Sensors for aquaculture

How full is a particular tank at this moment? When do supplies need to be delivered? If you’re able to keep a close eye on the status and quality data regarding feed, fish health, water quality and environmental conditions, you can react more quickly to changes. That’s why VEGA sensors are the primary building block in aquaculture processes – they not only deliver this important data, they also guarantee higher efficiency and safety.

Applications

Fish farming tank

Level measurement in fish farming tanks

Application

Under ideal conditions, a wide variety of fish species can live in indoor and outdoor tanks, either in or near the sea. It is extremely important that the tanks are reliably monitored against leakage and always adequately supplied with fresh water. Reliable pump monitoring when emptying and filling the tanks is also important. All three factors increase the efficiency of fish production and make a significant contribution to the overall success of the facility.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement in rough weather conditions such as wind, rain, snow
Cost effective
Maintenance-free operation
User friendly
Easy installation thanks to ideal mounting accessories

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement
Measuring point:
Tank
Measuring range up to:
10 m
Medium:
Fresh water or sea water
Process temperature:
-20 … +30 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Harsh weather conditions such as ice and snow

Silage mill

Pressure monitoring and point level detection in the silage mill

Application

After mixing with acid, the ground fish scraps are mixed and ground again. Pressure sensors are used to monitor the mill. They enable immediate detection of any malfunction of the mill. This ensures uniform processing of the fish scraps over the long term.

Your benefit

Reliable
High system availability thanks to robust pressure measurement technology
Cost effective
Immediate production stop possible in the event of failure
User friendly
Standardised adjustment

Process data

Measuring task:
Pressure measurement and point level detection
Measuring point:
Pipeline
Measuring range up to:
10 bar
Medium:
Fish scraps
Process temperature:
0 … +30 °C
Process pressure:
0 … +10 bar
Special challenges:
High chemical aggressiveness and abrasion

Filter system for coarse dirt

Differential pressure measurement and point level detection in filter systems

Application

In on-shore facilities, reliable filtration ensures the required water quality. This is achieved through the use of mechanical drum and disc filters. They form a multi-stage system, where automatic flushing via jet nozzles is controlled by the water level in the tank. Besides a high water quality, the fish also need the right amount of oxygen in the water. After the water has been cleaned, the correct amount of oxygen is added to it via compressors. Throughout the entire process, a guaranteed flow of water with sufficient oxygen enrichment is essential and therefore ensured by reliable differential pressure measurement and limit level detection.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement even with buildup
Cost effective
Optimal cleaning thanks to flush design
User friendly
Configuration with smartphone or PC via wireless operation with Bluetooth

Process data

Measuring task:
Differential pressure and limit level measurement
Measuring point:
Pipeline and tank
Measuring range up to:
0 … +5 bar
Medium:
Dirty water
Process temperature:
0 … +30 °C
Process pressure:
0 … +5 bar
Special challenges:
Contamination resistant

Feed pellet silo

Level measurement in feed pellet silos

Application

As well as the type of fish being farmed, it is the feed coefficient, the so-called “fish in – fish out” ratio, that determines the required quantity and appropriate composition of feed. To ensure on-time availability and optimal feed composition, reliable stock level monitoring is necessary. The feed stocks, from production to delivery and distribution, are visualised and reliably managed. Automatic ordering processes are triggered by VEGA Inventory System.

Your benefit

Reliable
Constant data availability due to reliable measurement
Cost effective
Always optimal quantities and ideal mixing ratios in stock
User friendly
Automatic ordering thanks to VEGA Inventory System

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement
Measuring point:
Silo
Measuring range up to:
40 m
Medium:
Feed
Process temperature:
-30 … +40 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 1 bar
Special challenges:
Dust generation, silo internal installations, greasy pellets

Feeding barges

Level measurement and point level detection during the distribution of feed pellets

Application

To feed the fish, automatic systems distribute feed pellets from the storage containers. In floating facilities, there are several storage containers located next to the “grow-out tanks” for this purpose. These are continuously monitored in order to reliably measure the amount of feed extracted. In this way, evenly distributed feed quantities can be ensured over the entire lifetime of the fish.

