A SYSTEM FOR POND MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF AQUAFARMING
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to aquaculture farming technology, and more particularly to a water quality monitoring and pond management automation in shrimp aquaculture technology.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] There are many challenges faced in aquaculture and mainly when it comes to shrimp culture the sustainability issues are high. Shrimp culture being practiced today in many parts of the world involves high energy use, carbon footprints and unsustainable water management practices. Monitoring of water quality and optimized use of resources is the key to increased productivity and yielding quality shrimps.
[0003] The traditional means for monitoring the water environment is a tedious and quite time consuming task, incapable of meeting the needs and wants of intensive shrimp farming. Currently, farmers monitor the environmental conditions in the pond manually and irregularly based on their previous experiences, which is not only in terms of manpower, but also irregular practiced across the sector as this monitoring is usually done only when the farmer has discovered the abnormal condition of the shrimp or when environmental factors have changed dramatically. When such a phenomenon occurs, the procedure to help rebalance the farming environment is usually very complex and expensive. Thus, the environmental factors are required to be monitored ineffectively.
[0004] Very less percentage of people has an access to modern advancements in shrimp farming. The presently available system requires a huge initial investment cost and is only suitable for large-scale farming business. Such models are beyond the investment capacity of shrimp farms of small and medium scale as the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the entire pond system is
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required. The systems are usually based on a wired network so the transmission is not only problematic, but it is also difficult to expand.
[0005] In majority of ponds, changes in the health of the shrimp only becomes apparent over time based on a combination of observations on the condition of shrimps, consumption of food quantity, water quality, etc. More importantly any changes of the environmental factors in the pond contribute significantly to the overall decline in the health of the shrimp. It has also been observed that the environmental factors in the ponds are heterogeneous and constantly changing in many ways based on each region, weather, growing conditions, etc, which further complicates shrimp farming.
[0006] However, none of the contemporary solutions is capable of monitoring the environmental factors including assessment of water quality, condition of shrimps, consumption of food quantity, and optimizing utilization of resources. The risk factor, therefore, remains intensely high for the farmers as there is no provision of intimating them in advance regarding the problems that may be anticipated, causing great distress. Since there is no integration with any of the IT platforms, there is hardly any automation observed in the entire value chain that further exacerbates the socio-economic conditions of this sector. For example, these systems do not provide for predictive analysis of the problems that could occur in the farms, setting of alerts, and are much inaccurate in reading when considered for long run due to bio fouling on the sensors.
[0007] In the background of foregoing limitations, there exists a need to develop a system for pond monitoring and management of aquafarming. Further, there exists a system which is capable of automating the pond management to control environmental factors affecting the shrimp health so that a more informed and well–reasoned decision is taken by the farmers before the outbreak becomes uncontrollable.
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OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The primary objective of the present disclosure is to provide increase in productivity of
high quality aquatic creatures, particularly shrimps along with automation in pond management
system.
[0009] In one other objective of the present disclosure, a sustainable solution for shrimp culture
in aquaculture sector is proposed.
[00010] Another objective of the present disclosure is to ensure continuous monitoring of vital
water parameters, shrimp conditions, and food consumption patterns in ever-changing pond
environment, apart from optimizing the optimum use of resource.
[00011] Another objective of this disclosure is to provide a prediction based methodology to
increase the productivity of shrimps and automate the pond management, by mitigating the
mortality risk, optimizing the utilization of resources and minimizing power consumption.
[00012] In yet another objective of the present disclosure, the integration of present solution
with an IT platform significantly enhances the aquaculture industry value chain by monitoring
the external parameters of the pond impacting shrimp health, including but not limited to
observance of shrimp health, consumption of food quantity and close monitoring of water
quality.
[00013] In still another object of the present disclosure, the enhanced accuracy of sensors with
data extraction is provided at various water levels, along with obviating bio fouling of sensor
with electrical or pneumatic or chemical process/mechanism.
[00014] One other object of present disclosure is to automatically measure the soil quality,
optimize the aeration cycles based on the parameters being monitored, thus providing
anticipatory intimation to the farmers avoiding huge outbreak of diseases thereby bringing down
the mortality rate.
[00015] The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the
following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are
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incorporated for illustration of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00016] The aforementioned object is achieved by a system for pond monitoring and
management of aquafarming according to claim 1. The present invention is directed to an
automatic sensor based water quality monitoring technology that has the capability of taking
decisions while monitoring the pond using sensor based information that provides command to
ancillary units of the system like aerator or feeder with an insightful information to achieve the
above advantages.
