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Introduction
Product Idea
Product Idea
A comprehensive integration of three distinct applications is achieved in our product, where a solar power electrical pump, rain harvesting, and an aquaponics system are seamlessly combined. The synergistic merging of these technologies allows for an efficient and sustainable solution where solar energy is harnessed to power electrical pump, rainwater is harvested for various applications, and an aquaponics system is implemented to cultivate plants and foster aquaculture. This innovative product represents a holistic approach to resource utilization and environmental sustainability, offering users a versatile and interconnected solution for their energy, water, and agriculture needs.
Solar Power Electrical Pump
Solar Power Electrical Pump
Renewable Energy Advocacy: The promotion of renewable energy is emphasized through the proposal to harness sunlight absorption.
Sunlight Absorption: Electrons within the silicon material are excited, undergoing energization due to sunlight absorption.
Generation of Direct Current (DC): This excitation paves the way for the generation of direct current (DC), creating electricity in the form of DC.
Environmental Benefits: The approach is inherently clean and well-suited for equatorial locations, ensuring consistent exposure to sunlight for optimal energy generation.
Ideal for Equatorial Locations: The methodology proves particularly advantageous in regions blessed with abundant sunlight, making it an environmentally conscious and sustainable means of meeting energy needs.
Holistic Sustainability: The integration of sunlight absorption, DC generation, and renewable energy advocacy represents a holistic and environmentally friendly approach to power generation.
Aquaponic System
Aquaponic System
Combination of Methods: The innovative approach involves the integration of aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics (plant cultivation without soil).
Components: This method incorporates aquaculture for the purpose of raising aquatic animals alongside hydroponics for efficient plant cultivation.
Nutrient Cycle: A symbiotic nutrient cycle is established, where the waste produced by aquatic animals in aquaculture serves as a valuable source of nutrients for the plants in the hydroponic system.
Water Purification: The system incorporates water purification mechanisms, utilizing the plants in the hydroponic component to filter impurities and effectively purify the water circulating through the system.
Holistic Sustainability: This combined aquaculture and hydroponics system not only promotes efficient resource utilization but also exemplifies a holistic and sustainable approach to agriculture, where the mutually beneficial relationship between aquatic animals and plants contributes to overall system health and productivity.
Rain Harvesting
Rain Harvesting
Collection: The process entails the gathering of rainwater that precipitates onto a designated surface.
Storage: The collected rainwater is systematically stored, creating a reservoir for future use and conservation.
Versatility of Purposes: The accumulated rainwater proves to be a versatile resource, available for utilization in a myriad of activities such as irrigation, household chores, and other applications that benefit from a sustainable water source.
Problem Statement
Energy Wastage
Energy Wastage
Financial Cost: The wastage of energy within a system becomes a significant contributor to financial costs, as excess energy usage translates into higher bills.
Environmental Impact: Energy waste not only affects financial considerations but also leads to adverse environmental impacts. For example, inefficient energy use contributes to increased carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change and environmental degradation.
Resource Depletion: The inefficient use of energy resources further exacerbates resource depletion. As energy sources are depleted at an unsustainable rate, it underscores the importance of adopting energy-efficient practices to preserve valuable resources for future generations.
Water Wastage
Water Wastage
Resource Depletion: The high-volume usage of water within a system becomes a significant concern, contributing to resource depletion and emphasizing the need for sustainable water management practices to ensure long-term environmental health and resource availability.
Financial Cost: The elevated water consumption not only contributes to resource depletion but also results in higher water bills, adding a financial burden. Managing and mitigating this financial cost becomes crucial for ensuring the economic feasibility and sustainability of the water utilization system.
Polluted Water
Polluted Water
Waste: The presence of waste produced by fish poses a challenge in terms of its proper disposal and potential negative impact on water quality, requiring effective management strategies.
Algae Growth: The growth of algae, while a natural occurrence, can become problematic when it reaches excessive levels, leading to potential imbalances in the aquatic environment.
