CA2801812A1

CA2801812A1 - Mobile wind and solar powered water mixing and measuring raft

Info

Publication number: CA2801812A1
Application number: CA 2801812
Authority: CA
Inventors: Unknown
Original assignee: QUARNAIN, UMRAAN; EL BILALI, JASON
Current assignee: QUARNAIN UMRAAN; EL BILALI JASON
Priority date: 2013-01-14
Filing date: 2013-01-14
Publication date: 2014-07-14

Abstract

A mobile sensor aquatic raft capable of increasing the concentration of oxygen in a body of water using electrical energy generated on the raft from a wind turbine and/or solar panels there on.
The present invention uses light absorption spectra characteristics of algae to change water mixing speed and migrational direction of the raft. With the present invention, it is possible to minimize energy expenditure whilst optimizing water aeration and dispersion of surface layers of organic matter by controlling the geomatic positioning of the raft.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of mobile sensor aquatic rafts, specifically relating to energy-efficient, wind and solar powered mobile sensor aquatic rafts. Among its functions are aeration, biomass disruption and geomatic positioning based on spectral properties of the given body of water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Algal blooms are characterized by rapid growth of phytoplankton species in lakes, rivers, canals, coastal waters, oceans, seas and even swimming pools. Blooms occur in the presence of appropriate growth conditions including water temperature, salinity and the availability of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous. Blooms are highly visible, capable of altering the colour of clear water to green, blue-green and even red. If optimal growth conditions remain stable, blooms may become long term events that have detrimental effects on the ecosystem and through their aerosols even ecosystems far removed. Algal blooms can reduce or block out sunlight from reaching flora and fauna at different depths in a body of water. Moreover, the algal blooms can reduce ambient dissolved oxygen levels in the water causing hypoxic and even anoxic conditions which directly lead to death of marine life. Some species of phytoplankton also secrete toxins harmful to both plants and animals. Even after the end of an algal bloom, dead phytoplankton can accumulate into biomasses that further rob the aquatic environment of dissolved oxygen via decomposition and continue to block sunlight from reaching the lower zones of water down to the bottom (e.g.
seafloor).
An effective way of preventing algal blooms and the formation of biomasses is through aeration which introduces more air into the water and also mechanically disrupts biomass formations. Aeration can be accomplished through perturbing the surface of water. Agitating the surface layer will increase the concentration of dissolved oxygen and will also prevent biomass accumulation, both of which are beneficial for the aquatic ecosystem.
Prior art describes the use of an energy efficient means for providing turbulence and circulation to liquids, specifically pertaining to algal farming. U.S. Patent Number 4,292,540, which was issued to Worthington and Freeman on Sep 29, 1981, for example, discloses a wind-powered impeller system that causes turbulence and aerates water. The impeller blade is driven either by wind power or through a motor-generator-hook-up, the latter being necessary when the windmill-impeller system lacks sufficient wind to operate. The impeller blade may be positioned in a vertical or horizontal position for optimal circulation of liquid.

Similarly, U.S. Patent Application 20100320626, which was filed by Chen H. on April 14, 2010, describes a wind powered turbine whose function is to increase the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water and to facilitate the decomposition of organic compounds in the water to improve water quality. The invention describes a process that does not require electrical energy to aerate the body of water.
Another European Patent Application numbered 0870733 and filed by Edwards N.
on April 9th 1998, describes an aerator for liquids where liquid is pumped into a venturi chamber via an inlet hose and is then aerated by air coming in from an air inlet and then released through an outlet. The aerator and the liquid medium are supported by a float chamber.
Although the previously mentioned inventions may purport to prevent biomass formation, both lack the ability to disrupt existing biomasses. Moreover, Chen and Edward lack the ability to specifically target areas that require greater aeration than other eco-niches.
All photosynthetic organisms, including algae, contain chlorophyll-a that allows them to absorb electromagnetic light energy ranging in wavelength from 375nm to 700nm.
Other accessory pigments such as phycocyanin and phycoerythrin extend the absorbance ability into the UV range of 225nm. These absorbances can be detected with a spectrophotometer. Relevant to the coupling of spectrophotometry to a wind-powered algae impeller, U.S. Patent Number 8,244,477 issued on August 14, 2012 to Tseregereda et al. describes estimation of algal growth through ambient fluid using characteristic absorption spectra. Furthermore, Tseregereda et al describe the use of multiple wavelength ranges to estimate maximal lipid content to optimize algal lipid harvest.
The most common types of aerators are the water impeller type, which are often powered by an external nonrenewal power source. Chen's invention utilizes wind energy and although it is much more cost effective than an external power source, a lack of wind would completely immobilize the invention.
The feasibility of a robotic flotation device, albeit for unrelated purposes, has already been proven possible. For example, Ratti and Biderman's aqua-robotic pollutant collecting device (patent application number 20120055856, published March 8, 2012) is capable of both floating on the surface of the water and diving below the surface to reach submerged pollutant zones. Ratti and Biderman's invention is both self-powered and capable of targeting specific areas that are pollutant rich. Similarly, Tokekar et al.'s invention is a robotic raft that is capable of monitoring tagged carp fish (see J. Field Robotics 27: 779-789). Although their invention is used for simple reconnaissance purposes, they have also proven the possibility of creating robotic rafts that can detect radio signals and be pre-programmed to follow a planned route.