[00017] According to an embodiment, a system for pond monitoring and management of
aquafarming comprises a sensor node device. According to an embodiment, the sensor node
device includes a plurality of sensors, a microcontroller, a radio module and automated control
mechanisms. According to an embodiment, the sensors configured for sensing plurality of
parameters of water at various water levels. The sensors communicate with the microcontroller
using communication protocol giving the sensed values of the various parameters.
[00018] The microcontroller can be configured for processing the sensed values obtained from
the sensors. The microcontroller further configured for analyzing and comparing the sensed
values with a set of pre-determined values and further configured for notifying farmer with
required action to be performed or sensing a signal to the automated control mechanism of the
sensor node device via the radio module for activating said automated control mechanism based
on the comparison; and thereby allowing the pond monitoring and management through the
sensor node device.
[00019] According to an embodiment, the parameters includes but not limited to dissolved
oxygen, temperature, pH, salinity, oxidation reduction potential and ammonia. The sensor node
device further includes underwater erected bottom tubes configured for holding the sensors
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inside the tube and thereby providing the sensors protection against water currents and solid
particulates, wherein the sensors are placed at various level of the water.
[00020] The sensor node device further includes a hanger and an anchor. The hanger and the
anchor provided below the sensor node device, wherein the hanger provided to hook the anchor
for keeping the sensor node device steady. According to an embodiment, the sensor node device
is floatable in midst of the pond.
[00021] The sensor node device further includes a stepper motor, a pulley, a control circuit and a
channel. According to an embodiment, the sensor node device is attached to a pillar through a
clamp. According to an embodiment, the stepper motor connected to the control circuit to control
and hold the sensor. According to an embodiment, the sensor can be hung via the channel
through the pulley at pre-determined level to sense the parameters of water at said level and then
proceed to the another level by cyclic motion of the sensor using the pulley to sense the
parameters of water at particular level.
[00022] According to an embodiment, the automated control mechanisms of sensor node device
includes a feeder system and an aeration system. According to an embodiment, the aeration
system connected through a radio module with the microcontroller and a relay system.
According to an embodiment, the relay system provided to trigger the aerator system based on
commands received from the microcontroller.
[00023] According to an embodiment, the feeder system includes a hopper like structure
consisting of nozzles at the bottom of the hopper to spread the feeds at the centre of the pond.
The feeder system further includes a motorized unit which is controlled by the microcontroller
and the motorized unit configured for running the feeder system.
[00024] The sensor node device further includes a rechargeable battery, a solar panel and a dust
sensor. According to an embodiment, the solar panel provided to produce required voltage and to
recharge the battery. According to an embodiment, the dust sensor provided to sense the dust on
the solar panel and to transmit sensed value (the dust sensed on the solar panel) to the
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microcontroller, wherein said microcontroller notifying the farmer to clean the solar panel when the dust on the solar panel exceeds a threshold value.
[00025] According to an embodiment, the sensor node device further includes a cleaning mechanism attached to the sensor to avoid bio-fouling. According to an embodiment, the cleaning mechanism includes a brush structure and a dc motor. According to an embodiment, the brush structure connected through a shaft to the dc motor. According to an embodiment, the dc motor is placed adjacent to the sensor. The dc motor is actuated which makes the brush to swipe through surface of sensor tip and thereby cleaning the sensor; and wherein the brush comes to rest at a position away from sensing part.
[00026] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00027] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the
figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference
number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar
or identical items.
[00028] Fig. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a system for pond monitoring and management
having a sensor node device, underwater erected bottom water tubes and a hanger, in accordance
with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00029] Fig. 2 illustrates the upper part of the sensor node device signifying a solar panel and a
dust sensor, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;
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[00030] Fig. 3 depicts bottom view of the sensor node device including the sensor, in accordance
with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00031] Fig. 4 depicts a bottom view of the sensor node device including the illustrating sensor
arrangement with respect to the system illustrated in Fig. 1, in accordance with one preferred
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00032] Fig. 5 is an exemplary illustration of a system for pond monitoring and management
having the sensor node device attached to a pillar, in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00033] Fig. 6 is an exemplary illustration of sensor arrangement in the system illustrated in
Fig.5, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00034] Fig. 7 is an exemplary illustration of an aeration system of the sensor node device, in
accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[00035] Fig. 8 is the depiction of a feeder system which is solar enabled, and includes a hopper
in which the feed is loaded, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[00036] Fig. 9 shows the lower region of the feeder system including a nozzle to shatter the feed
in water, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00037] Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary model of a cleaning mechanism of the sensor node
device, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[00038] Fig. 11 illustrates an exemplary model of multiple pond monitoring using the system, in
accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[00039] It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose
of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope
of the present invention, which will be limited only by the appended claims. The words
"comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to
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be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary methods of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.
