Feed Tray Research Articles

A deep learning model for estimating body weight of live pacific white shrimp in a clay pond shrimp aquaculture

This paper presents a novel approach to address the essential challenge of accurately determining the total weight of shrimp within aquaculture ponds. Precise weight estimation is crucial in mitigating issues of overfeeding and underfeeding, thus enhancing efficiency and productivity in shrimp farming. The proposed system leverages image processing techniques to detect individual live shrimp and extract pertinent features for weight estimation within a clay pond environment. Specifically, an automated feed tray captures images of live shrimp, which are then processed using a combination of Detectron2, PyTorch, and CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) for individual shrimp detection. Essential features such as area, perimeter, width, length, and posture are extracted through image analysis, enabling accurate estimation of shrimp weight. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model, utilizing these features, accurately predicts shrimp weight with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 94.50% when incorporating all extracted features. Furthermore, our system integrates a user-friendly web application that empowers farmers to monitor shrimp weight trends, facilitating precision feeding strategies and effective farm management. This study contributes a low-cost solution using a deep learning model to estimate the weight of live Pacific white shrimp in clay ponds, enabling daily weight calculations, helping farmers optimize feed quantities, providing shrimp size distribution insights, and reducing the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) for greater profitability. The procedure for shrimp feature extraction is also provided, including the calculation of shrimp length and width, as well as shrimp posture classification.

Rapid change in anti‐predator behaviour of a threatened marsupial after thousands of years of isolation from predators

AbstractPrey naivety occurs when an animal does not recognize or is unable to respond effectively to the threat of a predator. Many animals lose their anti‐predator responses if they become isolated from predators, becoming vulnerable to increased predation rates if released into areas where native or introduced predators are present. In situ exposure to introduced predators is a technique that has been shown to improve anti‐predator traits in burrowing bettongs (Bettongia lesueur) and greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) and is associated with greater survival in bilbies. However, little is known about how in situ exposure to native predators can address the issue of prey naivety. This study investigated whether Shark Bay bandicoots (Perameles bougainville) from a remnant island population isolated from all mammalian predators for several thousand years could improve their anti‐predator behaviour after living with a native predator, the western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii). We compared the vigilance and wariness behaviour, and nest site attributes of bandicoot populations living with and without native quolls at the Arid Recovery Reserve in South Australia. We found that after 6 years of quoll exposure, quoll‐exposed bandicoots had significantly larger flight initiation distances and spent more time engaged in vigilance behaviours at feed trays compared to control bandicoots. Quoll‐exposed bandicoots also selected nests with increased vegetation cover, preferring nests with both understory and overstory shrub cover present. The results of this study indicate that in situ exposure to native predators can improve vigilance and wariness behaviours in Shark Bay bandicoots over relatively short time frames. Exposing threatened species to native predators may assist with preparing them for life outside fenced safe havens.

Smart headset, computer vision and machine learning for efficient prawn farm management

Understanding the growth and distribution of the prawns is critical for optimising the feed and harvest strategies. An inadequate understanding of prawn growth can lead to reduced financial gain, for example, crops are harvested too early. The key to maintaining a good understanding of prawn growth is frequent sampling. However, the most commonly adopted sampling practice, the cast net approach, is unable to sample the prawns at a high frequency as it is expensive and laborious. An alternative approach is to sample prawns from feed trays that farm workers inspect each day. This will allow growth data collection at a high frequency (each day). But measuring prawns manually each day is a laborious task. In this article, we propose a new approach that utilises smart glasses, depth camera, computer vision and machine learning to detect prawn distribution and growth from feed trays. A smart headset was built to allow farmers to collect prawn data while performing daily feed tray checks. A computer vision + machine learning pipeline was developed and demonstrated to detect the growth trends of prawns in 4 prawn ponds over a growing season.