Bacteria: The relationship between algae growth and the proliferation of bacteria adds complexity to the system, as bacterial presence can influence the overall health of the ecosystem.
Acidic pH Level: The accumulation of a high amount of bacteria presents a potential issue, as it may contribute to an increase in the acidity of the water, posing a challenge for maintaining a stable and suitable pH level for aquatic life.
Literature Review
The Water Cycles
The Water Cycles
Water plays a crucial role in agriculture, serving as a vital resource for growing fresh produce and sustaining livestock. The quality of water in agriculture is of utmost importance, impacting the health and quality of crops and livestock, as well as the economic stability of the farming industry. To maintain good water quality, disinfection is essential.
Common uses of water in agriculture include irrigation, spraying, providing drinking water for livestock, and cleaning livestock facilities. While agricultural irrigation constitutes a relatively small portion of water consumption in the UK, it is demanding and doesn't return water to the environment in the short term. Farms source their irrigation water from rivers, streams, boreholes, and mains supplies. Maintaining water quality is crucial across these various sources.
The quality of water directly affects crop yields and livestock production. Poor water quality, often due to bacterial contamination, can harm crops, milk yields, and animal health. Biofilms in water supplies can be particularly resistant to cleaning and disinfection, making it essential to use effective disinfection methods.
River Water Quality Trend, 2008-2018
River Water Quality Trend, 2008-2018
Out of the 638 rivers monitored, 357 (56%) showed clean water quality, 231 (36%) were slightly polluted while 50 (8%) were polluted
Example of Water Quality Status of Clean Rivers, 2018
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3 -N) and Suspended Solids (SS) remained significant in terms of river pollution. High BOD can be attributed to inadequate treatment of sewage or effluent from agrobased and manufacturing industries. The main sources of NH3 -N may be attributed from animal farming and domestic sewage, while the sources for SS were mainly due to improper earthworks and land clearing activities
What is Fertigation?
New technologies in irrigation methods have brought some conveniences and innovations in the application of fertilizers. For example, drip irrigation system has become an indispensable part of modern agricultural production. This system has provided the opportunity for the fertilisers to be administered with irrigation water. In this so-called “fertigation” method, water-soluble fertilizers are delivered to fruit trees by means of a fertilizer tank installed into the irrigation system. Besides fertilizers; herbicides’, insecticides, fungicides and growth regulators can also be given via the fertigation technique
Fertigation Cons
Applying fertiliser through an irrigation system is a process known as fertigation. Although fertigation can save time and labour, it can damage irrigation systems if not done correctly. Fertilisers contain salts that can clog nozzles and build up on pipes, eventually leading to system failure. In addition, fertilisers can change the pH of the water, making it more acidic and corrosive. To avoid damage to your irrigation system, be sure to use a trustworthy fertiliser and test the pH of the water before applying it. In addition, be sure to flush the system regularly to remove any buildup of salt or sediment.
Benchmark
Product Compared
Product Compared
This is a product compared for our group project. From this comparison we decided the best material and everything needed.
Customers and Competitors
CUSTOMERS
Small-scale home: Individuals or communities engaged in small-scale farming activities that optimize water usage and increase crop yields through sustainable practices like aquaponics and rainwater harvesting. citizens interested in sustainable living practices and eco-friendly solutions may be interested in installing a rainwater harvesting aquaponics system to promote self-sufficiency and environmentally friendly food production.
Farmer: Individuals living in areas with limited access to agricultural land may find rainwater harvesting aquaponic systems beneficial for growing fresh produce in limited spaces, such as balconies, rooftops, or small gardens.
Educational institution: Schools, colleges, and universities are interested in incorporating rainwater harvesting aquaponic systems into their educational curriculum to promote hands-on learning and raise awareness about sustainable agriculture and water management.
COMPETITORS
Waterfarmers Aquaponic: Aquaponics Exhibits (Using fish waste as fertilizer for plants, leafy greens, herbs and microgreens are grown and harvested by community center staff and volunteers). Specializes in designing and implementing aquaponic systems for commercial and community projects, with an emphasis on sustainable water management practices.