[00040] The present disclosure, according to Fig. 1 envisages a completely automatic sensor based system 1000 for effective management of shrimp ponds by early detection of disease such that the appropriate response can be implemented before the outbreak becomes uncontrollable. Fig. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a system for pond monitoring and management having a sensor node device, underwater erected bottom water tubes and a hanger, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensor node device illustrated in fig.1 is a floating buoy. Broadly, the present system 1000 embodies the sensor node device 100 that floats in the midst of the pond to monitor and record water quality round the clock and provide continuous data that can be used to identify trends and improve production in shrimp farming. [00041] According to an embodiment, a system for pond monitoring and management of aquafarming; wherein the system comprises a sensor node device 100. According to an embodiment, the sensor node device 100 includes a plurality of sensors 200, a microcontroller, a radio module and automated control mechanisms. According to an embodiment, the sensors 200 configured for sensing plurality of parameters of water at various water levels. The sensors communicate with the microcontroller using communication protocol giving the sensed values of the various parameters.
[00042] The microcontroller can be configured for processing the sensed values obtained from the sensors. The microcontroller can be further configured for analyzing and comparing the sensed values with a set of pre-determined values and further configured for notifying farmer with required action to be performed or sending a signal to the automated control mechanism of the sensor node device 100 via the radio module for activating the automated control mechanism based on the comparison; and thereby allowing the pond monitoring and management through the sensor node device.
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[00043] The sensor node device 100 further includes underwater erected bottom tubes 500 configured for holding said sensors 200 inside the tube 500 and thereby providing said sensors 200 protection against water currents and solid particulates, wherein said sensors 200 are placed at various level of the water. The sensor node device 100 further includes a hanger 300 and an anchor, wherein the hanger 300 and the anchor provided below the sensor node device 100, wherein the hanger 300 provided to hook the anchor for keeping said sensor node device 100 steady. The sensor node device 100 floatable in midst of the pond. According to an embodiment, the parameters include dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, salinity, oxidation reduction potential and ammonia. According to an embodiment, soil parameters can also be sensed and monitored as the quality of soils plays a major role in the growth of the shrimp.
[00044] The sensors 200 can be programmed based on an algorithm which activates the sensors 200 making it to sense the parameters at specific intervals at various water levels and with appropriate frequency of fetching data based on the timing and risk factor. The sensed values of the parameters can be stored in a cloud platform, these sensed values can be fetched, analysed and compared with the pre-set tolerance values checking whether it’s permissible enough for the shrimps to grow in the farm. The values go through a set of comparisons where it is checked for whether it’s under tolerable limit. If the data violates the pre-determined values or there is some sort of distortion or drastic deflection in the parameters then alerts and corrective actions are suggested to the farmers/technicians/owners of the farm through SMS gateway or through the Mobile Application. These corrective actions could be adding of probiotics, adding of fresh water inside the pond, turning on the aerators, controlling the frequency and quantity of the feed etc.
[00045] Fig. 2 illustrates the upper part of the sensor node device signifying a solar panel and a dust sensor, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensor node device 100 further includes a rechargeable battery, the solar panel 400 and the dust sensor 900. According to an embodiment, the solar panel 400 is provided to produce required voltage and to recharge the battery. According to Fig. 2, each sensor node is equipped with a
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rechargeable battery with the solar panel 400 as its supply source, based on the structure and location of the farms. For example, if the farm has electricity then it would be the primary source of supply running the device and solar would act as the backup power supply. On the contrary, where there are no electrical connections available, the primary source is the primary solar power supply 400. This solar panel 400 can produce the required voltage and recharges the battery. [00046] According to an embodiment, the dust sensor 900 is provided to sense the dust on the solar panel 400 and to transmit sensed value (the dust sensed on the solar panel) to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller notifying the farmer to clean the solar panel 400 when the dust on the solar panel 400 exceeds a threshold value, as the dust accumulation on the solar panel 400 reduces its efficiency to generate power. The sensor node device 100 is thus used for data acquisition, thereby offering basic water quality sensing parameters including temperature, pH level, dissolved oxygen level (DO), oxidation reduction potential (ORP) (soil & water), salinity level, dust level, ammonia level and nitrate level with high level of stability and accuracy.
