GB2557711A

GB2557711A - System for removal and transport of waste from a fish cage, and a fish farming plant

Info

Publication number: GB2557711A
Application number: GB1716686.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Heffernan Liam
Original assignee: Lift Up As
Current assignee: Lift Up As
Priority date: 2016-10-12
Filing date: 2017-10-12
Publication date: 2018-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-12
Also published as: GB201716686D0; GB2557711B; NO20161631A1; NO343061B1

Abstract

A system for transporting bottom waste from a net cage 10 in a fish farming plant 16 to a common processing site removes waste from the bottom of the net cage and transports it through the net cage in a pipe. The pipe 14 from the bottom of each net cage is connected to a main pipe via a branch pipe 11 on a raft 15 arranged between rows of net cages. The raft comprises several branches of the main pipe to be connected to one or more pipes from net cages. Also provided is a farming plant comprising a number of net cages wherein each net cage has a pipe for removal of bottom waste from the bottom of the net cage, and where the pipes are connected to a common main pipe transporting the bottom waste to a main barge. The net cages are arranged in rows and the pipes for removal of bottom waste from each net cage is connected to a branch pipe of the main pipe on a raft. The main pipe for removing of waste from the net cages is running from the most distal raft to the main barge.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: System for removal and transport of waste from a fish cage, and a fish farming plant Abstract Title: Waste removal for net cages (57) A system for transporting bottom waste from a net cage 10 in a fish farming plant 16 to a common processing site removes waste from the bottom of the net cage and transports it through the net cage in a pipe. The pipe 14 from the bottom of each net cage is connected to a main pipe via a branch pipe 11 on a raft 15 arranged between rows of net cages. The raft comprises several branches of the main pipe to be connected to one or more pipes from net cages. Also provided is a farming plant comprising a number of net cages wherein each net cage has a pipe for removal of bottom waste from the bottom of the net cage, and where the pipes are connected to a common main pipe transporting the bottom waste to a main barge. The net cages are arranged in rows and the pipes for removal of bottom waste from each net cage is connected to a branch pipe of the main pipe on a raft.

The main pipe for removing of waste from the net cages is running from the most distal raft to the main barge.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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Fig. 1 (Prior art)

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Fig. 2

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Fig. 3

System for removal and transport of waste from a fish cage and a fish farming plant

The present invention is related to a system for removal and transport of bottom waste in fish cages, according to the preamble of patent claim 1, and a fish farming plant according to the preamble of patent claim 10.

Background

A fish farming plant generally comprises a number of fish cages and a common facility for storage of equipment for the plant. A common facility may be on shore, but the plant is often so far from shore that a barge is used. Such a facility or barge is referred to as a main barge or feed barge, and comprises equipment for controlling the whole plant, not just the feeding. A number of pipes and cables, for instance for feeding, electrical power to lights, cameras and other equipment being arranged at each fish cage, are running from the main barge to each cage.

When the plant is running and there is fish in the fish cages, some dead fish will naturally fall to the bottom of each fish cage, together with remains of feed, faeces and other waste. This kind of waste falling to the bottom of the fish cages, including dead fish, will in the following be referred to as bottom waste. To maintain optimal conditions in the fish cage, this bottom waste should be removed as soon as possible. Research suggests that dead fish may infect other fish, and thus it is an advantage if the bottom waste may be removed without transporting the bottom waste and surrounding water, through the fish cage. Several systems are developed in order to remove bottom waste in a secure way, for instance from LiftUP Akva AS.

A system for removal of bottom waste may comprise a pump attached to a suction pipe running to the bottom of the net cage to remove dead fish and waste. The suction pipe is closed and transports the dead fish and waste to the surface, and eventually further to a common barge for processing. The pipes transporting the bottom waste from each net cage to the common barge may also be a part of a common piping system, in such a way that the pipe from the bottom of each net cage is connected to a common system, preferably by pumps and valves. Such pipe systems are prior art, for instance from LiftUP Akva AS.

From NO 329813, a former patent of the applicant, it is known a device for collecting bottom waste. The bottom waste is collected and pumped to the surface in a pipe or flexible hose by means of a pressure fluid system being connected to the lower part of the pipe in such a way that suction is created. From NO 332592 and NO 333633 it is known a system wherein pipes for removing bottom waste from the individual the net cages, are connected to a common pipe transporting to a common barge. Corresponding systems may preferably also be used with the present invention.