Your benefit

Reliable
Measurement technology unaffected by buildup and soiling
Cost effective
Absolutely maintenance-free measurement technology
User friendly
The level can be read-out from anywhere

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement and point level detection
Measuring point:
Silo
Measuring range up to:
10 m
Medium:
Pellets
Process temperature:
-20 … +30°C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Dust generation, buildup

IBC containers with cleaning agents

Level measurement in IBC containers storing cleaning agents

Application

Water and cleaning agents are used to efficiently clean the feed pellet containers. These media are stored on site, for example on a feeding barge or on a supply ship. Reliable level measurement ensures that the required amount of cleaning agent is available at all times. And this in turn guarantees that the feed pellet containers are cleaned quickly in the time between complete emptying and the next filling.

Your benefit

Reliable
Accurate measurement, right down to the container bottom
Cost effective
Sensor can be installed quickly and easily
User friendly
Visualized measured value display

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement
Measuring point:
Plastic tank
Measuring range up to:
1 m
Medium:
Liquids
Process temperature:
-40 … + 50°C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Changing media, small measuring ranges

Delousing systems

Pressure measurement in the delousing process

Application

One of the major challenges for fish farms around the world is lice infestation, which can force farmers to pull their fish out early. In addition to the use of cleaner fish, a thermo-mechanical treatment has proven successful. In this process, pressure is used to lift the lice off the fish before they can be removed by low-pressure flushing. Pressure sensors control the process and ensure that it runs safely and efficiently.

Your benefit

Reliable
No risk of injury to the fish thanks to safe measurement technology
Cost effective
Reduction of chemical additives through precise process control
User friendly
Simple installation and fast commissioning

Process data

Measuring task:
Pressure measurement
Measuring point:
Pipeline
Measuring range up to:
0 … +5 bar
Medium:
Sea water
Process temperature:
0 … + 40 °C
Process pressure:
0 … +4 bar
Special challenges:
Pressure shocks, chemical resistance

Pump monitoring

Pressure measurement for pump monitoring in circulation systems

Application

Recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) score points with their low water consumption. In such systems, water is treated and reused in a way that conserves resources. This is facilitated by circulating the water in a closed loop. The necessary pump technology is monitored with pressure sensors in order to detect any malfunction immediately.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable protection of the pumps, thus ensuring water quality
Cost effective
Maintenance-free operation
User friendly
Simple mounting and setup

Process data

Measuring task:
Pressure measurement
Measuring point:
Pipeline
Measuring range up to:
-1 … +5 bar
Medium:
Fresh water or polluted water
Process temperature:
0 … +30 °C
Process pressure:
-1 … +5 bar
Special challenges:
Abrasion, deposits

Silage tank

Level measurement and point level detection in the storage tank for fish waste

Application

Fish waste and scraps are the valuable raw material for fish silage, which in turn is a protein-rich raw material for the production of fish meal and dry fish feed. The acids used during production enable controlled growth of bacteria. The levels in the storage tanks must be carefully and reliably monitored. The visualisation of current process and storage status is handled by VEGA Inventory System.

Your benefit

Reliable
Better, consistent product quality, because of precise monitoring
Cost effective
Simple setup and commissioning, completely maintenance free
User friendly
Universal, media-independent measurement technology

Process data

Measuring task:
Level and point level measurement
Measuring point:
Tank
Measuring range up to:
20 m
Medium:
Fish silage
Process temperature:
-20 … +30 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Foam, buildup

