OOA Progress Report for the period 1/01/01 through 12/31/01

Principal Investigator(s): Clifford A. Goudey, Kenneth D. Ekstrom, Brandy M. Moran

Summary
Both phase one feeders have been built and installed at their open-ocean sites. The one at the UNH OOA site was tested for functionality on land and the pneumatic hoses were replaced. Due to concern over pellet clogging, a water flushing system was added. The UNH Robofeeder is ready for its role in feeding the haddock soon to be stocked in the cage. The unit installed at the GoM OAC site off Mississippi includes the galvanized steel silo, the P.E. hopper, and position telemetry. The electro-pneumatic feed dispensing components will be installed when the red drum are ready to be stocked.

Specific progress to date

Objective 1) Collaborations to identify system requirements
Completed and previously reported.

Objective 2) System design, construction, and assembly
The design of the Robofeeder system has not changed, as there has been little experience from the field to indicate a need. Two modifications were incorporated in the second unit based on feedback from UNH. Two of the mounting flange holes were enlarged to surround the cage/platform mounting bolts. This simplifies the installation of Robofeeder by allowing the platform to remain safely attached during the entire process. The second change was the elimination of tie-down links inside the base of the silo. They proved to be of no particular value and interfered with the mounting process. Their function was replaced with some holes suitable for bolting items or securing external scuba tanks.

The water flushing system included with the UNH unit included two nozzles entering the feed tubes at the bifurcation, a small submersible pump, and a check valve. The pump operates whenever the gate valve is actuated by the timer. The check valve prevents the drain down of water between dispensing.

Objective 3) System testing
Bench tests of the UNH dispensing system were completed at MIT. Air and power consumption was very low, indicating that six months of operation could be possible using the gel battery and the 30 cu. ft. scuba pony bottle. Results of follow-on tests done at UNH regarding feed rates are not available. Power consumption measurements with the pump included are not available. A solar panel was provided the UNH to compensate for the additional electrical requirements.

Objective 4) System installation and evaluation
The installation of Robofeeder at the GoM OAC site went smoothly in spite of challenging weather conditions. Figure 1 is a picture of the assembled unit on the deck of the support vessel prior to being lifted on to the floating spar. Figure 2 shows the installation process. The feeder is held to the spar using six or the eight bolts normally used to secure the spar platform. Figure 3 shows Robofeeder installed on the cage while the final hook-up of anchors continues. The Chevron production platform is 1,000 yards to the West.

The evaluation of Robofeeder operation awaits its use in at-sea feeding. The effect of Robofeeder on cage stability have not proven to be negligible.

Objective 5) Robofeeder upgrades for submerged feeding.
The design of these upgrades is complete. We await field results from surface operations before fabrication and installation.

Objective 6) Project dissemination
Outreach has begun with our interactions with the cage demonstration sites and with OST. A close collaborative process is in place between MIT and the OAC operation in Mississippi. Mechanisms for cooperation with industry in the commercialization of Robofeeder technology are already being explored.