Design of Automatic Fish Feeding in Arduino-Based Catfish Farming

This Arduino-based fish feed aims to design and build a catfish feeder automatically based on the Arduino Uno-based fish feeding schedule. This feeder uses the RTC DS3231 to set the time and schedule for feeding fish which is equipped with a Servo Motor as a feed valve opener and an LCD as a clock and date display on the feed schedule. The weight of the feed issued is based on the weight of the catfish and the number of fish. The number of catfish in this study is 100 fish with a pond size of 2 meters by 2 meters. The scheduled feeding schedule is morning, afternoon, evening and night, depending on the age of the catfish. Considering that catfish are cannibals that eat their own kind and are nocturnal, that is, animals that are active at night and sleep during the day, it is best if some of the feed is given more in the afternoon or at night because the catfish's appetite is high at night. The feeding schedule is in the morning at 08.00, noon at 12.00, in the afternoon at 16.00 and at night at 20.00. The button on the remote will control how many times the feed will come out of the feed tray. When the feed in a fish feed container has run out, the ultrasonic sensor will work and an alarm will sound from the buzzer which sounds as a reminder. From the test results, it was obtained that the feed weight was regular after designing an Arduino Uno-based automatic fish feed structure, and the servo moved according to a predetermined schedule.

Fractionation of Oil Mixture into Jet and Diesel Fuel. Simulation and Optimization in ChemCad

The jet and diesel fuels production line has been simulated using the universal simulating program ChemCad. The choice of the rectification process calculation module was substantiated. The Grayson-Streed and Lee Kesler models were used for the calculation of the thermodynamic system and the phase equilibrium of the multicomponent mixture. The model of an oil mixture distillation unit for jet and diesel fuels production has been developed. The temperature profile of the column was obtained; the optimization problem was solved by finding the minimum number of trays in the distillation column. As a result, the optimal reflux ratio and optimal feed tray were defined, allowing to minimize energy consumption. The energy balance of the distillation column has been determined and calculated.

Exergy Analysis of Reactive Distillation Coupled with High-Pressure Column for the Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate

In this article, the Dimethyl Carbonate (DMC) synthesis process was investigated thermodynamically based on a well-optimized DMC system for a developed configuration, according to a real industrial plant, presented by Huang et al. Exergy analysis was performed using ProSimPlus software as an efficient process modeling and simulation environment that is uniquely capable of exergy balance computations. The key operational variables such as the reflux ratio (Rr), feed temperatures, and feed tray location were varied to explore their impact on the total irreversibilities, global intrinsic efficiency, and DMC purity. The influence of the high pressure (HP) column reflux ratio was the most effective parameter on the exergy destruction and DMC purity, which also significantly increased the duties of the HP column reboiler and condenser. The steady state results are reported in comparison with those found in the literature, and an excellent match is shown between them.

OPTİMİZATİON AND DYNAMİCS OF DİSTİLLATİON COLUMN

Ever increasing global energy demand necessitates the need to enhance energy generation and efficient utilization. As energy prices continue to rise, energy conservation is the prime concern for every industry. Distillation is probably the most studied unit operation in terms of optimization and control. Since distillation columns are major energy-intensive units in chemical plants and given the recent increase in fuel cost, the plant engineers are obliged to find better operating strategies and control systems. One of the significant sections that can be worked upon is finding the optimum feed tray locations of distillation columns. The energy consumptions during distillation can have a strong impact on overall profitability. Hence, the optimization of a column is aimed towards greater production and an increase in quality. Since a column is multivariable system, disturbance in any parameter can affect the overall performance as well as production loss. This paper shows how an acetone manufacturing process can be conveniently simulated first to get temperature, pressure and composition profile followed by application of optimization techniques to enhance performance. It was performed by the means of using a simulator Aspen Plus®. Keywords: distillation Simulation, column optimization, dynamic modeling, energy consumptions, energy-intensive units.

Impact of feeding strategies on the growth and nutrient discharge in the polyculture of carps using farm ponds