It is however, a problem with the known systems that they limit the access to the rim of the net cage. The pipes from each of the net cages are connected to a common pipe, and the common pipe is running from the most distal net cage to a common barge for processing. The pipe is thus running past every cage, see the enclosed Figure 1. It is often a need to dock the net cage with boat, for instance when changing or maintaining the net bag, and the common transport pipes for bottom waste reduce the possiblity for docking.

By pipe or tube it is in the context of this application meant both stiff pipes of plastic and steel, and flexible pipes and tubes, pipes and tubes which may be coiled, and pipes being so flexible that they collapse when no fluid is flowing through them. Correspondingly, by cables or wires it is meant both stiff and flexible cables and wires. Cables and wires are preferably not meant to enclose liquid or gas.

Object of the present invention.

A main object of the present invention is to solve the above said problems, and not to limit the access to the net cage or the farming plant as such. Further it is an object that the pipes, pipe system and other cables are not exposed to stretch and other unnecessary loads. Finally it is an object that it should be possible to install the system on existing net cages and farming plants.

The invention

The objects are fulfilled with a system and a farming plant according to the characterizing part of the independent claims. Further advantageous features are given in the corresponding independent claims.

The invention is related to a system for transporting bottom waste from a net cage to a processing site. The bottom waste is removed from the bottom and transported through the net cage in a pipe, as the pipe is connected to a common main pipe for transporting bottom waste from several net cages to the processing site. A pipe is running from the bottom of each net cage to a device with pipe fittings and buoys being arranged on the outside of the net cage, and further to a branch pipe of the main pipe. The branch pipe is a part of a raft arranged between rows of net cages, as the raft comprises several branches of the main pipe, to connect one or more pipes from net cages. The raft also comprises means to moor the raft.

The system according to the invention is thus comprising a device arranged on the outside of each net cage and a raft comprising several branches of the main pipe, arranged between the rows of net cages, wherein the pipe from the bottom of each net cage is connected to a pipe fitting of the device, and further to a branch pipe of the main pipe on the raft.

The raft comprises a part of the main pipe or a pipe socket wherein the main pipe may be connected in both ends. The main pipe or the pipe socket comprises branches to connect two or more pipes from net cages onto the main pipe for removing of bottom waste. The raft also comprises means for fastening a number of pipes and/or cables to the raft and to moor the raft.

Pipes from two net cages should preferably be connected at each raft, in such a way that the pipe socket comprises two branches. In alternative embodiments the pipe socket may comprise more branches to connect pipes from more net cages. The branches may be distributed along the pipe socket or divert from the same point, in such a way that the pipe socket is shaped as a Ψ. At a raft being arranged most distal from the common site, it will not be necessary that the pipe socket has a two connections for the main pipe, as the main pipe starts at this raft. The pipe socket may then either have a blinded opening, or the shape of a Y.

A raft as used in this context, is considerably smaller in size than a regular feed barge, as it may also be referred to as a floating connection site. Preferably it is used several rafts according to the present invention for one farming plant, and more preferred it is use one raft for every second net cage.

Both the main pipe for removal of bottom waste, and the pipes from the net cages are preferably floating in water, and is manufactured of a material having net weight less than water in such a way that it is floating even when it is filled with water. The main pipe is running from a connection point for the most distal net cages, to a common collection site for processing the bottom waste. The collection site is often on a feed barge or main barge.

In most know systems for removal of bottom waste, it is necessary to use an adjustable barrier or one-way valve, in the pipes running to the net cages, to prevent that bottom waste from one net cage is transported to another net cage. Such valves may preferably be a part of the pipe socket, more preferably arranged in the branch. In an alternative embodiment, the valve may be a part of the device with pipe fittings on the outside of the net cage. By arranging the one-way valve on the raft or the device it is easily accessible for maintenance or repair.

In addition to the pipes being a part of the system for removal of bottom waste being described above, there will be a number of pipes, tubes, cables and wires running to and from the net cages, for instance for electricity, feeding etc. In order to reduce the stress on these it is an advantage to attach these to the rafts according to the invention. It is also an advantage that pipes and cables are led in defined areas, in such a way that boats and other vessels may move around the plant without risking getting in contact with these. A raft being used according to the present invention comprises thus means for attaching a number of pipes and/or cables. The means may be any means being convenient for the use, but must be sufficient safe and strong to hold the pipes and cables even during extreme weather. In one embodiment the means may be ropes, lines and/or strips being fastened around the raft to attach cables, pipe and wires running under the raft.

