JP2005538688A - Mega flow system - Google Patents

Abstract

An aeration circulation aquaculture system including a culture tank and an aeration and circulation system. The aquaculture tank grows aquatic organisms. The aquaculture tank defines a first flow path. The aeration / circulation system includes an aeration apparatus that generates aerated water. The aeration apparatus defines a second flow path. The first flow path and the second flow path define a closed flow path that at least partially communicates with the aquaculture tank and the aeration apparatus. An aeration / circulation system is configured to circulate aerated water around the closed flow path.

Description

(Field and Background of the Invention)
The present invention relates to an aquaculture system, particularly a system for increasing biomass density in aquaculture, by aeration using only air.

First, modern aquaculture is an intensive aquaculture facility that attempts to reduce operational and investment costs by reducing farm facilities. This is achieved by cultivating the species to be cultivated at a high density and a relatively small amount of culture.
Such high density is not common in the natural environment, and special methods are required to support the need for dissolved oxygen, the removal of carbon dioxide, and the removal of solids from the culture.

The most widely developed solution is to use oxygen enrichment from a liquid oxygen source or oxygen generator. A high concentration oxygen source makes it possible to fully fill the oxygen and allow a low water circulation rate.
In this method, high energy input is required to dissolve oxygen, as well as removal of carbon dioxide produced by respiration.

Other methods based on aeration devices such as outer rings, surface agitators and air diffusers limit maximum biocongestion. Biological density is limited because only a narrow width is available to incorporate oxygen between the fullness and minimum concentration required for all domesticated species.
Typically, the minimum concentration required is not very different from fullness (1 to 3 differences per million). Biological density is also limited due to the maximum speed and swing that occurs with such devices, limiting the use of the device, and the maximum density due to the rate of oxygen consumption and the maximum possible speed and swing. Cause obstacles.

  Thus, there is a need for a system that exceeds the density limit for an aeration recirculating aquaculture system.

(Summary of the Invention)
The present invention is an aeration recirculation aquaculture system and method of operation thereof.

  According to the teachings of the present invention, (a) a first flow path is defined and an aquaculture tank in which aquatic organisms are grown; and (b) an aeration apparatus that generates aerated water and defines a second flow path. Consists of an aeration / circulation system, where the first and second flow paths define a closed flow path that at least partially communicates with the aquaculture tank and the aeration apparatus, and the aeration / circulation system mixes air around the closed flow path An aeration / recirculation aquaculture system for circulating water is provided.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the aeration apparatus comprises an air pump comprising a discharge mechanism and a water channel, the water channel comprises a top opening and a bottom opening, the discharge mechanism injects air into the water, and into the water channel A plurality of holes for forming a plurality of bubbles, the holes covering most of the discharge mechanism, the discharge mechanism having at least one opening, and the opening allows water to pass through the discharge mechanism; This allows most of the water flowing in the second flow path to pass through the discharge mechanism between the formed holes.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the water channel causes fluid movement directly from the upward flow of water in the water channel into the first flow path of the aquaculture tank.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, (a) the aquaculture tank has an inner bottom surface, and (b) at least a portion of the bottom opening of the water channel is disposed below an arbitrary portion of the inner bottom surface.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the water channel has a substantially rectangular cross section.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the water channel narrows in a tapered manner toward the upper opening.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the holes are disposed between the discharge mechanisms with a space at substantially equal intervals.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the air pump includes an adjustable throttle that adjusts the flow rate of the water flowing through the water channel, and is capable of adjusting the amount of aeration in the water.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the air pump includes a discharge mechanism disposed outside the water channel, and the discharge mechanism adjusts the flow rate of water flowing in the water channel and adjusts the amount of air mixed in the water. Is possible.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the upper opening is disposed substantially entirely below the static water level in the aquaculture tank.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the aquaculture tank has a first inclined inner bottom surface adjacent to the upper opening of the water channel and the second inclined inner bottom surface, and the first inclined inner bottom surface is steeper than the second inclined inner bottom surface. It is.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a separation mechanism disposed between the aquaculture tank and the aeration apparatus at the substantial end of the first flow path, the separation mechanism preventing clogging of the aeration apparatus. In order to do so, the water discharged from the culture tank is filtered.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a bottom collector with a collection opening, the aquaculture tank has an internal bottom surface, the collection opening is disposed adjacent to the internal bottom surface, and the first flow path is provided. The bottom layer of flowing sewage is removed from the aquaculture tank through the collection opening.

