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Design and Fabrication of an Aerator Cum Oxygen Accumulator for Live Fish Transport

Sazzad Mahmud Rifat
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Muhammad Ashik-E-Rabbani
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Md Samiul Basir
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

AKM Nowsad Alam
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Bangladesh secured the third position in freshwater fish and fisheries product producing country where around 4.134 million metric ton of fish is extracted annually. Fish transporting in traditional method reduces fish freshness and thus causes serious economic loss. Further, for live fish transportation, maintaining water quality is a challenge, with the course of time, oxygen, pH and temperature of water deteriorate. Considering this issue, a study was undertaken to construct simple, low energy consumed aerator-cum-oxygen accumulator for live fish transport. A 12-volt 3-ampere DC motor operated 1100 GPH bilge pump was modified with the venturi principle to construct the aerator. The experiment was conducted to evaluate its performance for live fish transport and compared with the results in a condition of with and without an aerator. 45 (forty-five) numbers of Rohu fish (Labeo Rohita) with an average weight of 378 g were put in a tank of 650 liters for this experiment. After six hours of the test, different parameters were measured in both conditions. With the device, dissolved oxygen and pH level were found as 9.3 mg/l and 7.8 and without the device, dissolved oxygen and pH level were found 6.2 mg/l and 7.1, respectively in six hours of operation. On the other hand, without the device, the dissolved oxygen level decreased from 6.5 mg/l to 2.2 mg/l and pH level increased from 8.30 to 9.70 in six hrs of the test. Besides, by using, the device mortality rate of fishes was zero but without the device, the mortality rate was 11.11%. Water temperature changing was insignificant during the experiment. Results indicate that for reducing losses of fish and increase the income of fisherman, this device might be suitable for live fish transport.

Keywords: Fish, Transportation, Loss, Water quality, Aerator-cum oxygen-accumulator

Location: Engineering Workshop, Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensinh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Postharvest and Agro-processing

Commodity: Fish

Objectives:

To construct simple, low energy consumed aerator-cum-oxygen accumulator for live fish transport.

Methodology:

The device was fabricated and tested at the Engineering Workshop, Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University. It was a test model of Aerator-Cum-Oxygen Accumulator device that was made by the materials which were available in the market. Schematic diagram of Aerator-Cum-Oxygen Accumulator- The schematic diagram of Aerator-Cum-Oxygen Accumulator was designed using Fusion 360 3D design software. shows the design of Aerator-Cum- Oxygen Accumulator. Fabrication of Aerator-Cum-Oxygen Accumulator- The major materials required to fabricate the machine were a submersible pump, PVC pipe, PVC female reducer, rubber tube. The submersible pump used was a bilge water pump. Two PVC reducers were attached face to face to make a venturi for pressure drop. The venturi was attached by one end to the pump outlet. The other end of the venturi unit was joined with a PVC pipe of 25 cm length. At the divergent end, a hole was drilled and a rubber tube was added to accumulate ambient air. Water pressure drops and air mixes with water at the venturi unit following the venturi principle (Baylar, 2006).

Laboratory test setup- The materials needed for a laboratory test are transportation tank, plastic covering, vehicle dynamo, battery, 12v relay, Aerator-Cum-Oxygen Accumulator device and most importantly live fish. There are some factors governing for the performance evaluation of Aerator-Cum Oxygen-Accumulator device for live fish transport. Such as in the experiment pond water was used for the source of water for transportation as it contains much oxygen. Secondly fishes were in good condition and fish density was 35 kg/m³ and fishes was handled with care. Thirdly, distance and type of road is an important factor, which was considered. Last but not the least similar variety and sized fishes was used. from vehicle dynamo. But when the vehicle was static and the engine was stopped, the relay changed the circuit and power supply unit switched to the battery of the vehicle. In laboratory test setup a tank was used to carry water and fish. Polythene cover was used to confine the water in the tank and seal the leakage of the tank. Aerator- Cum-Oxygen Accumulator device was used to enhance the level of DO (dissolve oxygen) and circulate the water for a uniform mixture of oxygen in the water for fish welfare. Live fishes were collected from a local pond. Parameter testing- To assess a study or work some parameters needs to be tested. The parameters that were tested in this study are the mortality rate of fish, DO (dissolve oxygen) level, temperature and pH level. Mortality rate- The most imperative parameter for evaluating this study is mortality rate with respect to time. The mortality rate of fish was inspected visually and calculated against the total number of fishes that were used in the experiment. DO (dissolve oxygen) level- Oxygen is a salient property of water to transport live fish. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a measure of the amount of oxygen freely available in the water. A higher dissolved oxygen level indicates better water quality. The fluctuation of DO was measured by a portable dissolved oxygen meter named Lutron Do-5509 Dissolved Oxygen Meter with an accuracy of ± 0.4 mg/L and resolution of 0.1 mg/L. Temperature measurement- Water temperature affects the mortality rate and oxygen requirement of fishes. The temperature was measured by a temperature sensor which was collaborated with a microcontroller (Arduino-UNO). A waterproof DS18B20 Digital Thermal Probe or Sensor was used as temperature sensor and a 10K resistor was used to control electrical current. pH sensor- At the time of live fish transport, respiration level and feces get increased as a result of stress. Hence the pH level of water gets changed. The oxygen concentration of water also depends on the pH level of water. The pH level of water was measured using a pH meter. Hanna Pocket Sized pH Meter Hi96107 was used to measure pH of water and recorded in a computer. Experimental setup for performance test- The first experiment was done with no load condition i.e. the only aerator was used with no fish. In the second case, only the fishes (17 kg) were loaded in the transportation tank without any aerator. At last, fishes were loaded in the transportation tank with the aerator device as the third case.

Source of Information: J Bangladesh Agril Univ 17(4): 592–598, 2019

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v17i4.44630

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

For transporting live fish, it is necessary to provide oxygen and circulate the water. The concentration of dissolved oxygen is an important indicator of water quality because aquatic life lives on the dissolved oxygen in the water. Aeration can increase dissolved oxygen when levels become deficient. By using the device above two criteria are fulfilled. The device was found worthy for live fish transport and if fishes can be transported live then losses will be small, fishermen will be benefited and national income will be increased. Besides, it is lightweight, easy construction, negligible maintenance and runs by the power of the vehicle engine. Future research is needed to conduct in the aquaculture farm, where live fishes are transported to study the ideal condition and cost analysis of the technology.

Knowledge Management: Journal