Sustainable aquaculture thanks to intelligent gas detectors

MSR-Electronic equips fish farm in Portugal with gas detectors.

With a sustainable fishing village, the aquaculture company from Portugal stands for innovative aquaculture systems and is one of the second largest flatfish producers in Europe, producing more than 3,500 tonnes of fish.

Water treatment and sterilisation in fish farming play a particularly important role in ensuring healthy aquaculture. This places the highest demands on facilities as well as new health and safety criteria for the staff working there. Gas detectors from MSR-Electronic were therefore installed in the indoor fish farm to ensure maximum safety for living creatures and systems.

What advantages do aquaculture systems offer?

With a focus on sustainability and environmental protection, modern aquaculture systems integrate a variety of innovative solutions. They utilise advanced technologies and intelligent concepts to enable efficient and responsible fish farming.

With closed-loop systems that minimes water consumption and effectively recycle waste products, as well as automated monitoring systems that continuously optimise water quality, these systems are setting new standards for the new aquaculture industry.

The key advantage of fish farming in aquaculture systems is that production is independent of location. For example, they can be optimally built near consumer markets and in regions where there is not enough water or suitable climatic conditions for a selected fish species.

How are gas detectors used in fish farming in Portugal?

The gas detectors protect two systems in indoor fish farming where there is a risk of oxygen and ozone escaping. Ozone is used worldwide for water disinfection in fish farms and aquariums, as it kills viruses, bacteria and fungi.

The advantage of ozone is that it leaves no residue and does not accumulate in living organisms. Nevertheless, the gas is dangerous in low concentrations (TWA=0.1 ppm and IDLH=5 ppm). The oxygen content in aquaculture ponds is one of the most important parameters for water quality.

Adequate oxygen levels in the aquaculture system are essential for the health of living organisms. Oxygen reduces the risk of disease outbreaks and animal deaths and mitigates the effects of temperature-related stress. However, too much oxygen can also be harmful. OSHA prescribes a concentration of 23.5% by volume. The indoor fish farm is one of the largest fish farms on the Iberian Peninsula and is due to be expanded in the coming years.

What gas hazards can arise in an aquaculture system?

Farmed fish are sensitive to pathogens, water quality and toxic substances. High water quality and regular disinfection of the systems through ozonisation are therefore particularly important. However, ozone poses a risk to the health of employees working in ozone production facilities. The intelligent gas detectors from MSR-Electronic offer perfect protection in the event of ozone gas leaks.

Various safety and health associations (OSHA, EU-OSHA, CAL/OSHA, NIOSH, ACGIH) set different permissible exposure levels (TWA, STEL, Ceiling) for hazardous toxic gases, which companies should comply with for S&H workplaces.

Solution from MSR-Electronic

SC2 sensors were installed to protect the safety of living creatures und equipment

The electrochemical sensor with digital measured value processing and integrated self-diagnosis is used to continuously monitor the ambient air for toxic gases or oxygen.

In addition to the electrochemical cell, the sensor also contains electronics with a measuring amplifier and a μController for processing the measured values. All relevant data and measured values from the sensor are also stored in the internal memory of the μProcessor in a fail-safe manner and are transmitted digitally to the board via the MSR's own local bus.

The device can be maintained by simply replacing the sensor or using the integrated, convenient calibration routine directly on the system.

Technical features of the gas detectors

• Digital measured value processing incl. temperature compensation
• Internal function monitoring with integrated watchdog
• Easy maintenance and calibration by replacing the sensor or by convenient on-site calibration
• High accuracy, selectivity and reliability
• Low zero point drift
• Sensor with long service life (depending on gas type)
• Hardware and software in accordance with SIL-compliant development process
• Reverse polarity protected, overload and short-circuit proof
• Protection class IP65 (when installed)

Further information on MSR products can be found in the current online catalogue or in the webshop www.msr-24.com.

MSR-Electronic is a manufacturer of fixed gas warning systems with decades of experience in the field of gas measurement technology. The international company with headquarters in Germany has a wide range of methods for the detection of toxic, combustible gases and oxygen. On this basis MSR-Electronic develops individual gas sensors, controllers and warning devices for many applications, such as parking garages, tunnels, petrochemical industry or shipping. The products meet more than the general standards and regulations and can therefore guarantee the safety of the plant. If you have any questions please send us an email or give us a call.