According to a further feature of the present invention, (a) the bottom collector comprises a collection container for collecting the bottom layer,
(B) The bottom collector has a pump mechanism that removes the bottom layer from the collection container, and the pump mechanism has sufficient suction to remove the bottom layer from the first flow path through the collection opening.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the collection container has a bottom surface that is at least partially inclined, causing solidification for collection in the vicinity of the pump mechanism.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the pump mechanism is operated using an air pump device.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, (a) a water channel having a top opening and a bottom opening and defining a flow path from the bottom opening to the top opening, and (b) injecting air into the water. And a discharge mechanism having a plurality of holes for generating a plurality of bubbles in the water channel, the hole covers substantially the whole of the discharge mechanism, the discharge mechanism comprises at least one opening, the opening is The flow of water in the discharge mechanism is allowed, and most of the water flow in the first water channel passes through the discharge mechanism between the numerous holes.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the water channel has a substantially rectangular cross section.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the water channel narrows in a tapered manner toward the upper opening.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the holes are arranged with an approximately equal space between the discharge mechanisms.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, an adjustable throttle for adjusting the flow rate of the water flowing in the water channel is provided to allow adjustment of the amount of aeration in the water.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, it is provided with a discharge mechanism disposed outside the water channel, and the discharge mechanism can adjust the flow rate of water flowing through the water channel and adjust the amount of air mixed in the water. .

  According to a further feature of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning system for cleaning sewage in a tank in which a water flow in a defined flow path is formed and having an inner bottom surface, wherein (a) adjacent to the inner bottom surface of the tank A collection opening for removing the bottom layer of the sewage flowing through the tank, a collection container for collecting the bottom layer, and (b) removing the bottom layer from the collection container, and the bottom layer through the collection opening. And a pump mechanism having a pump with sufficient capacity to be removed from the tank.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the collection container has a bottom surface that is at least partially inclined to cause solidification for collection near the pump mechanism.

  According to a further feature of the present invention, the pump mechanism is operated using an air pump device.

Detailed Description of the Invention

  The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is a configuration of an aeration recirculation aquaculture system and a method for operating the same. The principles and operation of an aeration recirculation aquaculture system according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.

Reference is made to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an aerated recirculating aquaculture system 10 constructed and operated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the aeration recirculation aquaculture system 10 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the aeration recirculation aquaculture system 10 of FIG.
The aeration recirculation aquaculture system 10 has a culture tank 12 and an aeration tank 14 for containing aquatic organisms such as fish and crustaceans. The aquaculture tank 12 defines a flow path 16. The aeration tank 14 includes an aeration and circulation system 18 having an aeration apparatus 20 configured to mix air with water in the aquaculture tank 12. The aeration device 20 is formed from four air pumps 22. One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that the number of air pumps in the aeration device 20 depends on various design requirements.
In general, it is possible to have only one air pump in the aeration device 20. However, the splitting of the aeration device 20 into multiple air pumps allows the operator to use a portion of the air pump battery when the biomass is small and also increases the demand for biomass or aeration. Depending on the system, more air pumps can be used. Thus, energy is saved because the supply of energy is close to the required demand. The air pump 22 mixes air with water by adding oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.
The aeration device 20 defines a flow path 24. Like the flow channel 26, the flow channel 16 and the flow channel 24 are defined by the rest of the aeration tank 14 and define a substantially closed flow path that continuously passes through the aquaculture tank 12 and the aeration tank 14. A closed channel is described as “substantially closed” because about 10% of its flow is removed to undergo a nitrification cycle and about 1% of the main flow is removed as waste solids. (See inspection tray 33 below). Although the closed channel is described as “continuously passing through the aquaculture tank 12 and the aeration tank 14”, the word “continuous” does not imply an order, “Continuously passes through the aeration tank 14 and the aquaculture tank 12”. The aeration and circulation system 18 is configured to circulate around a generally closed flow path. Each air pump 22 performs this circulation function. The air pump 22 is described in more detail in FIG.