The present study aimed at evaluating appropriate feeding strategies to obtain maximum fish production from farm ponds at low/minimum investment costs was carried out under the Tamil Nadu-Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project financed by the World Bank. The study was carried out for 180 days at the Directorate of Sustainable Aquaculture, Thanjavur, in four, equal-sized, farm ponds with two treatments in duplicates by stocking5 species (Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Cyprinus carpio) in theratio of 1:1:1:1:2. Treatment 1 (T1) involved the feeding strategy of pelleted feed with 20% CP (crude protein)broadcast twice a day whereas in Treatment 2 (T2), the same feed was provided four times a day as feed ballsusing feed trays. Among the five species, C. carpio (779±189.01 g) and C. mrigala (670±121.38 g) stocked inT2 attained the maximum weight. Production parameters such as gross production, net production, average dailygrowth rate were not significant between the treatments, however T2 showed comparatively better results than T1.Survival rate of fishes was recorded significantly higher in T1 (35.54±2.60%) than in T2 (29.6±2.36%). Nutrientssuch as total phosphorus, total nitrogen and total potassium were significant and highly discharged in T1 than inT2. Experiment revealed that feeding fishes in trays helped to monitor the weight gain and feed intake with reducednutrient discharge, thereby proper feed management was obtained in T2 when compared to T1

Domestic cats (Felis catus) prefer freely available food over food that requires effort

Contrafreeloading is the willingness of animals to work for food when equivalent food is freely available. This behavior is observed in laboratory, domesticated, and captive animals. However, previous research found that six laboratory cats failed to contrafreeload. We hypothesized that cats would contrafreeload in the home environment when given a choice between a food puzzle and a tray of similar size and shape. We also hypothesized that more active cats would be more likely to contrafreeload. We assessed the behavior of 17 neutered, indoor domestic cats (Felis catus) when presented with both a food puzzle and a tray across ten 30-min trials. Each cat wore an activity tracker, and all sessions were video recorded. Cats ate more food from the free feed tray than the puzzle (t (16) = 6.77, p < 0.001). Cats made more first choices to approach and eat from the tray. There was no relationship between activity and contrafreeloading, and there was no effect of sex, age, or previous food puzzle experience on contrafreeloading. Our results suggest that cats do not show strong tendencies to contrafreeload in the home environment, although some cats (N = 4) ate most food offered in the puzzle or showed weak contrafreeloading tendencies (N = 5). Eight cats did not contrafreeload. Cats who consumed more food from the puzzle, consumed more food in general, suggesting a relationship between hunger and effort. Further research is required to understand why domestic cats, unlike other tested species, do not show a strong preference to work for food.

Improving a process design for the condensate stabilization unit

The condensate stabilization process is known as a common operation in gas fields with the aim of diminishing the condensate Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP). Based on feed characteristics and specified products, condensate stabilization units can be optimized by examining different process configurations. In each configuration, there exist some criteria in terms of product quality, energy saving and economic recovery, which shall be investigated so that the configuration’s performance is evaluated and selected. The aim of this study is to illustrate four condensate stabilization configurations and then to determine the proper column temperature and pressure, feed split ratio and feed tray location by means of Aspen Hysys in the configurations. In the end, it is shown that the configuration with the lowest operating pressure not only had the lowest fixed capital cost, but also consumed the lowest energy due to its high separation efficiency and low energy requirement.

OPTIMIZATION OF RECTIFICATION PROCESS USING MOBILE CONTROL ACTION WITH ACCOUNT FOR CRITERION OF MAXIMIZING SEPARATION QUALITY

The use of mobile control action allows the improvement of technical-economical characteristics of the rectification process and allows for operation regimes that can’t be achieved with traditional control approaches. Mobility lies in the ability to choose the movement law of compound source and energy in the spatial region of apparatus.&#x0D; Mobile control over the rectification process can be realized by changing the column feed point. An optimal number of feed trays must be determined with consideration of cost and output performance, and also the quality of the target product.&#x0D; The work aimed to develop a method for calculating optimal control action, including mobile ones, on the rectification process with additional account for the criterion of maximizing quality of target product, and also, comparison of static column profiles that are optimal by different criteria.&#x0D; Mathematical modeling of the rectification column for separation of water-methanol mixture revealed that increasing quality requirements to target products decreases the number of the optimal feed tray. A method was described for process optimization by the normalized criterion that accounts for separation quality and power consumption. The method was used to determine optimal values of traditional (flows of heat into the column's cube and phlegm) and mobile (feed tray number) control actions that provide the best technical-economical parameters of the rectification column.&#x0D; A proof is presented for the existence and uniqueness of solutions for this optimization problem and the effectiveness of using mobile actions for different requirements to target. The optimal temperature profile of the culms was studied and their characteristic features that correspond to different specific and normalized optimization criteria were found

