway

ISRI, UK (THE UK INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS RESEARCH INSTITUTE LIMITED)

The purpose of the 3 year AQUAlity project:

Develop an AQUAlity system:

1. To develop an ammonia and nitrite measurement device to be used in

the biofilters in RAS

• Online measurements and more affordable than present methods

2. To make a multisensor prototype (collect all the different parameters in

one system at a fish farm)

3. To develop a farm control system with a database to store data from

the multisensor

4. To develop a web based knowledge advice system

• Allows a fish farmer to compare farm parameters to others, and best in

class.

• To get expert advice

Project overview:

9 work packages – 3 years

WP1

Development of the Multi-

Sensor unit

T 1.1 Full review of existing

sensors for the identified water

quality characteristics

T 1.2 Prototype of ammonia

and water flow sensor system,

which meets the requirements

for aquaculture

T1.3 Develop Sensor unit,

sensor unit interface and

mechanical design

specifications

T 1.4 Selection of the

transducers for use in the

aquaculture environment

T 1.5 Develop sensor interfaces

for (two) control system

hardware platforms

T 1.6 Integrate transducers &

design electronics interface sub-

system

WP3

Development of control system T 3.1 Develop control system

specification (hardware interface and

software specification)

T 3.2 Design of simplified programmatic

interface to control system hardware

platform

T 3.3 Design & development of user

interface

T 3.4 Development of control hardware

interface for different levels of user

T 3.5 Development of software algorithms

for different fish species at different life

stages

T 3.6 Design of control system

T 3.7 Prototype control system

WP4

Integration and lab testing

T 4.1 Full system level integration of

the sensor unit with the control

system

T 4.2 Develop testing regime

T 4.3 Laboratory scale testing of the

whole system

WP5

Field Trials and Validation T 5.1 Validation of system

responses to planned and

controlled water quality changes

T 5.2 Validation of system

responses to water quality

changes in a RAS holding fish

T 5.3 Field trials of the system to

ensure good working in a real-

time environment

WP7

Innovation related activities T6.1 Dissemination of project scientific

results

T6.2 Protection of IPR

T6.3 Dissemination of general project

results

T6.4 Develop exploitation plan

WP8

Training and Knowledge transfer T7.1 RTD performer trains AG’s

T7.2 AG’s develop training courses for their

members

T7.3 AG’s make available and start to deliver

training courses for their members

T7.4 AGs develop a self study training

package for mail order to their member

companies.

WP9

Consortium management T8.1 Contractual management

T8.2 Management of partnership

agreements

T8.3 Liaison with the REA

T8.4 Financial and administrative

management

T8.5 Progress monitoring

T8.6 Internal administration

T8.7 Risk management

T8.8 Communications management

Research & Development Integration and Validation Innovation Activities

WP2

Prototype sensor unit and testing

T 2.1 Testing of different sensor

technologies in aquaculture conditions

T 2.2 Testing of the optimum method for

attachment of the sensors into the tank

T 2.3 Initial testing of sensor unit

interface to the control system hardware

platforms

WP6

Demonstrate System T6.1. Prepare and deliver final

validation data

Results of the AQUAlity project:

1. An ammonia and nitrite measurement demonstrator device

has been developed in the project

Technical details are kept within the consortium.

The device can measure levels of ammonia and nitrite as well. The

partner OxyGuard has the opportunity to bring this demonstrator to the

market.

Estimated 2 years development from a real marketable device. The

principle behind the device has been proven in practise. Expected to be

able to fit in a shoe box.

Results of the AQUAlity project:

2. The multisensor system have been completed (collects the parameters

in one system at a fish farm)

The collection utilises exiting OxyGuard Pacific equipment.

Hardware and software development have enabled the collection of the

new ammonia and nitrite parameters by the unit as well.

Results of the AQUAlity project:

The AQUAlity multisensor system currently collects:

Water flow

Biofilter:

Dissolved oxygen – DO and % saturation, CO2 and %vol.

Temperature, pH, Salinity, Total Gas Pressure (TGP) and %resolution.

Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), NH3, NO2, NH4

Tank:

DO and % saturation, Temperature

Fish farm:

Air Temperature, Air Pressure, Air Humidity, Air flow rate

The AQUAlity system can be configured to support any sensor compatible with the

Pacific unit

Results of the AQUAlity project:

3. The farm control system with a database has been developed

Results of the AQUAlity project:

The farm control systems monitors each fish batch according to feed,

growth and mortality

All parameters are monitored in one screen and each parameter can be

monitored in a graph as well

All data is collected in a database

Results of the QUAlity project:

4. A web based knowledge advice system has been developed

A fish farmer can compare farm parameters to others, and best in class

Expert advice is available

An example:

Looking for a partner that are willing to host and develop the

web based knowledge advice system further when the AQUAlity project

ends

”Online expert help” needs supervision from experts and that must be

maintained

Future:

The ammonia/nitrite sensor can be a possible product for farmers

members within two years (if OxyGuard decides). Cheaper/smaller than

present systems

The farm control system with the database can later be available in a

demonstration version

The users can utilise the web based knowledge advice system as well.

You get access from the farm control software directly

The future ownership/development of the control software will be decided

in the project group

Please visit www.AQUAlityproject.com for project news

http://www.aqualityproject.com/