In operation, air bubbles are added to the water with the air pump 22 to push the water up. This foam flow then proceeds to the aquaculture tank 12. At this point, the water moves at about 1 meter per second. However, the speed of water at this point varies at any location in the range of 20 to 150 cm per second and depends on the design of each air pump 22 and the number of air pumps being used. The aquaculture tank 12 has an inclined inner bottom surface 28 in contact with the air pump 22 and an inclined inner bottom surface 30 in the remaining part of the aquaculture tank 12. The inclined inner bottom surface 28 is steeper than the inclined inner bottom surface 30.
The inclined inner bottom surface 28 gradually merges the bubble flow that has passed through the air pump 22 into the slow flow in the aquaculture tank 12. The flow rate in the aquaculture tank 12 in the region of the inclined inner bottom surface 30 is typically 10 cm per second to allow a substantially uniform laminar flow of water. The speed is maintained at a speed suitable for the organism being cultivated. The inclined inner bottom surface 30 facilitates the movement of solid waste toward the bottom collector 32, which is disposed in contact with the inclined inner bottom surface 30 proximate to the end of the flow path 16.
The bottom collector 32 removes the bottom layer of sewage containing waste. The sewage is sent to be processed through the inspection tray 33. The test tray 33 collects heavy solids such as food pellets that could not be eaten. This makes it possible to make decisions and gather information about aquatic aquaculture, for example by adjusting feeding methods. Water and sediment are released from the inspection tray 33 for further processing. A separation mechanism 34, which is generally a separation net and a lattice, is disposed between the culture tank 12 and the aeration tank 14 and is provided at almost the end of the flow path 16. The separation mechanism 34 is configured to filter the water passing through the aquaculture tank 12 to prevent the aeration device 20 from becoming clogged.
The separation mechanism 34 is inclined toward the aeration layer 14 to allow objects that may block the separation mechanism 34, such as fish carcasses, to float above the separation mechanism 34 and be easily removed there. ing. Due to the closed water channel between the aquaculture tank 12 and the aeration tank 14, well-oxygenated and degassed water enters the aquaculture tank 12, and water that is hardly oxygenated and saturated with carbon dioxide enters the aeration tank 14. Go back. Therefore, creating the largest concentration difference effectively facilitates gas movement of the air pump in the operation of the air pump. As described above, the speed of the water flow in the aquaculture tank 12 depends on the design of the air pump 22 and the number of air pumps 22 being operated. Heavy solids tend to sink quickly to the bottom of the aquaculture tank 12. Therefore, the water flow rate and the slope of the sloped inner bottom surface 30 need to be configured so that solids do not accumulate in the less flowable portion of the aquaculture tank 12. Since solids release undesirable substances into water, it is important to prevent the accumulation of solids. However, the speed of the water flow in the aquaculture tank 12 is determined by the minimum cleaning speed, which takes into account the bottom collector 32 in consideration of the comfort of the fish and the efficient movement of the gas. Along the line 30, it is necessary for the solid to be pushed.

  Reference is now made to FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of an aeration recirculation aquaculture system 36 constructed and operated in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The aeration recirculation aquaculture system 36 has two aquaculture tanks 36 and two aeration tanks 40. Each aeration tank 40 has an aeration / circulation system 42. The aeration recirculating aquaculture system 36 also has a bottom collector 44 and a separation mechanism 46 located in each aquarium 38. The aquaculture tank 38 and the aeration tank 40 define a closed flow path.