The raft should be supplied with a number of buoys in order to float in the sea and to have sufficient carrying capacity. In an alternative embodiment is the raft manufactured of a material having a net weight less than water. The raft should carry its own weight and the pipe socket, the main pipe running from the raft, and a number of pipes and cables being attached to the raft. As said above, some of the pipes may be made of a material floating in the water, and then the carrying capacity of the raft may be reduced correspondingly. The number of pipes and wires to be attached to the raft will vary from plant to plant, and depend on the placing in the plant. The carrying capacity of the raft should further be calculated in such a way that it may carry further load, for instance persons and tools to perform maintenance and/or repairs. The load and buoyancy of the raft must thus be adjusted according to the locality of the raft, which will be obvious to a skilled person.

The raft further comprises means for mooring or anchoring the raft to hold it in position even during wind and current at the locality. The raft may preferably be moored in the mooring of the farming plant, and thus more mooring lines may be avoided. Each net cage is preferably moored in a frame, and the frames constitute a framework. This kind of mooring is referred to as frame mooring. When the farming plant has a frame mooring, the raft is preferably moored in the frame, and more preferred in a joint of the frame between to rows of net cages. The means for mooring may be any convenient means, but must be sufficiently safe and strong to hold the raft in place even during extreme weather, which is obvious to a skilled person. In one embodiment, the means are lines or ropes being attached to parts or the whole raft and to the mooring point.

The net cages in a farming plant having a system according to the present invention, are arranged in rows where the rafts for connecting pipes from the net cages to the main pipe for transport to a common processing site, is arranged between two rows of net cages. If the plant comprises 4 rows of net cages, it will only be 2 rows of rafts, as the net cages from two sides of the raft is connected to the main pipe on the raft. In this way the net cages and the rim of the net cages are freely accessible from the side of the row where the rafts are not arranged.

The invention is further related to a farming plant comprising a number of net cages where each net cage has a pipe for removal of bottom waste from the bottom of the net cage. The pipes are connected to a common pipe transporting the bottom waste to a main barge. The net cages of the plant are arranged in rows, and the pipes for removal of bottom waste from each net cage are connected to branches of a raft being moored in the mooring of the farming plant between two rows of net cages.

The main pipe is running from the most distal raft to the main barge for processing of the bottom waste.

With a system according to the invention, the distance from main barge or feed barge to the net cages may be increased significantly, without increasing the load and stress of the pipes and wires correspondingly. When the raft is arranged centrally between two net cages, the access to the net cages will be significantly increased, as it will only be one spot at the rim of the net cage where pipes, cables and the similar are led to and from the net cage.

The system according to the present invention further comprises a device including pipe fittings and buoys arranged on the outside of the net cage, as the pipe from the net cage should be connected to this device. In most embodiments must pipes, cables and the similar to and from the net cage have to be lifted above the hand rail to avoid holes in the net bag, and/or a net surrounding the net cage. The pipe for removing bottom waste will therefore have a height fall from the hand rail to the surface of the water, and unfavourable stress and bends on the pipe may occur. By connecting the pipe to the device floating in the surface of the water, on the outside of the net cage, and then let the pipe run from the device to the raft, the load and stress on the pipe will be reduced. The device should preferably be designed with the buoys on the outside, such that the buoys may function as fenders towards the floating collar and thus prevent tear and wear on the floating collar, the pipe and the device. In an alternative embodiment, the device comprises a double pipe wall, as a room between the walls constitutes a floating element in addition to, or instead of, the buoys on the outside.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one of the pipe fittings of the device is angular, as it is intended to be connected to the pipe from the net cage and is thus angled towards the surface. The other pipe fitting is preferably in plane with the surface of the water, as it is intended to be connected to a pipe floating in the sea towards the raft. By having angles of the pipe fittings , bends of the pipe and device are avoided, and the device may be arranged closely into the rim of the net cage and will not be a danger or risk when vessels should dock the net cage or persons walk on the walk way.

A device having pipe fittings designed in this way, will also reduce the work related to handling of pipes when the system for removal of bottom waste in the net cage should be moved or removed. The system for removal of bottom waste must be lifted and/or moved when lifting and/or changing the net bag. When the device has buoys and is in the surface of the water, it will be easy to get hold of it, and disconnect the pipe in question, while the rest of the system is intact.

A preferred material of the pipes is plastic having buoyancy in water, preferably having a density of 0,9. Further, it is preferred that the raft is designed of corresponding plastic pipes.

