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Article by Themba Mongwa
4
May 2014
GEO TRENDS MONITOR
MONITOR
Issue [9]: Wednesday 30 April 2014
With over 25 years experience Vista Engineering the developer of Vista
Data Vision is based in the city of Reykjavik in Iceland. It is the choice
for environmental practitioners from different backgrounds across the
world. This year Aridus Hydro Geotechnik went into partnership with
Vista Data Vision, this partnership includes Aridus reselling the VDV
software and associated products, offering support, and hosting some
data on behave of the valued client.
Continued on pg 4
Many organizations including consultants, academia and research
institutions are continuing to battle with the handling of logged field
data. Most of the current data handling software are not robust enough
to offer functionalities to satisfy the user. Through varies research and
testing Aridus Hydro Geotechnik identified Vista Data Vision as a
complete solution covering fundamental needs as well as advanced
features needed in professional Data Management System.
Aridus partners with Vista
Engineering
Aridus offer tailor made solution
to clients on available
dataloggers & communication
protocols options.
Remote monitoring and data collection .02
In this issue we feature The
Tensiometer from Eijkelkamp
Agrisearch Equipment By
Bonti Mukhange
Feature Product .05
Pg 1
2
The use of dataloggers which have the capacity to transfer data
remotely from the site to the office has revolutionized field monitoring.
This is a favored solution where access to site might be limited or
restricted for whatever reasons or the monitoring has to be done real
time or even where there is shortage of human personnel to do the
manual downloads. Aridus offer tailor made solution to clients on the
available dataloggers and communication protocols options. Besides
tailor made configurations, there are also turnkey packages to choose
from depending on the complexity, from the most basic installations to
the most sophisticated.
These dataloggers have a wide range of applications in geotechnical
engineering, meteorology, water sectors and any other usage where
there is need for measurement precision, flexibility and long term
reliability of the monitoring and data collection system. The type and
number of sensors that can be measured by a single datalogger can
be substantially increased by the use of channel expansion peripherals
like multiplexers.
The use of these types of dataloggers support several communications
protocol. Among the supported protocols include, TCP/IP, PakBus,
Modbus, DNP3,FTP, and SMTP. To determine the best option for an
application, it is important to ensure the availability of services (e.g.
cellular phone or Satellite coverage).
The robustness of these dataloggers allow for use in the most harsh
weather conditions. The dataloggers are housed in a weather resistant
enclosure. They are powered by a rechargeable battery which can be
connected to a power source such as a solar panel.
Schlumberger Water Services
held its Distributor Seminar on the
11th of April 2014 at Delft, The
Netherlands.
Events
In brief
Article by Oreeditse Mhutsiwa
Remote Monitoring and Data Collection
EAE annual Distributor
seminar in Giesbeek, The Netherlands
On the 8-10 April 2014, Aridus
Technical manager, Mr
Benjamin Mafa attended
Eijkelkamp global distributor
seminar. The seminar was held in
Giesbeek, The Netherlands and
was attended by distributors
from 34 countries worldwide.
3
DHI South Africa will be offering Introduction and
Advanced courses for FEFLOW this May in South
Africa. The course, FEFLOW introduction to
groundwater modelling will be offered on 12-14th
May, while FEFLOW advanced groundwater
modelling will be on the 15-16th May 2014. The
venue for both courses is Wits Professional
Development Hub, Wits University, Johannesburg,
South Africa. FEFLOW is widely recognized as a
most comprehensive software package for
subsurface flow and transport simulation. The
software is used by leading research institutes,
universities, consulting firms and government
organizations all over the world. FEFLOW’s scope
of application ranges from simple local scale to
complex large scale modelling. Application areas
include water management, mine water,
saltwater intrusion, geothermal energy, and
variably saturated media. FEFLOW introduction to
groundwater modelling is a hands on course
DHI South Africa to Offer FEFLOW
Courses that shall provide one with an introduction to
groundwater modelling using FEFLOW. One will
also learn the basic concepts of the software
through building two and three-dimensional flow
and solute-transport models applying the most
important programme functions, including pre-
processing, simulation and result evaluation. The
other course aims at providing one with the skills
for advanced modelling topics. Depending on
the needs of the group of participants, a selection
of the below topics is offered. Density-dependent flow modelling, Heat-transport
modelling (geothermal energy systems), Fracture
modelling, Multi-component transport and
chemical reactions, Introduction to IFM
programming, Parameter estimation & sensitivity
analysis with FePEST, Hands-on exercises and
Unsaturated-flow modelling.
Course description item: by
DHI South Africa
4
(Continued from pg 1)
There is an upcoming release
of Hydro GeoAnalyst 2014.1.
This release shall include various
enhancements to the
Template Manager which will
make database design and
management much easier and
more flexible. Pictured above is
a quick preview of what is to
come.
New Template Manager
Preview, HGA 2014.1
We continue to grow and
expand further into the vast
African market as we seek to
build a brand recognizable
through the continent.
Did you know?
Vista Data Vision is a comprehensive, easy to use, data handling,
storage, visualization, alarming, reporting, web access to data and
application specific data handling toolkits for various disciplines. VDV is
applicable to users’ in fields of environmental monitoring,
Meteorological systems and water management.
Vista’s core functionality is being able to import data from different
sources, that is data being collected from a datalogger can be
imported into the VDV database. VDV supports Campbell Scientific and
wide variety of dataloggers. Using the intuitive interface, it only takes a
few mouse clicks to configure data storage, data visualization, alarm
setting and web service.
With regards to visualizations the VDV graphical interface maybe used
for all functions like trend lines, alarm notification, real-time display and
Google maps. VDV offers quick reports to help users to gain more
information from time series. Quick reports include XY graphs, intensity
graphs, sort by size, histogram, wind rose and download of data. VDV
also offers vital visualization of environmental data, like the filter wind
rose, overlay graphs, XY- Graphs and intensity plots all which are most
useful for quick correlation of data and to help drawing conclusions
about complex data sets.
