Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
  • A01K61/60—Floating cultivation devices, e.g. rafts or floating fish-farms
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
  • Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
  • Y02A40/81—Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a deep-sea aquaculture installation called "offshore”.
• a submersible floating aquaculture facility can have much smaller dimensions while remaining fairly stable under adverse weather conditions since it can be submerged as changing weather conditions require.
• the cost of a small-sized floating submersible installation is 4 to 5 times less than a large semi-submersible type installation. This makes it possible to considerably reduce the tonnage necessary for its profitability, thus avoiding the inconveniences caused by excessive installations.
• Document FR 2996723 A1 (Ménard) describes a submersible deep-sea aquaculture installation which includes submerged hulls with adjustable ballasts installed at the bottom of the structure.
• the structure also includes a handling bridge, and a single anchor line allowing a 360 ° rotation of the installation.
• the hulls of this installation being installed at the bottom of the structure are based on deeper layers of water which are very little subject to the movement of waves on the surface.
• the installation remains little agitated even under adverse weather conditions.
• the installation according to document FR 2 996 723 A1 has a low resistance to sinking into the water layer because the reduced buoyancy of a submerged hull. While the large volume of its submerged hulls virtually eliminates the impact of waves on its flotation stability, this reduced buoyancy can have drawbacks, especially if the installation is submerged or semi-submerged.
• the installation may become sensitive to variations in weight of a few tonnes, for example during loading or distribution of feed or various stresses that may have an impact on the load plate.
• installation such as, for example, a moored vessel of a certain size, etc. or a change in sea conditions such as the temperature of the surrounding water.
• WO 2017/153417 A1 describes a circular or polygonal semi-submersible fish farming system which has a lower buoyancy element and an upper buoyancy element, both polygonal or ring-shaped.
• the system can be located in at least two different semi-submerged positions. In a first position, the lower buoyancy element is empty and carries the weight of the system to position the cages close to the surface for easy access. In a second position, the lower buoyancy element is ballasted and the system relies on the upper buoyancy element to position the cages away from the sea surface.
• the polygonal or ring-shaped buoyancy elements which are the only buoyancy elements in the system and rely on the sea surface follow the waves and will move the cages according to the movement of the sea.
• the aim of the present invention is to provide a floating and submersible deep-sea aquaculture installation which has better stability, in particular in its submerged or semi-submerged state and which is not sensitive to a variation in the weight of the vessel. installation or a change in sea conditions.
• the object of the invention is achieved by an offshore aquaculture installation comprising a floating and submersible base structure and a semi-submersible superstructure.
• the basic structure is parallelepiped in shape and includes one or more cages open to the open sea with two opposite sides, one of which constitutes the bow of the installation.
• the basic structure further comprises a rigid frame, in particular for supporting the cages, a bridge which is used in particular for handling the installation and may include all the equipment necessary for feeding the fish in the cages.
• the basic structure thus constitutes a volume of fish farming.
• the base structure further includes at least two buoyancy volumes which are located along each of the side faces of the base structure.
• the facility has an anchor line connected to the bow of the facility.
• the anchor line can be fixed on a point in the environment of the installation, in particular on the seabed.
• This anchor line allows together with the buoyancy elements located along each of the side faces of the base structure to rotate 360 ° and position itself in the direction of the mainstream.
• the current can pass through the base structure and the cages which are open to the passage of the sea from the bow to the stern.
• the superstructure comprises one or more buoyancy volumes, in particular in its upper part.
• the installation according to the invention is characterized in that the superstructure has at least in its upper two thirds the shape of a column which extends vertically above the center of gravity of the base structure.
• the area of the largest horizontal section of this superstructure in the upper two thirds is less than 5% of the entire maximum area of a horizontal section of the base structure, and in particular less than 3%.
• the arrangement of the superstructure largely in the form of a column plumb above the center of gravity of the base structure and the reduction of the area of the superstructure in this part reduces its exposure to the effect of the waves at the sea surface. If the installation is in its submerged state of its basic structure, the buoyancy element (s) of its superstructure ensure its resistance to sinking without exposing the installation to the effect waves.
• the column-shaped part of the superstructure may be in the form of a column of constant, increasing, decreasing section or a combination of parts of constant, increasing and decreasing section.
• buoyancy volume (s) of the superstructure plumb above the center of gravity of the base structure having a fairly small section produces a totally different effect from a buoyancy volume, for example circular along the perimeter of a circular installation or which encircles the center of the surface of the base structure without being positioned vertically above the center of gravity within the meaning of the present invention.
• a buoyancy volume for example circular along the perimeter of a circular installation or which encircles the center of the surface of the base structure without being positioned vertically above the center of gravity within the meaning of the present invention.