Sensitivity analysis and optimization of the utility consumption of natural gas liquids (NGLs) process in the Siri Island Gas

Abstract In this study, the simulation of the natural gas liquids (NGLs) of Siri Island unit was carried out using Aspen Hysys software. Energy and economic evaluation of these towers were evaluated with Aspen Energy Analyses and Aspen Economic Evaluation, respectively. The effect of various parameters such as the use of heat exchanger instead of a cooler, feed tray changes and the mixing of two feed streams together were investigated to increase the efficiency of hydrocarbons - (Ethane, Propane, Butane, and Pentane) separation, utility consumption and costs. The simulation results showed that the input feed stream from the 10-tray using - mixing of two input 207 and 208 streams, which improves the efficiency of hydrocarbons gas separation and utility consumption compared to other parameters.

Distillation process optimization using continuous mobile control actions by redistributing the feed flow

Object. Systems of the distillation processes automatic control, that provide extreme quality indicators of the column functioning using mobile control actions and a nonlinear predictive simulation. Subject. A method for optimizing the distillation process using continuous mobile control actions in the feed flow redistribution between the apparatus’ contact devices. Aim. The method development for computation of optimal control actions on the process of multicomponent distillation, including continuous mobile actions, that provide optimal operating modes for columns according to criteria for productivity maximization and energy costs minimization. Results. The static simulation allowed computing the concentration profiles of the column for the separation of the methyl tert-butyl ether synthesis products (MTBE) and it was proved that the feed flow redistribution between two contact devices can significantly affect the apparatus’ static characteristics, meanwhile the quality of the target product is extremely dependent on the redistribution coefficient. The choice of the feed tray is justified considering the criterial losses on the contact devices of the column. The problem of the multicomponent distillation process optimizing for a normalized criterion, which simultaneously includes the process productivity and the energy consumption for its conduct, is solved. The selected criterion extremely depends on the magnitude of the continuous control action, that determines the existence and uniqueness of the optimization problem solution. Conclusions. It is proved that the continuous mobile actions allow providing many modes of operation of the column, unattainable in the class of traditional and discrete, and to improve the technical and economic performance of the process compared with cases of full feed supply to any of the trays. The research’s results can be used in solving problems of designing and optimizing the operation modes of distillation apparatuses, for making automatic control systems for distillation processes.

Process Dynamic and Control for Nonconventional Column/Rectifier Configuration with Aspen Hysys v10.0

Nonconventional column/rectifier configuration is the new alternate design for the sequence multicomponent separation of three or more products. It can accomplish an efficient energy. There are two columns, the first is the rectifier and the second is the main, the vapor sidestream is taken out from the location under the feed tray of the main column then fed to the rectifier column and the liquid that from the bottom of the rectifier column is turned back to the main column. In order to completely understand the dynamic behavior of complex process of this configuration, process dynamic and control of it has to be studied intensively. The implementation of it is demethanizer and deethanizer column. The configuration has been simulated for dynamic by using Aspen Hysys v10.0. The results show that the graph of rejecting disturbance from all controllers of the main column need more attention especially for inventory control i.e. level controller for reflux drum, sump level reboiler and pressure controller for condenser. The overshoot for level controller of reflux drum of main column is 10% from set points. The better algorithm of tuning is required. The results of this studied could provide guidance for composition controller of this configuration.