The air pump 22 is an improvement over a known air pump and has high efficiency. The air pump uses compressed air, which is introduced into the bottom of the pump, which produces a mixture of air bubbles and water that is lighter than water. This creates a lift effect. Several researchers in Timmons & Reinemann have proven that air pumps are efficient only when the ratio of gas to liquid is below 25%. This gives rise to the so-called “bubble flow” phenomenon. Some researchers recommend that the ratio of pump diameter to its length be less than 1:15. Standard aquaculture tanks are so shallow that the diameter of a typical air pump is limited to about 3 inches, limiting the discharge flow rate.
The present invention is based on the high flow rate of freshly aerated water through the aeration tank 14. The flow provides the necessary dissolved oxygen while maintaining the minimum concentration above a predetermined concentration. The desired flow is therefore the required total oxygen flux divided by the range of available concentrations. In aquaculture, typical oxygen flow is a few hundred grams per ton of biomass per hour, so the typical required water flow is a few hundred cubic meters per ton of biomass per hour. Therefore, a generally adapted air pump should have a flow capacity of several thousand cubic meters per hour. Such a flow rate is not practical with conventional air pumps, which are typically limited to 3 inches in diameter. It is necessary to provide this flow rate by using many conventional air pumps. However, the cost of manufacturing, maintaining and operating many air pumps is too high to be economical in commercial aquaculture. Furthermore, it is very difficult to make up for operations that produce low efficiency. Therefore, the air pump 22 of the present invention has the added feature of overcoming the 1:15 ratio, which can provide a highly efficient air pump for commercial aquaculture.

Reference is again made to FIG. Each air pump 22 has a discharge mechanism 50 and a water channel 52. The water channel 52 has a top opening 54 and a bottom opening 56. The discharge mechanism 50 is disposed inside the water channel 52 adjacent to the bottom opening 56 or below the water channel 52 adjacent to the bottom opening 56.
Reference is also made to FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the discharge mechanism 50. The discharge mechanism 50 has a discharge net 58. The discharge net 58 is formed from a central air passage 60 that supplies compressed air to the plurality of second air passages 62. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the drainage net 58 is about 45 cm in length and about 35 cm in width.
The second air passage 62 has a plurality of air discharge holes 64 that generate bubbles when air is injected into water in the water passage 52. The second air passage 62 is usually formed from a hard material such as hard plastic. The hole 64 is usually 0.5 mm in diameter. Further, the second air passage 62 is formed of a soft member supported by a hard support structure.
The hole 64 is formed as a very fine slit that penetrates the surface of the soft member. When the holes are formed as slits in the soft member, these are usually free of clogging.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are approximately 2000 holes 64 per drainage net 58. The holes 64 are arranged on the discharge net 58 in a substantially balanced manner. The fixed interval between the holes 64 is determined based on the estimated bubble diameter. Inducing bubble coalescence is not desirable.
However, it is desirable to maximize the contact surface between air and water. Therefore, the minimum value of the interval between the holes 64 is usually about 6 mm, which is 20 to 50% larger than the expected bubble diameter. Generally, the hole 64 has a shape that covers most of the discharge net 58. The term “covering” means that there are 3000 holes 64 per square meter.
Even if all the holes 64 are not arranged on a plane perpendicular to the flow path 24, the spacing between the holes 64 predicts the position of the hole 64 on a plane perpendicular to the flow path 24. Assigned by A plurality of openings 66 between the second air passages 62 allow water to pass through the drainage net 58, while the holes 64 located on the second air passages 62 supply air bubbles farther away. The width of each opening 66 is substantially the same as the width of each second ventilation path 62.
Both water and bubbles are knitted to form a uniform mixture and slowly increase its speed toward the outlet. Most of the water flow to the air pump 22 (usually approximately 100%) passes through an opening 66 in the drainage net 58 that is between the majority of the holes 64 (usually approximately 100%).
For maintenance purposes, the drainage net 58 is normally removable and provides easy access to the hole 64 which eliminates the need to remove the entire air pump from the water.