• the volume that is horizontally farther from the center of gravity of the base structure makes the installation more unstable under the presence of high waves. .
• the basic structure can in particular have a rectangular shape.
• the basic structure is thus elongated and can be anchored with its anchor line connected to the bow of the installation.
• the superstructure can have a height of more than 5 meters, in particular more than 10 meters and in particular more than 15 meters.
• the basic structure with the cages can then be submerged to a maximum depth which essentially corresponds to the height of the superstructure.
• At least a portion of the buoyancy volumes may be adjustable ballast buoyancy volumes.
• the buoyancy volumes placed on the base structure may in part be adjustable to move the installation between a first position close to the surface, called “operational”, with the deck above the sea surface, and a second so-called “submerged” position at a distance below the sea surface, the bridge being submerged. In this second position, the buoyancy volume in the superstructure stabilizes the position of the installation and prevents it from sinking.
• the shape of the superstructure and its arrangement plumb above the center of gravity of the base structure means that the superstructure is not sensitive to sea movements near the surface and the installation remains calm, even if the sea is rough.
• the basic structure can include at least two buoyancy volumes located at the height of the operational waterline level of the installation. If the installation is in its operational position with its deck above the sea surface, these buoyancy volumes are at the sea surface. The vertical thrust of these buoyancy volumes can be much greater than this. which is necessary to float the installation on the sea surface. Thus, the position of the installation is not sensitive to variations in weight or to other effects such as the berthing of a service vessel . If the sea is calm, the installation is not rough and all the actions necessary for the operation of the installation can be carried out without risk to the personnel.
• the buoyancy volumes located at the height of the operational waterline level of the installation can have an at least partly flat top which can for example serve as a quay equipped with docking fenders allowing men to access the deck. of the basic structure in safety, sheltered from the rolling movements of a docked ship.
• the buoyancy of the buoyancy volume (s) of the superstructure may in particular correspond to less than 20% of the weight of the installation and in particular to less than 10%.
• the installation thus relies mainly on its buoyancy volumes located on the base structure, which are found in deep and normally relatively calm layers of water. Only that part of the weight that is supported by the bodywork buoyancy volume (s) is supported by potentially more choppy layers of water.
• the superstructure may preferably have an aerodynamic shape with low sea current engagement, to waves and wind in the direction from the bow to the stern of the installation.
• the section of the superstructure may in particular be at least partly circular or ovoid or may have the shape of an airplane wing.
• the area of the vertical section of the superstructure may be constant over part or all of the superstructure.
• the superstructure may in particular have a larger section in its lower part, for example for reasons of stability and may taper upwards.
• the superstructure can be at least partly in the form of a submarine kiosk, especially in its lower part.
• the reinforcement of the base structure may have faces in the longitudinal direction of the installation, at least one face of which consists of a solid and rigid wall which extends at least over part of the height of the installation. .
• a wall can extend essentially over the entire height of the entire installation or of a cage. It can constitute a face of a cage.
• the solid wall is not necessarily a structural element and can be relatively thin.
• a wall may be stronger at the top where waves can otherwise cause damage and thinner at the bottom farther from the water surface.
• the weight of the installation can thus be limited, and the walls can for example be riveted instead of being welded, which makes the manufacture but also the maintenance and any repair simpler.
• the superstructure of the installation may include a sealed volume provided with glazed surfaces constituting a control and monitoring cell in an operational non-submerged position.
• a control and monitoring cell in an operational non-submerged position.
• Such a cell can be used as a dwelling apart from episodes of submersion, for example due to storms.
• the superstructure of the installation can be surmounted by a mast carrying radio control equipment, video surveillance, radars, antennas and / or regulatory positioning lights, the height of which can be greater than 15 meters, advantageously greater than 20 meters.
• the installation can have a length of 84 to 156 meters and a displacement of 1,500 to 3,000 tons.
• the installation comprises a rigid floating and submersible base structure comprising a tubular frame or other equivalent frame, delimiting a volume comprising at least one breeding cage, its top horizontal face possibly comprising gangways or a very perforated handling bridge of preference.
• the horizontal surface of the top of the base structure is preferably rectangular or square.
• the side faces of the base structure can be made up of a frame of which only one face is covered with a simple rigid and solid or practically solid wall and floats with fixed and / or adjustable ballasts located at different levels in the height of the base structure.
• the basic structure comprises at least one level of floats corresponding to at least one operational waterline level of operation of the installation.
• the rigid and solid or practically solid walls can be installed on the internal face of the frame of the base structure preferably, to constitute smooth faces forming the side faces of the cages, much easier to maintain than nets.
• the rigid and solid walls can also be perforated and receive various surfaces of fixed, mobile or removable trellises or nets.
