User Manual

Flexible Feeding System

Technology for Sustainable Biology

Thank you for choosing AKVA group

AKVA group develops, manufactures and supplies technology and services aimed at solving biological and technical challenges in the global aquaculture industry.

All our products, from single components to service assignments and complete farms, are designed to achieve the best possible fish welfare, operational performance and

profitability for our customers.

We aim to write easy to understand user manuals, while providing as accurate and updated information as possible.

In order to do this, we rely on input, feedback and collaboration with people who use our products. We

appreciate all the input we have received, as this helps us provide better and safer equipment and solutions.

Please contact us through our websites with questions or suggestions for improvements.

This manual is written in correlation with the requirements in the Safety of Machinery.

Unless such responsibility has been agreed upon in a separate written contract with AKVA group, we are not

responsible for loss, damage or incorrect use of equipment or software that arises as a result of errors in text or

illustrations, or by following instructions in this user manual.

For a thorough introduction to your AKVA group product, carefully read through this user manual before assembling,

installing or using the product. Most of our user manuals are available from our website:

www.akvagroup.com/user-manuals.

Together we can contribute to making sure that fish farming is an environmentally friendly, sustainable and growing

industry that produces safe and healthy seafood for a global market.

Best regards,AKVA group

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Table of Content1 Health and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.1 Safety Symbol Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.2 Technical Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.3 Risk Associated with Electric Live Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.4 Safety Risk by Feeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.5 Receiving new Equipment and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.6 Recycling and Waste Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.7 Emergency Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2 Product Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62.1 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62.2 Specifications of Surroundings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3 Components of the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73.1 Tension Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83.2 Pipeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83.3 Bend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83.4 Inlet Valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93.5 Wire and Discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93.6 Outlet Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93.7 Inspection Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103.8 Buffer Silo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103.9 Brush Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103.10 Drive Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4 The Control System of Feeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Flexible Feeding System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115.1 Checklist at Start up of Feeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

6 Maintenance of the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126.1 Maintenance of Brush Box and Outlet Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126.2 Maintenance of Tension Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126.3 Maintenance of Wire, Discs and Wire Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136.4 Clean Tubes with Cleaning Sponge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

7 Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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1 Health and SafetySafety for the user of our equipment is important when AKVA group ASA develop new products and user manuals.

We strongly recommend that everyone who is going to be using the AKVA product, all who perform any type of repairs, service or other maintenance to AKVA products, and all who work in areas where such products are installed, are aware of the contents in this manual.

This recommendation is based on both personnel safety as well as a desire to keep AKVA products in order, and to avoid risk of damages as a result of not following safety instructions.

The technician manual responds to the most common questions for daily use and maintenance of equipment.

1.1 Safety Symbol Information

CarefulSymbol placed in text describing possible situations and other concerns that user of equipment should pay attention to.

WarningWarning symbol indicating a situation that can lead to injury/damage of personnel, equipment or surrounding items.

NoteSymbol indicating useful hints and recommendations for effective use of the product.

Go to Click on the Underlined text to go to, or see page, section or other document for further instructions or more information.

Recycling Symbol providing information about recycling and waste disposal.

Go to All AKVA group technician manuals can be found at : https://www.akvagroup.com/user-manual

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1.2 Technical ConditionThe flexible feeding system shall never be operated unless the components are correctly installed by qualified personnel. Only qualified personnel can perform installation and maintenance of the system. Technical personnel from AKVA group that perform work operations on the system are regarded as qualified personnel.

To prevent use of defect equipment, follow the procedures in this technician manual. If any of the equipment is operated in defective condition, safety features and availability will be weakened. To avoid use of defect equipment, follow procedures found in this technician manual.

Use only original spare parts supplied by AKVA group. Unauthorized rebuilding and modifications of the equipment is not recommended. The technician manual answers the most common questions concerning installation, usage and maintenance.

1.3 Risk Associated with Electric Live PartsDanger of electrical live parts and risk of accidents are related to the following parts of the system: • The mains supply/switch of the main control cabinet.• Frequency converters of the main control cabinet• The motors for driving the dosers and the selector valves• The incoming voltage connected to the main switch remains live even with the switch off.

