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Hydroponic Sensing Solution

Jejomar Ildefonso
Genius 9490 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TUSS4440, LMP91000

Hi Team,

Our customer's brief application details are as follows:

1. I want to know if there are any hydroponic sensors to test the nutrients, like an IoT sensors to test all the minerals that are in the nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, copper etc. present in water

2. I am also looking for sensors used in aquaponic systems to test ammoina (NH3) and nitrate

If possible, can you help us recommend a solution that can be considered for these requirements?


Kind Regards,

Jejomar




  • +1
    TI__Mastermind 20980 points

    Jejomar,

    This is a really interesting application.  I've dabbled with running a hydroponic system myself and getting the nutrient mix correct can be a challenge.  

    TI doesn't necessarily have any sensor for directly evaluating pH or dissolved minerals in water.  

    It might be possible to do some system level monitoring for liquid level using an ultrasonic sensor like TUSS4440.  If the level of the water is constant for the sensor, then it may be possible to detect changes in the speed of sound of the nutrient bath.  If the nutrient solution provides a significant enough change, then this might be able to provide some kind of benchmark on the level of dissolved solids.  I'm hesitant here that there would be enough change to the bath to provide any measurable change though.  It's at least an idea they may be able to investigate.  If nothing else, an ultrasonic sensor might be able to detect low water levels and shut off the pump and/or alert the operator if there's a problem with the nutrient supply.

    In order to detect concentration levels of dissolved solids in water, it is possible to infer this by testing the conductivity of the solution.  This is done by forcing a small current through the water and calculating the resistance of the solution.  

    Monitoring NH3 I believe is done using a pH measurement that involves a membrane which is permeable to the dissolved gas.

    I hope this can be of some help.

    Thanks for reaching out,

    Scott Bryson

  • +1 in reply to Scott Bryson
    TI__Guru* 91206 points

    Dear Jejomar -

    To add to Scott's advice, for ammonia detection, the LMP91000 AFE can be used with the NH3 sensors (like from CityTech and others)

    please see:  https://www.ti.com/product/LMP91000