• the side faces can also consist of a frame without a rigid and solid wall and be completely covered with nets or lattices, fixed, mobile or removable.
• the bow face of the base structure may include a device for increasing or decreasing the speed of passage of the body of water, in the form of a bow, the two side walls of which may be more or less open according to the desired current force, or a perforated bow comprising means for adjusting the surface of the openings in the form of sheets or sliding panels, for example.
• the lateral faces of the base structure can comprise floats of elongated shape preferably, equipped with fixed and / or adjustable ballasts, which can be located at two distinct levels in the height of the base structure.
• Second floats located in the lower part or below the side faces of the structure, providing a first buoyancy volume intended to support part or all of the weight of the installation; - Second floats which can be located at the height of an operational waterline operating level of the installation and installed along the outer face of the side wall of the base structure;
• floats can also be integrated into the frame of the base structure and additionally constitute a structural element of the frame.
• the stern and bow faces of the base structure are open to the sea and fitted with trellises, nets, or any openwork or water-permeable material. They can also include rigid and solid walls which are simply perforated or which include lattice or mesh surfaces.
• the cage (s) of the basic structure can be fitted with movable partitions in 1, 2, or 3 dimensions in order to allow the gathering and retrieval of the fish.
• Such a solution is described in document FR 3 088 170 A1.
• the basic structure can include a floor with a solid or practically solid wall, flat, angular, sloping, etc., be equipped with at least one hollow space for collecting excrement from the farm located at the lowest point of the floor and along the length of the cage (s), and be equipped with a device for collecting excreta from breeding.
• the superstructure can be equipped with openings calibrated at different levels of its height to allow the entry or exit of water during the emersion or gradual immersion of the installation.
• the calibrated openings of the semi-submersible superstructure can be fitted with watertight valves allowing precise control of the waterline level and the rate of emersion and immersion of the installation.
• At least one sealed buoyancy volume surrounds a column of any shape acting as a superstructure of 5, 10 or 15 meters in height or more, such as a ring made sliding and movable vertically by any known means and suitable for adjusting the height. level of buoyancy, emersion or immersion of the structure.
• the control of the emersion and submersion is achieved by combining the buoyancy adjustment of the high and low ballasted floats of the base structure with the fixed and (or) adjustable buoyancy volume of the semi-submersible superstructure.
• the installation includes an anchor line connected to a single anchor point that allows it to rotate to keep up with the mainstream. It is advantageous that the lower end of the anchor line is connected to an anchor point located at a certain distance from the seabed so as not to damage it by scraping its surface.
• a buoyancy volume connected to a device anchored to the seabed and positioned above it can fulfill this role.
• the superstructure is topped by a mast at least 20 meters high, preferably 30 meters or more, comprising control and monitoring equipment, depth markers and regulatory positioning lights, etc.
• Figure 1a illustrates purely schematically an embodiment of an aquaculture installation according to the invention in side view in an operational position not submerged;
• FIG. 1b shows the installation according to Figure 1a in its submerged position
• FIG. 2a illustrates in a purely schematic manner another embodiment of an aquaculture installation according to the invention in side view in a non-submerged operational position
• Figure 2b shows the installation according to Figure 2a in its submerged position
• FIG. 3 illustrates purely schematically a third embodiment of an aquaculture facility according to the invention in perspective.
• FIG 1a shows an aquaculture installation 1 which is intended for use in the high seas known as "offshore”.
• the installation comprises a floating and submersible base structure 2 which comprises a rigid frame 4 and one or more cages 3 and thus constitutes a rearing volume.
• the base structure further comprises at least two buoyancy volumes 5 which are located along each of the side faces of the base structure.
• the base structure 2 further comprises a handling bridge 9.
• the installation further comprises a semi-submersible superstructure 6 which comprises a buoyancy volume 7 in its upper part.
• the superstructure 6 is entirely in the form of a column and extends plumb above the center of gravity C of the base structure 2.
• the superstructure 7 has the form of a column of circular section of constant diameter over the entire height of the column.
• the area of its horizontal section S is less than 5% of the entire maximum area S 'of a horizontal section of the base structure 2.
• the column has a height of 10 meters.
• the float 7 of the superstructure is installed in its upper end.
• the facility can be anchored with a single anchor line 11 which is attached to the bow 12 of the facility, including the bow of frame 4 of base structure 2.
• FIG 1a we see the installation in its operational position close to the surface of the sea M. This position facilitates access to the cages and allows maintenance of the installation.
• the basic structure 4 of the installation is floating.
• the cages 3 are below the surface of the sea M and the bridge is emerged and is above the surface of the sea M.
• the various equipment of the bridge such as control and monitoring cells can be located at a few meters above sea level.