[00047] Fig. 3 depicts bottom view of the sensor node device including the sensor, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 depicts a bottom view of the sensor node device including the illustrating sensor arrangement with respect to the system illustrated in Fig. 1, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. In one preferred embodiment of the disclosure, each sensor node of the entire sensor node device comprises of a slave and master configuration, that mainly consists of the microcontroller, a GPRS (at the master end), a radio module and the sensors 200. Each sensor end node has been set to sense the in-pond parameters every half an hour in a normal situation. Each sensor 200 has its own importance at various parts of the day and measuring it at specific instances of the day is more important so during such times the sensor node change to a more frequent capture rate of once about every 10 minutes being more conscious to a particular parameter at that point of time. [00048] For example, the dissolved oxygen during daytime is more stable so dissolved oxygen is sensed once every half an hour but during the night time the uncertainty of dissolved oxygen is
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more i.e., the dissolved oxygen is not that stable as that during the daytime so, the dissolved oxygen is sensed more frequently with a capture rate of once every 10 minutes so as to keep a close track of the Dissolved oxygen level. In the same way, the other parameters too have their specific time where their behaviour is uncertain at that time the frequency of sensing the parameter is more.
[00049] Further, the sensors 200, as shown in Fig. 1 and 3, have been deployed in underwater erected bottom tubes 200. The sensors can be programmed to get activated for sensing various parameter at specific intervals at various water levels and with appropriate frequency based on the timing and risk factor. The values of the parameters sensed by the sensors 200 can be thereafter stored on a cloud platform, fetched analyzed and compared with the pre-set tolerance values to check if it is permissible enough for the shrimps to let growing in the existing farm environment. The sensor data (sensed value) stored in the server (cloud) can be retrieved and presented on a graphical user interface on a website or of any mobile apparatus. The sensed values undergo a set of comparisons to check if it is still below the threshold tolerable limit. If the data violates the pre-set values or there is some sort of distortion or drastic deflection in the parameters, the alerts are generated and corrective actions are prompted to the farmers/technicians/owners of the farm through any convenient mode-SMS gateway or through the Mobile Application. The corrective actions to be performed by the farmer/ technicians/ owners of the farm can include but not limited to adding of probiotics or fresh water inside the pond, turning on the aerators, controlling the frequency of the feed and its quantity.
[00050] The sensor node device can be a floating buoy (illustrated in Fig. 1) or the sensor node device can be fitted at the catwalk in the pond. The sensor node device can act as a wireless senor node. So, such sensor node can collect information in each separate pond, thus consisting of multiple nodes forming a wireless sensor network in which each node can be used to obtain the sensor values from each of the ponds being placed. The senor nodes in each pond wirelessly communicate with the main server station where the data is analyzed and goes through set of
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rules. The data from the server is fetched and presented on a graphical user interface on a website as well as on a mobile application.
[00051] The system 1000 allows the user to retrieve the updated information about the environmental factors in the pond at any instance of time for example for the period of 120 days of farming.
[00052] Further, the system 1000 is configured to control the equipment’s used in the farm, automating said equipment’s in order to maintain the farms and keep them in a stable state with all parameters kept within their threshold limits or tolerable values. Furthermore, the system 1000 enables the farmer/owner to control equipment easily through the website GUI or application on mobile apparatus connected to the internet.
[00053] In another aspect of the disclosure, the system 1000 assists in keeping record of each and every data which can be used for further reference, e.g. creation of a data analytics report and predicting the contingencies and eventualities in the farm based on the pre-feeded predicting methodology in the controller. The system gives data analytics report and prediction of what could happen in the farm based on prediction algorithm feed in the controller, framed with the help of collection of large set of data at various seasons from various farms. Thus, giving anticipatory intimations, which could avoid disease outbreaks and mortality in the farms. [00054] Fig. 5 is an exemplary illustration of a system for pond monitoring and management having the sensor node device attached to a pillar, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensor node device 100 is attached on the catwalk pillar through a clamp 1101 which is also used to fit the solar panel 400 powering the device. The sensor node device 100 is provided with an antenna 1100 which is connected to hardware for signal transmission to the central hub via WiFi or BLE or Lora gateway or to the cloud through the cellular data. The sensor unit being connected through a cable 1102 to the sensor node device 100. The sensor node device 100 includes status led’s (5) on the outer body to know the working state of the device.