VDV has a built in comprehensive web service serving any number of
web - based users. It supports all major web browsers such as Internet
Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera. VDV offers manuel input of
data via web interface and via data files. For manuel input of sensor
readings, records may be added and edited online. VDV includes a
keep alive monitor to let network monitoring programs know if it is up
and running; this is a priority at all times.
Vista Data Vision comes in 3 versions each version with respect to
project size and data service as compared to most software packages
with Vista all 3 versions run the same proven and speedy software
engine. The Base version is the entry level version suitable for small
datalogging systems and basic service. The Standard version is for users
utilizing small to average size data logging systems and do not need
access control to the VDV web service, it includes features such as
virtual variables & intensity plot. The final version the Professional version
is for professional users who need all the tools to run Professional Data System for measurements, including web access control. VDV is the
perfect choice for running a web based data hosting service for a
variety of industries.
5
Feature Product: Tensiometer
The tensiometer can be used by agricultural organizations,
academic institutions and crop farmers who are seeking to
conserve water and better manage their soil moisture levels.
The Tensiometer will provide critical information that will assist in
maintaining healthy crops in their fields.
Local Applications
The ability of plants to absorb water from soil is a very important factor in their early development. This
ability to extract water by plant roots depends on the amount of the force that the soil retains the water at
the plant root zone.
The measurement of this force allows us to
determine the availability of moisture in the soil that
is available for use by plants.
An instrument called a tensiometer supplied by
Aridus in conjunction with Eijkelkamp Agrisearch
Equipment has been developed for this purpose.
Tensiometers are available in a variety of types
which includes jet fill tensiometer, quick draw
tensiometers, and the standard tensiometer. The
standard tensiometer consists of a porous cup,
connected through a rigid transparent body tube to
a vacuum gauge, with all components filled with
water. The cup is made up of ceramic material due
to its permeability to water. The body is made up of
a clear transparent plastic tube to allow the water
inside to be easily seen and monitored.
The tensiometer is an easy and quick instrument to
use and install. A hole is simply dug by means of an
auger, usually gouge auger and the tensiometer is
placed in the ground with the ceramic cup firmly in
close contact with the soil. Since the tensiometer reacts to changes in the small
volume of soil that directly surrounds the ceramic
cup, it is important that it is placed in the active plant root zone.
Since the soil is normally not saturated, the water
inside the tensiometer will slowly move out through
the ceramic cup to equilibrate with the soil water.
As the water moves out, the water level inside the
tube will drop creating a vacuum which is
measured by the vacuum gauge. If the soil is near
saturation the water will move from tensiometer to
the soil with little force and if the soil is dry the water
will move with a greater force creating a larger
vacuum. The level of pressure in the vacuum is a
direct indication of the energy that will be required
by plants to counter the strength with which the soil
holds the water.
Tensiometers are very useful in providing information
for irrigation planning. Their major advantage is that
they can be also be modified and be used as
automated irrigation controllers in various irrigation
systems.
News from Our Partners
Schlumberger Water Services and the University at Buffalo are pleased to
announce a one-day workshop on pumping test design and analysis. The
workshop will take place on June 3 and is designed to give students and
groundwater professionals hands-on experience designing and implementing a
field scale pumping test using Diver Groundwater Dataloggers. Participants will
also have to opportunity to review the pumping test data and make
interpretations using Aquifer Test Pro Pumping and Slug Test Analysis Software.
GEO5 software will be presented in the “6th national slope engineering technology
conference organized by Engineering Investigation Branch of Architectural
Society of China (ASC). This shall happen on April 19-21, 2014 at China (Beijing).
Ganzhou Pangolin Technology Co., Ltd is the exclusive distributor of GEO5 at China
.
SWS Announces Pumping Test Design & analysis
workshop with Universty of Buffalo
Solinst Releases New Mini Interface Meter
EAE to exhibit at IFAT 2014 in Munich
GEO5 software will be presented at the 6th national slope engineering technology conference.
Solinst is pleased to announce the release of a new version of the Model
122M Mini Interface Meter, which features a narrow PVDF cable. The PVDF
cable is very durable and easy to decontaminate. It is available in 80 ft. or
25 m lengths, precisely laser marked every 1/100 ft. or mm, certified
traceable to national standards. The cable comes on a portable reel,
compact so it fits in a backpack. Like the recently released Model 122
Standard Interface Meter, the new 122M Mini also features redesigned
electronics and a 5/8" (16 mm) dia. probe that is pressure-proof up to 500
psi. Meters are certified intrinsically safe for use in explosive environments,
and are ATEX certified.
3rd DHI Middle East conference conducted
successfully in Dubai
ibutor for China
We successfully conducted the 3rd DHI Middle East conference on 11 March
2014 in Dubai. Decision-makers as well as industry and water modelling
experts attended the conference. They shared their knowledge on various
water modelling-related challenges and technologies for sustainable water
resource management. The conference covered solutions as well as MIKE by
DHI software topics, including new software features of Release 2014. It
included practical case studies presented by our Middle East clients and
software users as well as by our own experts.
On 5-8 May 2014 at Munich, booth 104, hall A5 Eijkelkamp shall be exhibiting at the IFAT
2014. IFAT 2014 is the world s most important trade fair for the environment and waste
disposal. At this trade fair more than 2900 exhibitors from 54 countries will present their
products, innovations and services on 215 000 square meters of exhibition space. EAE
shall be presenting solutions and equipment such as carefree solutions, diver water
level loggers, plant care, augering and soil sampling equipment and water sampling
equipment.
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