Fresh Water for Tulip Bulbs
Published on : Wednesday 31-07-2024
Automation of fertilization and disinfection in flower bulb cultivation.
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In the Netherlands, the cultivation of flower bulbs has increased by almost 75 % in the last 35 years. Northern Holland is still the leader in flower bulb cultivation, but cultivation is also growing considerably in the provinces of Drenthe, Flevoland, and Overijssel. The tulip constitutes almost 50 % of cultivated plants and remains, therefore, the most commonly grown plant.
The company KaRo, based in Zwaagdijk in the Netherlands, supplies modern electrical and water technology for both the greenhouse horticulture and outdoor cultivation sectors such as fruit and plant-growing farms. The company from northern Holland was tasked by a flower bulb garden center to find a solution for regulating fertilizers and for disinfecting process water. After all, tulip bulbs are grown in water which needs to be refreshed on a regular basis.
For flower bulbs to thrive the water needs to meet specific conditions. To ensure this the correct measurement and inspection of various parameters is essential. For example, the conductivity and pH value must be regulated accurately for the right fertilization. In addition, a directive for the disinfection of process water has been established for horticultural producers. The aim of the directives for the discharge of process water is to prevent emissions from entering surface water, sewers, and groundwater as well as to avoid contamination. They must therefore be observed at all times.
Other requirements included level monitoring of the buffer tanks and digitally connecting the measurement and control technology as both the garden center and KaRo wanted to monitor the process sequence remotely.
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Fertilization and disinfection digitised
To overcome this challenge, KaRo went out in search of a comprehensive solution and found JUMO to be the perfect partner. It was soon clear that the JUMO
AQUIS touch S multichannel measuring device, with its numerous inputs, control functions, and digital interfaces was the best solution for the application.
JUMO supplied the various electrodes for measuring the redox and pH values, chlorine, and conductivity. In addition, JUMO also provided a level sensor for monitoring the buffer storage.
A device for all situations
Together with the tulip grower the relevant values were ascertained on site and processed in the JUMO AQUIS touch S. Connected sensors measure the respective measurands in the process water while the JUMO AQUIS touch S regulates the correct dosing of disinfection and fertilization fully automatically. The level in the buffer storage is also monitored.
Up to 4 analysis parameters can be connected directly to the JUMO AQUIS touch S and others via standard signals. The device can measure and manage up to 10 parameters simultaneously. Frequency inputs (counters) can be used to measure flow measurement. The measured values can also be converted into standard signals 0/4 to 20 mA or 0/2 to 10 V and exported as such for further processing in a controller/PLC.
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Single and double relay cards as well as wear-free semiconductor switches and PhotoMOS relays are available as switching outputs. Up to 17 switching outputs can be fitted. In addition, up to 4 independent control loops can be defined. A 5.5" color screen with touch-display function can be used to display all parameters as well as to operate and set up the device.
Another special feature integrated in the JUMO AQUIS touch S is a genuine paperless recorder with tamper-proof data protocol. This saves installation work and reduces measurement errors. Data blocks from different recording periods can be summarised, compiled, and graphically processed using evaluation software. Any manipulation of the data pool would be detected here.
Complete control from near and far
The JUMO AQUIS touch S provides the flower bulb nursery with a central platform for displaying and controlling the water quality with a clear display of the entire water treatment in the flower bulb garden. An IXON router was connected to the JUMO AQUIS touch S for the remote connection. This device can be easily integrated into a LAN or WLAN (Wi-Fi) via an optional Ethernet interface. The current measured values and calibration logbooks can be monitored from any end device worldwide via an Internet browser. This way, the process water can be checked via PC, tablet, or smartphone from anywhere and at any time.
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