Description of Figures

Preferred embodiments of the invention will in the following be described in more detail with reference to the following figures, where Figure 1 shows a fish farming plant according to prior art,

Figure 2 shows a fish farming plant according to the present invention, and Figure 3 shows details of a device being on the outside of a net cage.

Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The following description of an exemplary embodiment refers to the drawing, and the following detailed description is not meant or intended to limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a fish farming plant according to prior art, comprising 10 net cages 1, and two main pipes 2 for transport of bottom waste to a common main barge 3. At every net cage 1 is a pipe from the net cage connected to the main pipe for transport of bottom waste, at a connection point 4 of the main pipe, comprising a Y pipe.

Figure 2 shows a fish farming plant according to the present invention, having 8 net cages 10, and one common main pipe 11 for transport of bottom waste to a common main barge 12. At every rim of every fish cage, the pipe 13 from the fish cage is connected to a a device 14 comprising pipe fittings and buoys, and further to a raft 15 comprising branches of the main pipe 11 in such a way that the pipe from the net cage may be connected to the main pipe. The removal of bottom waste from the bottom of the net cage is not shown, and may be performed in different ways which will be obvious to a skilled person.

The net cages in the fish farming plant are arranged in two rows, and the rafts 15 where the pipes 13 from the net cages are connected, is arranged in the centre of the rows. The net cages are moored with frame mooring, and the rafts are moored in the frame mooring. The frame mooring is not shown, but the buoys 16 being fastened to the mooring are shown in Figure 2.

With a system and farming plant as shown in Figure 2, it is easy to access to the net 5 cages, from the left side for the net cages in the left row, and from the right for the net cages in the right row, and one may access the circumference of nearly the whole net cage. This is a large advantage compared to the fish farming plant shown in Figure 1, where the access to parts of the circumference of the net cage is prevented by the main pipe 2.

In Figure 3 the device 14 being arranged on the outside of each the net cage, is shown in detail. One of the pipe fittings 16 is angled, for connection to the pipe from the net cage (not shown). When the device 14 is arranged at the net cage, the pipe fitting 16 is angled upwards to the hand rail of the floating collar. The device is further provided with floating elements 17, which functions as fenders towards the floating collar of the net cage. The floating elements are fastened to the device between two plates 18, in such a way that they are stabile and without risk of unfastening.

The scope of the invention is not limited by the example stated above, but the enclosed claims. Modifications and amendments being obvious to a skilled person are also within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. System for transporting bottom waste from a net cage in a farming plant to a common processing site, as the bottom waste is removed from the bottom of the net cage and transported through the net cage in a pipe, wherein the pipe is connected to a common main pipe for transport of bottom waste from several net cages, characterized in that the system further comprises a device arranged on the outside of each net cage and a raft comprising several branches of the main pipe, arranged between the rows of net cages, wherein the pipe from the bottom of each net cage is connected to a pipe fitting of the device, and further to a branch pipe of the main pipe on the raft.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that a branch pipe of the main pipe comprises a one way valve.

3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the device on the outside of the net cage comprises a one way valve.

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, as a number of pipes and tubes are running between a common main barge and the net cages, characterized in that the raft wherein the pipe from the net cage is connected to the main pipe, further comprises means for attaching a number of pipes and/or cables to the raft.

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the net cages of the plant is arranged in rows, and that a number of rafts for connecting pipes from the cages to the main pipe for transport of bottom waste, is arranged between the rows of net cages, preferably between a pair of rows.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is designed with two pipe fittings, as a pipe fitting for connection to the pipe from the net cage is angled upwards to the surface, and a pipe fitting for connection to the main pipe is angled in the plane for water surface, away from the net cage.

7. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a double pipe wall, wherein the space between the pipe walls constitutes a floating element.

8. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that floating elements are arranged on the outside of the device, preferably designed as fenders.

9. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the raft

10 comprises mooring means for mooring the raft, preferably in the mooring of the farming plant.

10. Farming plant comprising a number of net cages as each net cage is provided with a pipe for removal of bottom waste from the bottom of the net cage, the pipes

15 are connected to a common main pipe transporting the bottom waste to a main barge, characterized in that the net cages are arranged in rows and that the pipes for removal of bottom waste from each net cage is connected to a branch pipe of the main pipe on a raft, wherein the main pipe for removal of waste from the net cages runs from the most distal raft to the main barge.

11. Farming plant according to claim 10, characterized in that a pipe for removal of bottom waste from a net cage is connected to a device at the outside of the net cage, before it is connected to the branch pipe of the main pipe.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1716686.9 Examiner: Mr Richard Nicholls