In relation to the impeller controlled by the processor, two prior patents describe the function and implementation of the device. A U.S. patent, number 5,505,538 and issued to Earle on April 9, 1996, describes a motorized mixer specialized for bone and cement, used for the attachment of prosthetics. The invention is comprised of a mixing chamber with a liner, in which an impeller is embedded in it, a motor to rotate the impeller and a device necessary to program the impeller.
According to this patent, the motorized mixer is controlled by a current sensing mechanism capable of indirectly sensing cement viscosity in order to ensure the cement is expelled before it becomes too viscous for the mixer. The patent also explains that the programmable unit can be altered to accommodate different cement viscosities.
A related US patent, numbered 6,958,479 and issued to Burling-Claridge et al.
on October 25, 2005, describes a method of processing data from at least one spectrophotometer consisting of the transfer of data from the spectrophotometer to a central control system, which then processes the data and transfers the processed data to the output device.
Remote sensing technology is described by Cheng in US patent publication number US20120320203 Al, published December 20, 2012, where an unmanned aerial vehicle image processing system with a digital camera, an autopilot controller, and a computer device records GPS/1NS data and takes photographs during flight to form a map from multiple photos pieced together in a photo-stitching process.
Similarly, Canadian patent CA 2012702 (filed by Breitkopf and Walker on March 21, 1990) describes a method of remotely sensing minerals using neural networks to process data recorded from an overflying aircraft as well as map the clustering of spectral data from remotely captured images. In addition, Haack's invention (publication number EP0967854 Bl, published July 30, 2003) describes a device used to sample the characteristics of a field (such as grain moisture content, soil compaction, altitude and grain harvest yield) at different locations, allowing scaling of the whole area though a small portion of the sampled field. Finally, Laake's patent application CA2739731 (published April 15, 2010) discusses a method of determining at least one geomorphological feature of the region of interest based on data from two remote sensing sources.
It is apparent that the prior art fails to suggest the coupling of a spectrophotometer to a wind-and solar-powered buoyant algae impeller mixer with the purpose of changing the rotation speed of the water-stirrer and concomitantly influence the migratory direction of surface vehicular transport based on input from a remote command stations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns an aerating system for mixing the surrounding water-algae mixture in a body of water comprising at least one spectrophotometer for measuring light absorption in the surrounding body of water, a multifunction central control system to analyze the output of the spectrophotometer(s) and for communication with a physically remote central processing unit, and at least one solar panel as a back-up renewable energy source.
The most common types of aerators are the water impeller type, which are often powered by an external non-renewal power source. With the arrangement of the present invention, both wind and solar energy are used as a failsafe to insure proper functioning even on still windless days. The present invention is a standalone device that needs no external output and is therefore very portable and has a wide range of applications from aquariums to lakes, lagoons and beyond. Further benefits of the present invention include the ability to specifically target areas that require greater aeration than other eco-niches.
The present invention encompasses continuous flow-through sampling in real time to measure absorbances through a spectrophotometer and uses this information to selectively aerate in a geospecific manner. These functions allow the present invention to optimize intake of atmospheric oxygen into large expanses of water, to disperse of algal slurry layers and to minimize energy expenditure.
Moreover, using similar technology but for uses toward different targets as compared to prior art, the algae-aerating system described in this patent application embodies a remote sensing system coupled with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver to determine its geomatic positioning on a body of water to ensure full coverage, and also functions by collecting the information detected by the system to be stored in a database for future analysis as required.
The application here embodies a programmable impeller, one which is electrically driven (wind- or solar-powered) and which senses the viscosity/density of the algae-water mixture using a detector in the form of a spectrophotometer in order to ensure that the algae mixture is mixed and thus aerated effectively in water surface areas of highest algal concentrations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a flow chart depicting the functional components of the aerating system. Main components are represented by rectangular boxes, and sources of energy are shown with ovals. Solid lines indicate the flow of commands, dashed lines the flow of information, and dotted lines the flow of energy;
FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an overhead, cross-sectional view of the buoy portion of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention stirring water using solar or wind derived electrical energy.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description and technical contents of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings.
