Australian Institute of Marine Science – Tropical Oceans Simulator “SeaSim”
“On behalf of the Australian Institute of Marine Science we would like to thank you for your company’s excellent and professional contribution to the successful development of this complex project.” — Alastair Roberts, Managing Contractor: Baulderstone Queensland
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is a global leader in environmental research, particularly focused on reef ecosystems. Known for having one of the world’s most comprehensive coral identification libraries, AIMS plays a crucial role in marine conservation.
Oceanis International had the privilege of collaborating closely with AIMS, providing expertise in design and construction management for both the initial SeaSim project and its subsequent expansion. Our partnership with AIMS underscores our commitment to advancing marine science through innovative engineering solutions.
The SeaSim facility, a state-of-the-art marine science laboratory, serves as a tropical ocean simulator. This complex offers a variety of controlled environments and extensive indoor and outdoor aquaria, facilitating sophisticated marine science experiments. Our work with AIMS involved the comprehensive design of the seawater infrastructure, addressing all aspects from intake systems and membrane treatment to salinity correction and water storage.
Key components of our design included:
- Intake Systems: Efficiently drawing seawater to support large-scale experiments.
- Membrane Treatment Systems: Ensuring water purity and quality.
- Raw Water Systems and Salinity Correction: Maintaining optimal salinity levels for various marine species.
- Water Disinfection and Discharge: Guaranteeing safe and sustainable water management.
- Laboratory Gas Systems and Thermal Control: Providing precise control over environmental conditions to support sensitive marine life. And various high-accuracy thermal control systems and gas systems for water streams of varying quality and composition. At each laboratory, systems for localized treatment are provided for high accuracy control of parameters such as temperature, pH and water quality.
As the lead consultant for the Process Works, the work involved brief development, preliminary design and budgeting, detailed design, and overall project management of the laboratory and process systems, including:
- Coral Life Support Systems: Vital for maintaining healthy coral specimens.
- Heating and Cooling Supply: Ensuring stable temperatures across various experimental setups.
- Waste Disposal and Disinfection: Promoting sustainability and hygiene within the facility.
We used advanced 3D BIM technology to model the entire building and process systems. This not only improved design accuracy but also ensured that everything worked together smoothly.
Since it opened, the AIMS SeaSim project has received a lot of praise for its groundbreaking work in reef restoration and climate change research. We’re proud to have been a part of this innovative project, which aligns perfectly with our commitment to marine science and environmental care.
At Oceanis, we leverage our expertise in marine infrastructure design to support research institutions like AIMS, helping them carry out critical studies that enhance our understanding and preservation of the oceans.