Nelson and Pade Inc.: A company specializing in aquaponic systems and training, offering various commercial and backyard aquaponic systems. The vegetable crops from these systems can be harvested daily to meet market demand. their systems are designed for continuous vegetable production, 365 days/year. Each commercial system uses multiple fish tanks for staggered harvesting. They use tilapia which means it will harvest a tank full of fish every 3, 4 or 6 weeks.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Hydroponic: The NFT system uses a pump to deliver water to the grow tray and a drained pipe to recycle the unused water nutrient solution.
Customer Requirements
1. Sustainable Water Management: Rainwater harvesting aquaponic systems, which effectively collect and store rainwater for use in the aquaponic system, are highly sought after by customers. This practise lessens reliance on outside water sources and encourages sustainable water management techniques.
2. Optimized Crop Production: Customers might need aquaponic systems that guarantee effective water and nutrient utilisation for healthy plant development while facilitating the best possible growth of a range of crops, such as vegetables and herbs.
3. Water Quality and Safety: Customers expect the aquaponic system to maintain high water quality standards, ensuring the safety and health of the aquatic life and the plants cultivated within the system.
4. Energy Efficiency: Customers may prioritize energy-efficient solutions that minimize power consumption while ensuring the effective operation of pumps, filters, and other system components.
5. Ease of Operation and Maintenance: Customers often look for user-friendly systems that are easy to operate and maintain, with simple monitoring and control mechanisms for water flow, nutrient levels, and overall system performance.
Engineering Characteristic
Pump and Filtration System: Selecting suitable pumps and filtration systems that can handle the specific water flow requirements and effectively remove debris, sediment, and contaminants from the collected rainwater, maintaining optimal water quality for the aquaponic system.
2. Hydraulic Design: Ensuring an effective hydraulic design that facilitates the proper distribution of rainwater throughout the aquaponic system, including the fish tanks, and filtration components, to maintain a balanced and stable water flow.
3. Waste Management and Recycling: Implementing effective waste management and recycling strategies to handle organic waste from the aquaponic system, such as fish waste and plant residues, and utilize them for composting or other agricultural purposes, promoting sustainability and resource efficiency.
4. Energy Efficiency: Incorporating energy-efficient components and design features, such as energy-saving pumps, lighting systems, and automation technologies, to minimize energy consumption and reduce operational costs associated with running the aquaponic system.
5. Water Storage Capacity: Determining the required water storage capacity to accommodate fluctuations in rainfall and meet the water demand of the aquaponic system during dry periods, ensuring continuous operation and plant growth.
Relevant Standard
1. Electrical Standards: The electrical components of the project, such as solar panels, inverters, and wiring, must adhere to electrical safety standards and codes
2. Water Quality Standards: If we plan to use rainwater for aquaponics, we should ensure the collected water meets water quality standards. This may involve filtration and treatment processes to guarantee the safety and health of your aquaponic system.
3. Solar Panel Standards: Ensure proper installation to prevent damage or hazards.
4. Safety Protocols: Ensure the safety of your system's users and operators. Implement safety protocols for working with electricity, water, and chemicals.
5. Plumbing Codes: If our project includes plumbing for the aquaponics system or rainwater harvesting, adhere to local plumbing codes and standards
6. Quality Control and Assurance: Implement quality control and assurance processes to maintain the effectiveness and safety of your systems. Regularly monitor and maintain our equipment and infrastructure
Product Design Specification (PDS)
The aquaponic system is designed to provide a sustainable and efficient method for growing plants and fish in a closed-loop system. It should promote plant growth through nutrient-rich water and maintain a healthy environment for fish.
From the marketing survey, we able to conclude that our product need to be:
1.suitable for use in small-scale home or educational settings
2.incorporate both hydroponic and aquaculture components, integrating plant beds and fish tanks.
3.prioritize sustainability and ease of maintenance
4.affordable and scalable to meet requirements from different stakeholders.
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