However, it should be understood that the drawings are illustrative only, but not used to limit the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 2: A perspective view is provided showing a wind turbine water mixer implementing the present improvements. The wind turbine 1 is connected to the carrier platform 2 through an upright post 3 which can rotate in relation to wind direction. The carrier platform 2 is kept afloat by cylindrical buoys 4 which are attached to it through connecting rods 5. The motorized water-stirrer 9 is connected to the submerged end of the upright post 3.
The upright post 3 may include one or more rudders 17 that are constructed and arranged to orient the movement of the present invention on a body of water 18.
Rotation of the wind turbine 1 provides electrical charging of the electric generator- battery 7. Preferably, the solar panels 6 extending across the non-submerged faces of the buoys 4 provide an alternative source of electrical energy to power electric generator- battery 7.The wind turbine 1 and solar panel 6 electric generator- battery 7 are mounted upon one side of the upright post 3 that is not submerged in the water 18.
The central control system 8 transfers power from the wind turbine 1 or solar panels 6 to drive the generator to generate electricity and store the energy in a battery.
The central control system 8 comprises circuitry, microprocessors, memory storage units, sensors, a GPS and any other electronic parts known in the art and required to direct electrical energy from the electric generator-battery 7 to the energy dependent processes of the raft.
Preferably, the migrational transport direction of the present invention in a body of water 18 is monitored and controlled using user-controlled software (viz. GPS-like geomatics) coupled to the transport control system.
In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the energy dependent processes include the water stirrer 9 (viz, outboard motor propeller), the motorized anchor winch 12 the rudder 17 and the spectrophotometer.
FIG. 3: An overhead cross-sectional view of the channel 10 embedded in the buoy. In the embodiments shown, the channel passing through the buoy 4 allows a continuous inflow and outflow of water 16. The channel 10 is located on the submerged portion of the buoy 4, fixed onto or embedded in the buoy 4 during manufacture. In the embodiments, the channel 10 intake and output openings are situated on the same face of the buoy 4.
On either side of the channel 10 is a spectrophotometer setup that uses a light source 14 filtered at wavelengths characteristic of algae. As such, the optical density of algal floccules can be determined. Specifically, the spectrophotometer detector 15 and light source 14 are mounted on opposite sides of the channel, directly across from one another. The spectrophotometer and its components are mounted within or onto the buoy 4. For example, the spectrophotometer readings through the central control system 8 determine rotation speed of the motorized water stirrer 9.
Rotational speed of the motorized water-stirrer 9 is programmed to maximize algal dispersion and this capacity is determined through readings by the spectrophotometer.
Preferably, the motorized water-stirrer 9 serves an additional function of aerating the body of water 18 and as a raft motor, allowing for movement of the raft in the body of water 18 when the drag anchors 13 are not lowered. Specifically, the rudder 17 is used to orient the present invention into zones of high algal density. The rudder 17 is programmed to lower itself into the water 18 when algal concentration is low or rise from the water when algal concentration is high.
Each end of the buoy 4 contains an anchor compartment 11 containing a motorized winch 12 and a drag anchor 13 to keep the raft stationary in zones of high algal density. The motorized winch 12 permits winding out and winding in of the drag anchor 13 based on input from the central control system 8. More specifically, winding in and winding out of the drag anchor 8 is dependent on microprocessors, memory storage units and sensors. For example, in zones of low algal density following effective algae dispersion by the present invention, the motorized winch 12 receives input from sensors in the central control system 8 to wind in drag anchors 13. In zones of high algal density, the motorized winch 12 receives input from sensors in the central control system 8 to wind out drag anchors 13. Winding out of the drag anchors 13 keeps the present invention relatively stationary whereas winding in of the drag anchors 13 allows for the present invention to be more mobile in the body of water 18.
Sensors include any hardware that carries out the function of detecting algae such as, but not limited to, the spectrophotometer (e.g. near-infra red reflectance spectrometer, NIR). Using sensors, the present invention receives continuous input to reorient itself and direct itself towards zones of higher algal density.
The present invention may include an embedded collection cavity for sampling purposes.
Preferably, the collection cavity is situated on the buoy.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various equivalent variations and modifications can still occur to those skilled in this art in view of the teachings of the present invention. Thus, all such variations and equivalent modifications are also embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A aerating system for mixing the surrounding water-algae mixture in a body of water comprising:
a. At least one spectrophotometer for detecting the density and/or wavelength properties of the surrounding body of water.
b. A multifunction central control system to analyze the output of the spectrophotometer(s) and for communication with a remotely located processing unit.
c. At least one solar panel as a back-up renewable energy source.
d. At least one sampling compartment located on the submerged portion of the flotation device(s) for sampling purposes.

