by Gandhi Kesuma, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember – ITS
The traditional use of aerators by shrimp farming farmers requires a significant enough power source, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the farmers’ production. Therefore, the Community Empowerment Real Work Lecture (KKN PM) team from the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) created a photovoltaic-based aerator to strengthen the economy of farmers.
PM I KKN Team Leader Putu Eka Widya Pratama SSi MSc RWTH conveyed that aerators are essential to provide oxygen supply in developing shrimp aquaculture. The lecturer, who is familiarly called Eka, explained that his team chose Gunung Anyar Tambak Village, Surabaya, to implement the innovation because it is one of the villages developing shrimp farming and is expected to become a digital village by developing renewable energy.
The lecturer of the Instrumentation Engineering Department revealed that the KKN members he leads consist of 14 students from the Instrumentation Engineering Department, seven students from the Electrical Engineering Department, and two students from the Business Statistics Department. This KKN activity itself has been implemented since last June. “Here (PM KKN activities, ed), students can contribute by developing renewable energy for Gunung Anyar Tambak Village,” said Eka.
Eka explained again that this team made a device called a photovoltaic-based aerator. Namely, a tool that produces air bubbles powered by sunlight which functions to produce additional oxygen in the aquarium, in this case, the pond. This tool can increase the amount and quality of oxygen the shrimp needs in the pond. “That way, the shrimp will grow healthier and faster,” he explained.
In addition to using environmentally friendly energy, continued Eka, this tool will use a system that works automatically. Eka explained that when the solar panel is exposed to sunlight, it will release electricity which the controller controls to stabilize the energy output voltage from the solar panel. The controller puts the solar panel energy into the battery when the machine is not running, often called battery charging.
When the engine is running, the power from the motor is drawn from the battery and passes through the controller. When the charging voltage in the battery has reached a whole state, the controller will stop the electric current from entering the battery to prevent overcharging. So the battery life will be much longer lasting. “That way, this aerator battery will last for 10-15 years,” said Eka.
A graduate of the Master’s degree from Aachen University, Germany, the components used in this aerator consist of a 200 Wp 24VDC solar panel, an aerator frame as a place for installing solar panels, an eight-leaf windmill for paddling water and restoring oxygen levels, DC motor PG45 RPM 500 Torque 25 kilograms. as a driving wheel, a buoy as a component lifter, as well as a box panel as a protective tool that uses the electricity network.
Meanwhile, to activate this tool, you only need to use the power button on the box panel, which functions to activate and deactivate the system. The motor will rotate the wheel automatically to produce air bubbles when activated. This aerator itself will work according to certain hours and minutes. “This tool will stop operating for four hours, from 11.00 to 14.00,” he said.
In the future, Eka hopes to apply the Internet of Things (IoT) to the aerator. So that farmers can control and monitor the aerator from home using an integrated smartphone. For now, Eka hopes that the existing aerators can increase the effectiveness of farmers’ production in Gunung Anyar Tambak Village. “Hopefully, it can improve the quality and quantity of shrimp farmers,” he said.
