Quality products for a growth industry
Following hot on the heels of Chilean wines, Chilean salmon has now become a major export commodity. In 2007, Chile exported 655,000 tons of salmon – that’s almost 1,800 tons per day. It’s growing rapidly — with almost 40 percent of the world’s salmon market, it’s second only to Norway in terms of market share.
The highest quality Chilean salmon are produced in the relatively cold waters along the Chilean coast. Here the Humbolt Stream flows up from the Antarctic, bringing with it very cold and clean water that’s ideal for fish farming. The main salmon production regions are Puerto Montt, a fast growing city in the Los Lagos region of southern Chile, and the coastal areas further south.
So it was here that FilipeIbarra from Danfoss began investigating salmon production, which starts with the incubation of salmon in ponds. The processes are complex: oxygen levels have to be maintained, the temperature must remain stable and the water must be constantly renewed. All this requires high-performance solutions – and Filipe realised that Danfoss products and expertise would be a good fit.
Now, Danfoss equipment runs through the process – ensuring that everything remains within the tight limits needed for salmon production. Solenoid valves are part of the application that adds oxygen to the water recycled from the filter process. Boilers running with pressure switches keep the heat in the ponds stable. MBS pressure transmitters maintain constant pressure in the pumps that circulate the warm water. The pond and line temperature is controlled by the MBT 5252 temperature sensors. And to help prevent pollution and save energy throughout the entire process, the system has a number of filters and heat exchangers equipped with Danfoss transmitters and valves.
So Danfoss products not only help the salmon thrive – they’re also involved in other parts of the production set-up. Soft starters and other products are also used to help save energy – and reduce pollution by re-circulating water and energy. And of course Danfoss contactors are used in the panels, and our products also keep the harvested salmon chilled in the cold stores. It’s another case of Danfoss taking part in the entire process, from start to finish.
By Jens Mikkelsen, sales manager, Latin America