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[00055] Fig. 6 is an exemplary illustration of sensor arrangement in the system illustrated in Fig.5, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensor node device 100 further includes a stepper motor 1103, a pulley 1104, a control circuit 1105 and a channel 1106. According to an embodiment, the stepper motor 1103 is connected to the control circuit 1105 to control and hold the sensor 200. According to an embodiment, the sensor unit 200 is hung via the channel 1106 through the pulley 1104 at pre-determined level to sense the parameters of water at said level and then proceed to the another level by cyclic motion of the sensor unit 200 (sensor embedded inside a unit) using the pulley 1104, i.e. the Top level, the Middle Level or the Bottom Level. This cyclic motion of the sensor unit at three levels at regular intervals gives a wide range of data sets which is further undergone comparisons and required actions are taken based on the comparison of the sensed values with pre-determined values of various parameters. The required actions includes but not limited to activating automated control mechanisms or intimating the farmers regarding the same so that they could proceed with the manual operations if required to stabilize the parameter which is out of the tolerable value or predetermined value.
[00056] This mechanism of collecting data at various water levels is based on the fact that DO, pH, ORP and temperature values at different levels are different. Various factors such as stratification of water, forming different layers, building several areas of low oxygen levels in the pond, etc. can be detrimental to the health of the stock and its yield. So managing this parameter sensing at various water levels increases the accuracy level of the parameters thus providing farmers with exact status of the ponds in real time basis.
[00057] Fig. 7 is an exemplary illustration of an aeration system of the sensor node device, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the automated control mechanism of the sensor node device 100 includes a feeder system 700 and an aeration system 600. According to an embodiment, the aeration system 600 is connected through the radio module with the microcontroller and a relay system. According to an embodiment, the relay system is provided to trigger the aerator system 600 based on
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commands received from the microcontroller. The aerator system 600 is turned ON/OFF based on the command from the microcontroller of the sensor node device 100. The aeration cycles are optimized based on the Dissolved Oxygen values.
[00058] Fig. 8 is the depiction of a feeder system which is solar enabled, and includes a hopper in which the feed is loaded, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The feeder system 700 helps in controlling the feeding ratio based on the shrimp health and the water quality parameters. The feeding cycle and feed quantity are more important when it comes to shrimp farming. As shown in Fig. 8 and 9, the feeder system 700 includes a hopper 750 like structure consisting of nozzles 770 at the bottom of the hopper 750 which helps in spreading the feeds at the centre of the pond.
[00059] Fig. 9 shows the lower region of the feeder system including a nozzle to shatter the feed in water, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The feeder system 700 further includes a motorized unit which is controlled by the microcontroller and the motorized unit configured for running the feeder system. The motorized unit can be controlled by the microcontroller of said device 100 based on data being collected through the sensor network and also based on the feed algorithm which runs through the proposed system 1000 suggesting the farmers to change the feed size based on the days progressed in the hopper 750 of the feeder system 700. Because the excess of feed ends up creating toxic gases like ammonia which results in ammonia gas formation resulting in mortality, the feeder system 700 automation is designed such that it assists in reducing the mortality and improving the FCR.
[00060] Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary model of a cleaning mechanism of the sensor node device, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensor node device 100 further includes a cleaning mechanism 2000 attached to the sensor 200 to avoid bio-fouling and salt deposition on the sensing part of the sensors. Without the cleaning mechanism it would cause the sensors to work inaccurately leading to interpretation of error values as true values which could further lead to unforeseen circumstances or a havoc. Such mechanism would bring down the manual maintenance work of cleaning the sensor. Automating this is more
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reliable when compared to manual cleaning which may be missed out due to lethargic or unnoticed behavior by the assigned labor.
[00061] According to an embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 2000 includes a brush structure 1108 and a dc motor 1107. According to an embodiment, the brush structure 1108 connected through a shaft to the dc motor 1107. According to an embodiment, the dc motor 1107 is placed adjacent to the sensor 200. The dc motor 1107 is actuated which makes the brush 1108 to swipe through surface of sensor tip 1111 and thereby cleaning said sensor. The brush 1108 comes to rest at a position 1109 away from sensing part.