2. An aerating system as defined in claim 1 wherein said multifunction central control system is located in a region of said aerating system not physically exposed to water when placed on a body of water.

3. An aerating system as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said multifunction central control system comprises the means for processing the quantitative optical properties determined by said spectrophotometer(s) according to a predetermined algorithm.

4. An aerating system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said multifunction central control system is physically and electrically connected to a motorized water-stirrer.

5. An aerating system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said multifunction central control system uses said quantitative optical properties to output commands.

6. An aerating system as defined in claim 4 wherein said motorized water-stirrer receives commands from said multifunction central control system to rotate at a certain speed to maximize algal aeration while minimizing energy expenditure.

7. An aerating system as defined in claim 1 wherein said aerating system comprises of at least one flotation device that allows said aerating system to stop and move on water.

8 8. An aerating system as defined in claim 7 wherein said flotation device consists of, but is not limited to, at least one cylindrical buoy.

9. An aerating system as defined in claim 8 wherein said flotation device(s) include(s) at least one motorized rudder located between the wind turbine and the carrier platform to allow said aerating system to move directionally across the surface of the water.

10. An aerating system as defined in claim 9 wherein said motorized rudder(s) is (are) physically and electrically connected to the multifunction central control system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5.

11. An aerating system as defined in claim 10 wherein said motorized rudder(s) receive(s) commands from said multifunction central control system to raise and lower itself out of and into the water respectively, according to the levels of algal density in the surrounding water.

12. An aerating system as defined in any one of claims 1, 8, and 9 wherein said flotation device(s) contain(s) at least one spectrophotometer, at least one anchor compartment, and at least one solar panel.

13. An aerating system as defined in claim 12 wherein said solar panel(s) is (are) connected physically and electrically to the multifunction central control system to serve as a back-up source of renewable power when wind is lacking.

14. An aerating system as defined in any one of claims 8 to 13 wherein said solar panel(s) is (are) located at the non-submerged upper surface of the flotation device(s).

15. An aerating system as defined in claim 12 wherein said anchor compartment(s) is (are) located at the end(s) of the cylindrical buoy(s) as defined in claim 8, and comprise(s) of at least one motorized anchor winch and at least one drag anchor to stabilize said aerating system.

16. An aerating system as defined in any one of claims 2 to 5, and 15 wherein said flotation device(s) is (are) physically and electrically connected to said motorized winch(es) and to the multifunction central control system.

17. An aerating system as defined in claim 16 wherein said motorized winch (es) receive(s) commands from said multifunction central control system to wind in or wind out said drag anchor(s) according to levels of algal density in bodies of water.

18. An aerating system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, 12 and 14 wherein the sample compartment(s) of said spectrophotometer(s) is (are) submerged underneath the surface of the surrounding water when said aerating system is placed on a body of water.

19. An aerating system as defined in claim 18 wherein the sample compartment(s) of the said spectrophotometer(s) is (are) directly exposed to the surrounding water for the entrapment and the subsequent assessment of its biological and physical properties when said wind turbine water mixer is placed on a body of water.

20. An aerating system as defined in claim 12 wherein said spectrophotometer(s) is (are) associated with a flow through channel embedded within or on the flotation device(s). Said spectrophotometer(s) is (are) also physically and electrically connected to said multifunction central control system.

21. An aerating system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said multifunction central control system includes a remote sensing device coupled with a GPS receiver for the determination of geomatic positioning and for the collection of data measured by the spectrophotometer.

22. An aerating system as defined in claim 21 wherein said multifunction central control system is connected wirelessly to at least one remotely located processing unit.

23. An aerating system as defined in any one of claims 21 or 22 where said multifunction central control system is electrically and physically connected to said GPS receiver.

24. An aerating system as defined in claim 21 wherein said multifunction central control system is wirelessly connected to the remotely located processing unit(s) as defined in claim 22.

25. An aerating system as defined in claim 24 wherein said multifunction central control system obtains input from the spectrophotometer defined in claim 12 and sends the information to said remotely located processing unit(s) for further analysis or for archiving.

26. An aerating system as defined in any one of claims 21, and 23 to 25 wherein information of its geomatic positioning as determined by said GPS receiver can be extracted by said remotely located processing unit through wireless transmissions.

27. An aerating system as defined in any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein said multifunction central control system can receive commands from said remotely located processing unit regarding the winding in or winding out of the drag anchor(s) through the motorized winch (es) as defined in any one of claims 15 to 17 to either prohibit or promote movement across a body of water.

28. An aerating system as defined in any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein said multifunction central control system can receive appropriate commands from said remotely located processing unit regarding the movement of the rudder as defined in claim 9 for the subsequent movement of said aerating system to ensure its maximum coverage of a body of water.

29. An aerating system as defined in claim 1 wherein said sampling compartment(s) receive(s) commands from said multifunction central control system to open or close for sample collection in accordance commands received from the remotely located processing unit as defined in any one of claims 23 to 26.