Utilisation of solar photovoltaic pumping for aeration systems in aquaculture ponds

Abstract

This research pertains to solar photovoltaic (PV) pumping for aeration of aquaculture ponds and evaluates it economically. A stand-alone photovoltaic aeration system based on recycling of water at 10 cm under the water surface, at the surface (0 cm) and above the surface (30 cm) on a perforated tray was evaluated. The effect of pump discharges (35, 50, 65 L/min) on standard oxygen transfer rate (SOTR) and standard aeration efficiency (SAE) was investigated. Results revealed that the daily averages of PV energy output, PV efficiency and load energy were 0.844 kWh/d, 9.87% and 0.615 kWh/d, respectively, at 65 L/min and 42.7°C PV temperature. Water flow upward at 30 cm over the perforated tray in the radial direction proved to be better since it gave an opportunity for the exchange of gaseous between the water and the atmosphere. The SOTR and SAE for the third position were 0.025 kgO₂/h and 0.1 kgO₂/kW h, respectively.

Keywords:

• solar photovoltaic
• PV efficiency
• PV pumping
• aeration
• aquaculture

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to sincerely thank Prof. Dr. Zakaria Imara Head researcher of Agricultural Engineering, Rice Mechanization Center, at Kafr El-Sheikh, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute for his efforts and facilitating some materials during experimentation.