Upgrading biogas to biomethane and liquid CO2: A novel cryogenic process

In this paper, ideas for improving the cryogenic separation of CO2/CH4 mixture are drawn in order to upgrade biogas to biomethane, matching natural gas standards. On this basis, a novel technique is developed to mitigate CO2 freeze-out, which was a crucial obstacle upon implementing cryogenic approaches. In the proposed process, four-stage compression, one distillation column combined with flash separator, and sufficient heat recovery are adopted. The process is simulated in ASPEN HYSYS. The thermodynamic framework is validated against experimental data. Additionally, to reveal the efficacy of the added modifications, different configurations are modeled, starting from the simple system to the proposed one. The operating conditions – distillation pressure, reflux ratio, feed tray location, and inlet composition – are optimized towards minimizing energy demand and diminishing frosting danger. With avoiding frosting presence, the suggested process can boost CH4 purity from 60% up to 97.2% (mol), which has not been reached before in any previous studies using only one column, suitable for commercial uses. Also, a valuable by-product of high-purity liquid CO2 (above 99%) can be generated rather than being emitted into air. Compared to former cryogenic systems, the present process achieves not only the highest CH4 purity (97.2%) – even higher than previous study utilized two columns – but also the least energy penalty (0.38 kWh/Nm3cleaned_gas). Another comparison held against conventional approaches, the proposed process stands among the highest in CH4 and CO2 purities generated, witnesses the lowest in methane loss, is among the least in energy consumption, and shows high competitiveness in investment cost.

PENGARUH RANSUM YANG MENGANDUNG LIMBAH TAUGE FERMENTASI TERHADAP KECERNAAN SERAT KASAR, PROTEIN KASAR DAN ENERGI METABOLIS PADA ITIK LOKAL FASE STARTER

This research aimed to reviewing level of bean sprout fermented used in duck diet against crude fiber digestibility, crude protein digestibility and metabolic energy of diet. The research was proccessed using Complete Random Design (CRD) with four treatments and four replications. The parameters observed were crude fiber digestibility, crude protein digestibility and metabolic energy. The research material used was 48 male ducks with starter phase, treatment diet, flock cage, battery cage, feed tray, water tube, HCl, plasctic tray, scales, hygrometer, a set of proximate and gross energy analysis equipment. The research method consits two stages, the first stage was fermented of bean sprouts using 6% of Trichoderma harzianum for six days. The second phase was in vivo method with addition of bean sprout fermented in diet respectively T0 0%, T1 5%, T2 10% and T3 15%. The result data was tested by F test based on analysis of varians and if there was significant effect of treatment (P&lt;0.05) followed by the test of least significance defferent (LSD). The result of effect of diet containing bean sprouts fermented were no affected (P&gt;0.05) the crude fiber digestibility, crude protein digestibility and metabolic energy for starter phase of local ducks. Keywords : Bean Sprouts, Digestibility, Duck, Fermentation, Tricodherma harzianum.

Optimized distillation coupled with state-of-the-art membranes for propylene purification

The growing production of polyolefins, mainly polyethylene and polypropylene, currently demands increasing outputs of polymer-grade light olefins. The most commonly adopted process for the separation of olefin/paraffin mixtures is performed by energy intensive high pressure or cryogenic distillation, which is considered the most expensive operation in the petrochemical industry. The use of membrane technology offers a compact and modular solution for capital and energy savings, thanks to process intensification. In this work, we move one step forward in the design of hybrid propane/propylene separation systems, using computer aided modeling tools to identify economically optimal combinations of distillation and state-of-the-art membranes. A model is proposed to optimize a hybrid configuration, whereby the membrane performs the bulk separation and the distillation column is intended for the final product polishing, accounting for membrane investment cost and process operating expenses. The decision variables are the membrane area and the column reflux ratio, and the model is able to calculate the optimal feed trays. The upper-bound properties of selected membranes, which define their performance and reliability criteria, have been studied, benchmarking the economic evaluation against conventional distillation in order to assess the expedience of a hybrid system implementation.

Energy saving in a crude distillation unit with a divided wall column

ABSTRACTAn energy-efficient crude distillation unit (CDU) with a divided wall column was introduced to evaluate its performance compared to the conventional CDU. The large energy demand of the CDU in the United States—equivalent to more than a half of biofuel produced—was reduced by applying a divided wall column to the unit also known as the energy-efficient distillation column. The divided wall column lowers mixing at feed tray and raises the thermodynamic efficiency of the CDU. The performance evaluation of the proposed unit indicates that the unit saves 37% of heat supply over the conventional unit and cooling by 17%. The economic analysis shows a 9% of investment saving and a 26% decrease in the utility cost from the proposed unit. The thermodynamic efficiency of the proposed CDU is improved by 8%. The modification of conventional CDU was minimal, suggesting an easy revamping of the current conventional CDUs.