Evaporator

Point level detection in the production of fish oil

Application

Fish waste is one of the highest quality raw materials for the production of oils. These oils are, among other things, the source of omega-3 oil. The distillation-based production of the oil requires careful control in high temperatures and vacuum. In the oil vapour condensation process, reliable limit level detection must ensure the accurate switching on and off for the dependable operation of the pumps.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement despite extreme temperatures
Cost effective
Low maintenance costs
User friendly
Simple installation without adjustment (plug-and-play)

Process data

Measuring task:
Point level detection
Measuring point:
Evaporation tank
Measuring range up to:
Pipeline
Medium:
(Fish) oil
Process temperature:
+20 … +300 °C
Process pressure:
-1 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Low density of the oil, extreme temperatures, vacuum

Tank feeder

Level measurement and point level detection in the tank feeder

Application

The pipes installed above the fish tanks enable demand-oriented, automatic feeding at any time of day. To this end, the storage tanks are continuously monitored to make sure they contain sufficient fish pellets and always get refilled on time. The tanks vary in size, depending on whether young fish or adult fish are involved.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement right through the container walls
Cost effective
Efficient, demand-oriented feeding without running empty
User friendly
Retro-fit installation possible without opening the container

Process data

Measuring task:
Point level detection
Measuring point:
Evaporation tank
Measuring range up to:
Pipeline
Medium:
(Fish) oil
Process temperature:
+20 … +300 °C
Process pressure:
-1 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Low density of the oil, extreme temperatures, vacuum

Feed line compressors

Pressure monitoring in the oxygen supply system

Application

When rearing fish larvae to the young adult stage in onshore systems, the optimal amount of oxygen in the water is a necessary criterion for growth. To reliably and cost-efficiently monitor the compressors required for this, the feed lines carrying the oxygen-enriched water must be monitored for correct pressure. This way, the system can detect a malfunction or a drop in pressure immediately. Reliable operation allows the young fish to grow up healthily and stress-free.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable protection even if pressure surges occur
Cost effective
Simple installation and fast electrical connection
User friendly
Maintenance-free operation

Process data

Measuring task:
Pressure monitoring
Measuring point:
Pipeline
Measuring range up to:
-1 … +25 bar
Medium:
Water
Process temperature:
0 … +20 °C
Process pressure:
-1 … +25 bar
Special challenges:
Pressure surges, abrasion

Intermediate tank for fish waste treatment

Point level monitoring in the intermediate tank

Application

Since the fish scraps left over from filleting still contain a lot of usable substances, they are processed further. To enable simple, mechanical processing, these leftovers are pre-processed for the mill and stored in an intermediate tank. Depending on the feedstock, different consistencies can form in this tank. Reliable point level detection prevents overfilling or dry run.

Your benefit

Reliable
Optimal utilisation of the fish scraps through reliable measurement
Cost effective
Fast, reliable cleaning thanks to front-flush design
User friendly
No adjustment required

Process data

Measuring task:
Point level detection
Measuring point:
Tank
Measuring range up to:
Limit level detection
Medium:
Fish scraps
Process temperature:
0 … 30 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Strongly adhering media, fluctuating consistency

Reverse osmosis

Differential pressure measurement in reverse osmosis

Application

When transporting live fish, the operators of aqua farms do everything in their power to carry out the task as efficiently, gently and stress-free (for the fish) as possible, usually with the help of special ships. Large amounts of water are required to maintain the water quality in the tanks during transport. The seawater is forced through a semi-permeable diaphragm under high pressure. Only pure water molecules can pass through. Differential pressure measurement monitors the level of contamination of the filter.

Your benefit

Reliable
Approved materials according to FDA and EC 1935/2004 regulations as well as country-specific approvals
Cost effective
Efficient cleaning of the filter during continuous operation
User friendly
Maintenance friendly through front-flush mounting

Process data

Measuring task:
Differential pressure measurement
Measuring point:
Filter
Measuring range up to:
+20 bar
Medium:
Salt water
Process temperature:
0 … +25 °C
Process pressure:
0 … +20 bar
Special challenges:
Salt water resistance