1.4 Safety Risk by FeedingFlexible feeding system has an automatic start through user defined instructions. Unwanted start up can be avoided by using the service switch.

1.5 Receiving new Equipment and MaintenanceMake sure that all parts are delivered according to the service note. If the order is not complete, or if any defects are discovered, contact AKVA group immediately. Exercise great caution at transport, unpacking, storage and installation.

1.6 Recycling and Waste Disposal

Warning

The main rule is to turn off all the related electric equipment during installation, maintenance and repair. During troubleshooting it might be necessary to have power on but be aware of which parts have power on/off.

Recycling The equipment of flexible feeding shall be handled according to waste disposal for recycling. The waste shall be sorted according to labels, e.g. electrical components that are EC marked should be sorted as electric waste.

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1.7 Emergency Stop

The machines are connected to emergency stops. Users of the system shall know the placement of these, and what equipment are connected. Emergency stops shall only be activated in case of damage to personnel or equipment. Before system is started again after an emergency stop has been activated, the cause SHALL be found and corrected. After emergency stop it is necessary to deactivate the emergency switch at the same place it was activated. Emergency stop is a condition that overrules all other control functions, removes electric live parts, and stops all movable parts run by the system.

2 Product InformationFlexible feeding system consist of an inlet valve that transports pellets through a tubular conveyer system from the silo and to any selected pen, through the buffer silo. This process is operated through an advanced control platform, AKVAconnect. Flexible feeding is a product in the product series Akvasmart. The tubular conveyor is delivered from Cablevey Conveyers. The equipment is delivered with an original user manual from the producer, in addition to this user manual witch will describe how the system is operated and maintained.

2.1 SpecificationsSpecifications Flexible feeding system

Wire and Discs 5/8’’stainless steel max. length 80 m and nylon discs

Outlet Diverter Three ways selector, stainless steel and aluminum

Pipe 6 ‘‘stainless steel

Brush Box Double brushes stainless steel cabinet with funnel for

overflowTension Unit Manual tension adjustment, stainless steel cabinet

with nylon gear Sensors included for:

-Opening cover for access-Tension

-Wire speed and dosage- Home-function

Load cell Digital stainless steel sensors, triple configuration for

every buffer tanks. Capacity at 1000 or 3000 kg Buffer silo Capacity until 9000 kg

WarningAll emergency stops and service switches shall be easy to reach and without obstacles. Objects shall never be placed to prevent access to them.

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Figure 3.1: - Overview of components in flexible feeding.

2.2 Specifications of Surroundings

Temperature Min (° C) Max (° C)Temperature at operations 2 38Temperature at standstill 2 38

Humidity Min (%) Max (%)Relative humidity 25 50

3 Components of the System

Drive UnitBrush Box

Tension Unit

Outlet ValveBuffer SiloInspection Tube

Brush Box return to Inlet FunnelBend Inlet Valve

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Figure 3.2: - Overview parts of tension unit

3.1 Tension UnitTension unit functions by automatically adjusting wire circuit with tension. When the system stops it returns to the home position. Tension unit has four sensors:-Cover safety switch -Pulse counter sensor -Home position sensor-Tension sensor

1 Spring 6 Cover safety switch2 Tension sensor 7 Red wear marker3 Idler frame 8 Sprocket4 Home position sensor 9 Toothpick5 Pulse counter sensor 10 Inlet and outlet

3.2 PipelineThe pipeline transports pellets from inlet valve by help of wire and discs to diverter (outlet valve). The pipeline is connected to the drive unit, tension unit, brush box, brush box return, bend and all other components. The system can be specially designed to suit the construction.

3.3 BendsBends, also called sweeps, are used to alter the direction of the wire and product in the conveyor system. Bends are available for 0 - 90 degrees, and can be attached to both roof, floor and walls, and are connected by clamps.

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3.4 Inlet ValvesInlet valve can be a doser, or an auger that distribute pellets in transition from a feed source (silo) and into the tubular conveyor system.