[00062] Fig. 11 illustrates an exemplary model of multiple pond monitoring using the system, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. Multiple number of ponds can be monitored using a single system. According to an embodiment, the system is provided with a 2n number of pneumatic valves, a pump (2) and a reservoir tank (1), where n being the number of ponds to which this system needs to be implemented. This 2n number of pneumatic values are synchronized with the sensor node device 100 through radio/ wired mode of communication which helps in selecting the pond from which the water sample needs to be tested out. The pump is used to pump in the water sample into the sensor 200 of sensor node device and bypassing the sample back to the respective pond through the switching of the pneumatic values. The distilled water in the reservoir tank is made to flow through the sensing unit at predetermined intervals to clean up the sensors thus avoiding bio-fouling which in-turn helps in maintaining the accuracy of the sensors.
[00063] This solution provides the access to all ponds in the farm in a row or a column pattern to be monitored through one single system which cuts down the cost compared to installing device at each pond in the farm which incurs more cost.
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[00064] The table. 1 shows the parameters measured by the sensor and the pre-determined values of said parameters. The system monitors all these parameters in real time and compare with such pre-determined values of various parameters at various time intervals down the day. Based on these data the farmer is notified with required action to be taken if necessary or the automated control mechanisms of the sensor node device is activated. The notifications being the following for each parameters.
[00065] (a)Salinity: Mostly the salinity level increases due to heat and evaporation so when it goes beyond the pre-determined value (also referred as tolerance value, ideal value) with higher salinity rate the farmers are notified to perform water exchange.
[00066] (b) pH: When the pH level decreases and goes below 7.5 or below 5 which is the max tolerable rate the farmer is notified to add lime in the pond so as to stabilise the pH rate. When the pH level increases and starts shooting above 8.3 or at max 9 then the farmer is notified to perform partial water exchange and the automated control mechanism is activated for increasing the aeration rate and decreasing the feeding rate. Because pH determines the toxicity of ammonia and such spikes in pH could create more toxic ammonia which could lead to a condition of mortality. So feeding rate is reduced to control the input of ammonia and nutrients. Aeration rate is increased to speed up the ammonia oxidation. Partial water exchange helps to dilute ammonia and other nutrients, while simultaneously thinning out phytoplanktons.
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[00067] (c) Dissolved Oxygen: The system monitors the Dissolved oxygen and activates the aeration rates based on the increase or decrease of the DO level.
[00068] (d)ORP: These parameter value gives an indirect knowledge about the amount of ammonia in the pond water. So when the value goes more than -200 mv than there are more chances of the pond bottom getting degraded or excess of feed waste getting degraded at the pond bottom which could later give rise to toxic ammonia concentration. The farmers are notified to clean their pond bottom and if there’s a central drainage system then turning on that pump will clear out the degraded soil material at the centre of the pond.
[00069] (e) Temperature: When temperature level increases either the buffer water level is notified to increase and the aeration rate is increased parallelly through the automated aeration system because the requirement of dissolved oxygen is more in warmer water than in cold water. [00070] So these are the notifications that are provided to the farmers to take actions which are manual and if there is any action required pertaining to aeration or feed control the automated control mechanisms are activated. The solutions provided are standard solutions on vital parameters going above their tolerable values but this are just suggestions to the farmers. [00071] A main advantage of the present disclosure is to reduce the risk as the system is more reliable and no need of 24/7 invigilation by the technicians.
[00072] Another advantage of the present disclosure is to allow farmers to take anticipatory actions based on prediction algorithms which works at the backend of our entire framework through artificial intelligence thereby avoiding huge losses.
[00073] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide automation of the aerators thereby unnecessary usage of aerators is restricted bringing down the electricity charges. [00074] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an up-to-date information to the farmers regarding their farms.
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[00075] Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide cleaning mechanism which
can keep the sensors clean frequently, helping towards better accuracy and no bio fouling is
involved at the sensor tip.
[00076] Another advantage of the present disclosure is to sense parameters of the water in the
various layers of the water i.e. at the top, middle and the bottom.
[00077] Another advantage of the present disclosure is to optimize the aeration cycles based on
the data analysis of the DO of the water thus cutting down the electrical consumption by the
aerators.
[00078] Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a simplified and cost-effective
system which is viable for each segment of farmers may it be small or large-scale farmers.
[00079] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the device can control the feeding
rate and frequency through the automated feeder based on shrimp health and water quality.