• the buoyancy elements 5 are located at the height of the operational waterline level of the installation and are therefore in this position close to the sea surface M.
• the vertical thrust of the buoyancy elements is sufficient to support the entire weight of the vessel. the installation including its load.
• the installation can be submerged, for example in the event of adverse weather conditions such as storms, high waves or in the event of pollution of the sea surface.
• the base structure 2 of the facility is completely submerged, including the deck. Appropriate measures are then taken to make the deck spaces watertight if necessary.
• the floats 5 of the installation are adjustable ballast floats. To submerge the base structure to a predetermined depth, the floats are weighted, such that the vertical thrust of the floats is no longer sufficient to make the installation float on the surface of the sea. The ballast is stopped when the vertical thrust of the floats floats correspond to approximately 90% of the current weight of the installation. The installation begins to sink.
• the vertical thrust of the buoyancy element 7 of the superstructure corresponds to 20% of the operational weight of the installation.
• the total vertical thrust of the floats 5 located on the base structure 4 and of the float 7 of the superstructure 6 is sufficient to maintain the installation in its submerged position.
• the load distribution with most of the weight of the installation supported by the fully submerged floats 5 of the base structure 2 means that the installation mainly relies on deep and still water layers.
• the small part of the weight supported by the float of the superstructure makes the installation insensitive to surface effects such as rough seas.
• the submerged position of the base structure 2 and thus of the cages 3 is defined by the height of the superstructure 6 and the position of the buoyancy volume 7 in the superstructure.
• the float 7 of the superstructure 6 rests on the sea surface and ensures the stability of the installation in the submerged position.
• the position of the float 7 plumb above the center of gravity C of the base structure 2 ensures a low grip on the waves of the superstructure.
• the installation and consequently the cages 3 of the installation remain stable and not very agitated, even in the event of high waves on the surface of the sea.
• FIG. 2a shows another embodiment of the invention which partly corresponds to the embodiment of Figure 1a.
• the installation according to figure 2a additionally comprises two buoyancy elements 5 'located along each of the side faces of the base structure 4 in its lower part.
• the 5 ′ buoyancy elements are non-adjustable elements whose vertical thrust corresponds to approximately 80% of the empty weight of the installation.
• the buoyancy elements 5 are adjustable ballast elements whose vertical thrust can be adjusted to support the remaining weight of the installation including the load of the installation. The majority of the weight therefore remains on the 5 ’buoyancy elements in deeper, calm layers of water. The installation is then very stable in its operational position.
• Figure 2b shows the installation of Figure 2a in its submerged position where the base structure 2 is fully submerged. To reach this position, the buoyancy elements 5 are partially weighted, such that the vertical thrust of all the elements 5 and 5 ’is no longer sufficient to float the installation. The installation sinks into the water until the float 7 stops the sinking as described in view of Figure 1b.
• the superstructure 6 has the shape of a column with an ovoid section in the upper two thirds 13 of its height.
• the area of the horizontal section in this part of the superstructure is less than 5% of the maximum area of a horizontal section of the base structure.
• the lower part 14 of the superstructure has a larger section, on one side for reasons of stability, on the other side to save space for control, monitoring and living cells 20 for use in the field. non-submerged operational position.
• this part of the superstructure is shaped like a submarine kiosk and includes volumes that can be sealed for periods of submersion.
• the superstructure and in particular the living quarters may have glazed surfaces.
• FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the installation according to the invention in perspective.
• the basic structure 2 of the installation which comprises a frame 4 and several cages 3 which are open to the open sea at the bow 12 and at the stern 22 of the installation.
• the frame of the base structure comprises a central wall 20 solid and rigid in the longitudinal direction of the installation which extends over the entire height of the cages and constitutes one face of the cages.
• the installation has 5, 5 ’buoyancy elements of which a part 5’ is located in the lower part and a part is located in the upper part 5 of the base structure.
• the basic structure further comprises a bridge 9 which extends above the position of the upper buoyancy elements 5 and which comprises all the equipment necessary for the operation of the installation such as for example cranes 21 or a shelter. 26 for staff.
• the installation further comprises a compact superstructure 6 which is located plumb above the center of gravity of the base structure.
• the superstructure is in the form of a 15-meter column and includes a buoyancy volume in its upper part.
• the area of the largest section in the upper two-thirds of the superstructure is less than 5% of the entire area of the largest section of the base structure.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Revetment (AREA)

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Family Applications (1)

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• 2020
  • 2020-10-05 EP EP20828522.1A patent/EP4037480A1/de active Pending
  • 2020-10-05 WO PCT/EP2020/000169 patent/WO2021063535A1/fr unknown
  • 2020-10-05 AU AU2020360572A patent/AU2020360572A1/en active Pending

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