3.5 Wire and Discs

Wire and discs form a continuous loop that moves the pellets. The flat face of the discs pulls the pellets along the system. The conical side faces the sprocket teeth in the tension unit. The wire connection attaches to two metal connectors together to complete the loop. The wire connection consists of a female and male connection.

3.6 Outlet ValveThe outlet valve is in this case a diverter placed above the buffer silos, between the inlet valve and brush box. There is one diverter per two buffer silos. A positioning sensor is found at the right side, with a motor connected to a junction box at the left side.

Figure 3.3: - Doser left, and auger right.

Figure 3.4: - Wire and disc

Figure 3.5: - Outlet valve

Positioning sensor

Junction box

Motor/gear

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3.7 Inspection TubeThe inspection section allows the user to view the product conveyed. This can inform the user of quantity and quality of product conveyed.

3.8 Buffer SiloThe buffer silos are filled as required. The feed is released from the outlet valve to the buffer silo, either to the right or left. The inlet valve can fill two buffer silos, and the pellets are further transported to the pens.

3.9 Brush BoxThe brush box is installed after the last outlet valve and in front of the drive unit in the conveyor system. Brushes reduce build-up of feed residues and dust on wire and discs. When wire and discs are moving through the brush box, dust and feed residue are brushed away. The material

is removed through an opening at the bottom of the brush box to the return to inlet funnel (figure 3.7) or returned to buffer silo. It is important to have easy access to brush box, to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. The brush box can also function as an overflow exit.

3.10 Drive UnitDrive unit consist of an engine that pulls the wire through the tubular system. The motor is electrical geared and drives the sprocket.

Figure 3.6: - Inspection section for visual control.

Figure 3.7: - Brush box can have return to inlet valve (red arrow) .

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4 The Control System of FeedingAKVAconnect is a process control platform that can be used to connect and control everything, from small locally controlled sites to several large interconnected locations. AKVAconnect is an advanced software for daily control of all parts of the feeding process. AKVAconnect permits feed planning, and provides control of silos, feeding of fish-groups, camera surveillance, and-, includes barge control among others. The start up and functions of flexible feeding are available in user manual for AKVAconnect. Further information about AKVAconnect is found in AKVA group user manuals from www.akvagroup.com/usermanuals

5 Flexible Feeding System It is possible to customize flexible feeding at existing barges, or built into new barges. The following additional and project specific information will be given for every individual project:• Design of control cabinets included drawing• Design of modular cabinets• User manual from the supplier of Cablevey• Tubes, clamps and bends customized to system• Support for tubes

5.1 Checklist at Start up of Feeding 1. Put the system in feeding mode. Adjust speed and rate of feed based on the product and

product specifications (based on the size and weight of pellets, biomass and expected appetite).

2. Apply the product slowly at first and increase the amount towards capacity. Control steady flow as the pellet moves through the system. If there is a build-up of pellet somewhere in the system, it can result in stop of pellet transport. Check for build-up of pellets:

-in tension unit/sprocket and toothpicker -around wire and discs -in drive unit -in brush box -in tubes, especially in bend3. Monitor by camera (optional) or by checking visually that the pellets are leaving the outlet

valve through the inspection glass and/or through the inspection tube.4. Monitor the buffer silo to avoid it becoming overfilled, and that the overflow exit is opened.

NoteThe filling rate of the discs should not exceed 80 % of the capacity. This can lead to a breakage of pellets in the system, or that the drive unit is overloaded and stops.

WarningBe aware to listen for irregular sounds when system is operated, it can indicate error in the system.

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6 Maintenance of the SystemThe frequency of maintenance of the system is greatly dependent of the quality of the pellet transported in the system, the speed of the wire and the configuration of the system layout. Keep areas of control clean and accessible for maintenance personnel.

6.1 Maintenance of Brush Box and Outlet Valve1. Remove cover and have regular inspections inside brush box. Vacuum clean/wash if needed.2. Check that rotation is smooth and not jerky. 3. Check that the outlet valve can be operated from completely open to closed.4. Remove any dust that hashas collected around gear and sensors.