[00080] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the system can be employed in
multiple pond water monitoring system.
[00081] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the system can increase the yield of
high quality shrimps with increased productivity helping towards increased export of shrimps.
[00082] The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. It should
be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that
numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and
alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the
equivalents thereof.
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We Claim:
1. A system for pond monitoring and management of aquafarming; wherein said system
comprises:
a sensor node device 100;
wherein said sensor node device 100 includes a plurality of sensors 200, a
microcontroller, a radio module and automated control mechanisms;
wherein said sensors 200 configured for sensing plurality of parameters of water at
various water levels and transmitting sensed values to the microcontroller; wherein said
sensed values are values of sensed parameters;
wherein said microcontroller configured for processing said sensed values obtained from
the sensors;
wherein said microcontroller further configured for analyzing and comparing said sensed
values with a set of pre-determined values and further configured for notifying farmer
with required action to be performed or sending a signal to the automated control
mechanism of the sensor node device 100 via the radio module for activating said
automated control mechanism based on the comparison; and
thereby allowing the pond monitoring and management through the sensor node device.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensed values are storable in a cloud platform and said sensed values are fetched and compared with the pre-determined values thereby notifying farmer with required action to be performed or sending a signal to the automated control mechanism of the sensor node device 100 via the radio module for activating said automated control mechanism based on the comparison.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said parameters include dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, salinity, oxidation reduction potential and ammonia.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor node device 100 further includes underwater erected bottom tubes 500 configured for holding said sensors 200 inside the
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tube 500 and thereby providing said sensors 200 protection against water currents and solid particulates, wherein said sensors 200 are placed at various level of the water.
5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said sensor node device 100 further includes a hanger 300 and an anchor, wherein said hanger 300 and said anchor provided below the sensor node device 100, wherein said hanger 300 provided to hook the anchor for keeping said sensor node device 100 steady.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sensor node device 100 floatable in midst of the pond.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor node device 100 further includes a stepper motor 1103, a pulley 1104, a control circuit 1105 and a channel 1106;
wherein said sensor node device 100 is attachable on a pillar through a clamp 1101, wherein the stepper motor 1103 connected to the control circuit 1105 to control and hold the sensor 200;
wherein said sensor 200 hung via the channel 1106 through the pulley 1104 at pre-determined level to sense the parameters of water at said level and then proceed to the another level by cyclic motion of the sensor 200 using the pulley 1104.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said automated control mechanism of sensor
node device 100 includes a feeder system 700 and an aeration system 600;
wherein said aeration system 600 connected through a radio module with the
microcontroller and a relay system;
wherein said relay system provided to trigger the aerator system 600 based on commands
received from the microcontroller;
wherein said feeder system 700 includes a hopper 750 like structure consisting of nozzles
770 at the bottom of the hopper 750 to spread the feeds at the centre of the pond;
wherein said feeder system 700 further includes a motorized unit controlled by the
microcontroller and configured for running the feeder system.
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9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor node device 100 further includes a rechargeable battery, a solar panel 400 and a dust sensor 900, wherein said solar panel 400 provided to produce required voltage and to recharge the battery, wherein said dust sensor 900 provided to sense the dust on the solar panel 400 and to transmit sensed value to the microcontroller; wherein said microcontroller notifying the farmer to clean the solar panel 400 when the dust on the solar panel 400 exceeds a threshold value.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor node device 100 further includes a cleaning mechanism 2000 attached to the sensor 200 to avoid bio-fouling.
11. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cleaning mechanism 2000 includes a brush structure 1108 and a dc motor 1107;
wherein said brush structure 1108 connected through a shaft to the dc motor 1107;
wherein said dc motor 1107 is placed adjacent to the sensor 200;
wherein said dc motor 1107 is actuated by making the brush 1108 to swipe through
surface of sensor tip 1111 and thereby cleaning said sensor; and
wherein said brush 1108 comes to rest at a position 1109 away from sensing part.
12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said system provided with plurality of
pneumatic valves, a pump 2 and a reservoir tank 1 for monitoring multiple number of
ponds, wherein said pneumatic values are synchronized with the sensor node device 100
through radio/ wired mode of communication allowing to select the pond from which the
water sample needs to be tested out, wherein said pump configured to pump in the water
sample into the sensor 200 of sensor node device 100 and bypassing the sample back to
the respective pond through the switching of the pneumatic values.
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