Oxygen: A Critical Element Often Overlooked in Calculations
As a trusted supplier of comprehensive oxygen solutions for both land- and sea-based facilities, we have been designing and delivering tailored systems for over two decades. — A wide range of parameters must be considered in these calculations to ensure there are no errors, explains Rune Stangvik, Service and Production Manager at Imenco Aqua.
Stangvik, having considerable expertise with oxygen systems, has been with the company since its early days as Storvik Aqua and has contributed to hundreds of successful projects.
— As a full-service supplier, we oversee every stage of the process – from calculating oxygen demand, to organizing and scheduling required equipment and systems, delivery, installation, commissioning, training, and service,” he states. Often, our involvement spans the entire process, from start to finish.
— Drawing on our extensive experience with oxygenation, we assist fish farmers in ensuring that all necessary factors are included in their calculations. This approach is essential for developing systems that meet current requirements while also anticipating future needs.
The Parameter Often Overlooked
The initial calculation is a critical phase in which errors are most likely to occur, making it essential for Imenco Aqua to be actively involved from the start.
— This is where our knowledge and experience truly benefit our customers. Having done this for many years, we can identify opportunities with the chosen equipment and ensure that the customer’s needs are truly addressed, explains Lars Georg Kalseth, Service Technician at Imenco Aqua.
When designing the optimal oxygen solution for its customers, Imenco Aqua considers numerous parameters, including the size of the biomass, the number of fish, the size and depth of the tank, whether it is fresh water or sea water, and the density of the biomass within the tanks or the cages – among many others.
— Just last week, I worked with a customer who needed assistance selecting an oxygen solution. The facility was farming a specialized species, but they had overlooked the importance of water temperature in their calculations. Since their species thrives in much warmer water than what we have in Norway, their oxygen consumption increased significantly with the higher water temperature, shares Stangvik.
Temperature is just one example of the many variables that Imenco Aqua technicians account for. This highlights the importance of having thorough and accurate initial calculations of all parameters.
Prepared for the Future
In most cases, customers reach out to Imenco Aqua when they plan on upgrading their existing facilities. While the process for such upgrades often mirrors those of a new facility, technicians like Lars Georg Kalseth and Pål Ulvund must adopt a slightly different approach to account for existing infrastructure.
— Existing facilities often present constraints related to their current infrastructure. In these cases, equipment is usually replaced because it’s out- dated, and we always consider how the solutions we deliver can be expanded or adapted for future needs, explains Lars.
One example is the regulation cabinet provided by Imenco Aqua, where additional outlets are frequently recommended to accommodate future tanks.
— Another common scenario involves customers wanting to replace outdated sensors with our sensor-based regulation system. For such transitions, we can create a phased replacement plan, ensuring a seamless upgrade path without requiring a substantial upfront investment, adds Pål.
Fully Automatic Emergency Oxygenation
Imenco Aqua delivers tailor-made solutions for oxygenation, covering production, regulation, and diffusion – including oxygen generators for different production needs.
— We provide everything from manual to semi-automatic and fully automatic regulation solutions. We are among the few providers offering a fully automatic emergency oxygenation system. This system automatically supplies oxygen when levels fall below a predetermined value, Pål notes.
The regulation system logs extensive data, including water parameters, power consumption, and the amount of oxygen delivered to the tank or cage. This comprehensive operations log provides valuable insights and documentation to support fish welfare.
Advanced Regulation Systems and Innovative Oxygen Hose Solutions
Imenco Aqua is about to launch the VitaDi oxygen hose, designed specifically for land-based facilities. The hose can remain submerged in water without experiencing oxygen loss, making it an excellent choice for emergency oxygenation in facilities with a low water column, both in fresh water and salt water environments.
— A standard diffusor requires gas pressure to remain effective underwater, otherwise water can enter the diffusor and block oxygen from being released. Additionally, traditional hoses have perforations along their entire length, causing oxygen bubbles to form beneath the hose. These bubbles often merge, creating oversized bubbles. The new VitaDi hose has perforations on only one side, eliminating this issue, explains Lars Georg Kalseth.
The VitaDi hose is specifically designed for land-based facilities, including salt water environments, and has already been successfully implemented by customers in Chile.
For more information about the new VitaDi oxygen hose, contact Rune Stangvik.
Rune Stangvik
Service and Production Manager
– Oxygen, Feeding & Sensors