6.2 Maintenance of Tension Unit 1. Vacuum tension unit with industrial cleaner, keep it clean.2. Make sure that both springs in tension unit havehave the same tension according to Cablevey

instructions manual. 3. 3. Check inlet and outlet ports at entrance and exit for wear and tear.Check inlet and outlet ports at entrance and exit for wear and tear.4. Check the red mark on the lowest sprocket, it should not be visible from the side. 5. Check that Idler Idler frame is free to move.

6.3 Maintenance of Wire, Discs and Wire Connection

Warning Before maintenance make sure the service switch is OFF and locked with a personal padlock. Every safety switch is marked with belonging equipment and name in local language.

Warning Do not perform work or changes to equipment without contacting AKVA group service. Referred to Cablevey user manual for troubleshooting and repair of Cablevey equipment.

Illustration 6.1: - Tension unit with sensors, toothpick and red mark.

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1. Visually inspect that discs do not show sign of wear. 2. 2. Be aware of split wire, and if split wireBe aware of split wire, and if split wire3. Check distance between cable connection and connector spacing is correct, use gauge/

template as described in Cabelvey user manual.4. Check torque of wire connection, it should be tightened to 15 Nm.

6.4 Clean Tubes with Cleaning SpongeComponents of cleaning kit:1. Cleaning sponge2. Trail disc3. Retain discWe recommend running the sponge through the system when required, and at least once a week. The sponge shall be rinsed in hot water with a mild detergent after use. Dispose the

Figure 6.3: - Attachment of trail disc to wire connection.

Figure 6.2: - Parts in cleaning kit.

sponge if it is not clean after one cleaning or have been damaged after use.

Procedure:1. Stop the feeding system, and lock service switch in OFF position. Home position. 2. Open the tension unit.3. Install trail disc (2) at the female wire connector, so that the flat side face the male wire

connector.4. Moisten sponge with clean water before installation.5. Attach the sponge to the pins in the retain disc (3) so that the sponge and the slot in the

retainer are aligned.

Female connector

Male connector

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6. Install sponge with the retainer on the wire in front of the connector, so that the slot points in opposite direction in the trail disc (2).

7. Align all items together as figure 6.4 illustrates.8. Squeeze all parts together until the spring snap in place 9. Replace lid, unlock service switch to ON. 10. Run the sponge through the system at low speed, in manual mode described in the software.

Recommended speed of cleaning sponge is 30 %.11. Turn off system through software and lock service switch OFF, before opening the tension

unit to retrive the sponge.12. Open the retain disc by pressing the release mechanism and pulling it out of the sponge and

trail disc. 13. After cleaning replace the cover and turn on the system through service switch ON, and

resume feeding.

Figure 6.4: - Installed cleaning sponge at wire.

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7 StorageBefore periods of inactivity and storage, all components of flexible feeding should receive necessary maintenance. Technical personnel from AKVA group shall be involved and go through the equipment to avoid damage. Flexible feeding installed on a barge has instructions on how the equipment shall be stored while in site is fallow. All equipment shall be stored indoors, cleaned and under dry conditions.

DOCUMENT NO: DC10001223

Revision Date Published Written by Approved by

0 18.08.2020 Godkjent (ECO-0001659) LEK JRE

F 29.11.18 Re-Approved (ECO-0001556) Camera XXX W

F 29.11.18 Re-Approved (ECO-0001556) Camera XXX BP/IL

About AKVA groupAKVA group is present in all markets with offices in Norway, Chile, Denmark, Scotland, Spain, Greece, Iceland, Canada and Turkey. We work hard to be the preferred business partner for our customers and offers complete technical solutions and service within pen-based and land-based aquaculture. By developing technology aimed to solve the biological challenges, we contribute to the further development of a sustainable industry. Good operational performance and fish welfare is decisive to achieve good results, and investment in our technology will contribute to deliver both.

AKVA group ASA | www.akvagroup.com

Plogfabrikkveien 11, 4353 Klepp Stasjon

Teknologi for bærekraftig biologiTechnology for Sustainable Biology