Inclusion levels and modes of whole grain incorporation into wheat-based rations differentially influence the performance of broiler chickens

ABSTRACT1. The objective was to compare three whole grain (WG) inclusion levels (7.5, 15 and 30%) offered to broiler chickens by three modes of WG incorporation: (i) pre-pellet WG inclusion, (ii) post-pellet WG inclusion as a blend of WG and pelleted concentrate and (iii) post-pellet WG inclusion where WG and pelleted concentrate were provided in separate feed trays against a ground-grain, wheat-based control diet.2. Ten dietary treatments were offered to 6 replicate cages (6 birds per cage) of male Ross 308 chickens from 7 to 28 d post-hatch. The effects of treatment on relative gizzard weights, gizzard contents, pancreatic weights and pH of gizzard digesta were monitored. Parameters of growth performance, nutrient utilisation (apparent metabolisable energy [AME], metabolisable to gross energy [ME:GE] ratios, nitrogen [N] retention and N-corrected AME [AMEn]), apparent starch and protein (N) digestibility coefficients and disappearance rates in for small intestinal segments and concentrations of free amino acids in plasma taken from the anterior mesenteric vein were determined.3. Whole grain feeding (WGF) did not influence weight gain, but 30% post-pellet blended and 15 and 30% post-pellet separated treatments significantly depressed (P < 0.05) feed intakes while the 30% post-pellet separated treatment improved (P < 0.01) feed conversion ratios (FCR). WGF regimes significantly increased relative gizzard weights.4. Overall, WGF generated profound responses in AME, ME:GE ratios, N retention and AMEn that were highly correlated with relative gizzard weights. In general, WGF improved starch and protein (N) digestibilities and again there were some correlations with these outcomes and relative gizzard weights.5. Post-pellet WG inclusions where WG and pelleted concentrate were offered separately provided chickens with the opportunity to choice feed. Birds showed a preference for the relatively high-protein pelleted concentrate and at 30% WG, this resulted in an improvement in FCR of 7.69% (1.260 versus 1.365; P < 0.001) relative to the ground-grain control diet.

The influence of the selection of macronutrients coupled with dietary energy density on the performance of broiler chickens.

A total of 360 male Ross 308 broiler chickens were used in a feeding study to assess the influence of macronutrients and energy density on feed intakes from 10 to 31 days post-hatch. The study comprised ten dietary treatments from five dietary combinations and two feeding approaches: sequential and choice feeding. The study included eight experimental diets and each dietary combination was made from three experimental diets. Choice fed birds selected between three diets in separate feed trays at the same time; whereas the three diets were offered to sequentially fed birds on an alternate basis during the experimental period. There were no differences between starch and protein intakes between choice and sequentially fed birds (P > 0.05) when broiler chickens selected between diets with different starch, protein and lipid concentrations. When broiler chickens selected between diets with different starch and protein but similar lipid concentrations, both sequentially and choice fed birds selected similar ratios of starch and protein intake (P > 0.05). However, when broiler chickens selected from diets with different protein and lipid but similar starch concentrations, choice fed birds had higher lipid intake (129 versus 118 g/bird, P = 0.027) and selected diets with lower protein concentrations (258 versus 281 g/kg, P = 0.042) than birds offered sequential diet options. Choice fed birds had greater intakes of the high energy diet (1471 g/bird, P < 0.0001) than low energy (197 g/bird) or medium energy diets (663 g/bird) whilst broiler chickens were offered diets with different energy densities but high crude protein (300 g/kg) or digestible lysine (17.5 g/kg) concentrations. Choice fed birds had lower FCR (1.217 versus 1.327 g/g, P < 0.0001) and higher carcass yield (88.1 versus 87.3%, P = 0.012) than sequentially fed birds. This suggests that the dietary balance between protein and energy is essential for optimal feed conversion efficiency. The intake path of macronutrients from 10–31 days in choice and sequential feeding groups were plotted and compared with the null path if broiler chickens selected equal amounts of the three diets in the combination. Regardless of feeding regimen, the intake paths of starch and protein are very close to the null path; however, lipid and protein intake paths in choice fed birds are father from the null path than sequentially fed birds.