The discharge mechanism 50 includes a water discharge port 68 (FIG. 2) through which water can be quickly discharged from the central air passage 60 and the second air passage 62. When the air pump 22 is inoperable, water entering the discharge mechanism 50 is discharged from the discharge mechanism 50 via the water discharge port 68 when compressed air is reintroduced into the discharge mechanism 50. The compressed air pushes water out of the discharge mechanism 50 until air flows through the hole 64. The outlet is located below the hole 64 so that air does not flow out through the water outlet 68. Keeping the air passage open allows an equal distribution of air through the outlet network 58 that produces bubble flow.
The size and number of the holes 64 are configured to ensure that water is discharged from the vent path without air flowing out through the water outlet 68. The water outlet 68 has a unidirectional valve that only allows water to exit the discharge mechanism 50 via the water outlet 68.
This characteristic is important in order to prevent dirty water from entering the air passage when the air pump 22 is inoperable and when the hole 64 is blocked when the pump resumes operation.
A water outlet 68 extends to the bottom of the aeration tank 14 to ensure equal distribution of air in the system.

The bottom opening 56 is typically located in whole or at least partially below the entire area of the inner sloped bottom surface 30. Therefore, the aeration tank 14 is deeper than the culture layer.
This increased depth allows for efficient operation of the air pump 22. The water channel 52 has a substantially rectangular cross section. The rectangular cross section of the water channel 52 allows for increased water flow in the air pump 22 without extending the length of the water channel 52.
This is a requirement common to conventional circular cross-section air pumps. In addition, the rectangular cross section makes it possible to make use of an empty space. Further, the water channel 52 tapers toward the upper opening 54.
The change in the cross-sectional area from the bottom opening 56 to the top opening 54 allows a gradual increase in the flow rate inside the air pump 22, and in particular prevents loss due to friction at the bottom opening 56.
The bottom opening 56 resists sudden speed changes in the induced water.
The water channel 52 is configured to directly work from the upstream side of the water channel 52 to the flow channel 16 of the culture layer 12 by bending the water channel 52 so that the upper opening 54 contacts the culture layer 12.

Reference is now made to FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the adjustable diaphragm 70. Reference is also made to FIG. Initially, the primary power source of the aeration / recirculation / culture system 10 is compressed air. Thus, effective use of compressed air means that the generated bubbles remain in the water channel 52 as much as possible.
The adjustable throttle 70 is disposed below the water channel 52 and at a location adjacent to the discharge net 58. Therefore, the amount of water mixing can be adjusted. The adjustable aperture 70 is formed as a net having two side support members 72 and a plurality of central extension members 74.
The width and interval of the extension member 74 are configured to match the width and interval of the opening 66 of the discharge net 58 (FIG. 5). The adjustable diaphragm 70 is arranged such that the extending direction of the extending member 74 is horizontal with the extending direction of the opening 66.
Accordingly, the water flow velocity can be controlled via the water channel 52 by the lateral movement of the adjustable throttle 70 with respect to the discharge net 58. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a device having a function similar to the adjustable throttle 70 can be deployed anywhere in the water channel 52.

Reference is now made to FIG. FIG. 7a is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 of an aeration / recirculation aquaculture system 10 constructed and implemented in accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the present invention.
In accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper opening 54 of the water channel 52 is substantially below the water stoppage level in the aquaculture layer 12 as a whole.
The “inactive” state of water is when the aeration / recirculation system 18 is inoperable and there is no “bubble flow” that creates different water surfaces within the aeration / recirculation aquaculture system 10. It is defined as the water surface in the aquaculture layer 12.
In accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air pump 22 does not need to raise the water level above the stop level, which saves energy to increase.
In addition, since the tapered shape of the cross-sectional view of the water channel 52 in FIG. 5 described above is not generally applied here, in the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional view of the water channel 52 does not typically have a tapered shape.
Reference is now made to FIG. FIG. 7b shows the configuration of the aeration tank 14 of the most preferred embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with the most preferred embodiment, the air discharge mechanism 90 is disposed outside the water channel 52 inside the aeration tank 14. The air discharge mechanism 90 is configured to control the water flow velocity in the water channel 52, thereby controlling the amount of water aeration.
The air exhaust mechanism 90 has a main air passage 92, and the main air passage 92 supplies air to the second air passage 94. The second air passage 94 has a plurality of holes (not shown) configured to inject air into the water in the aeration tank 14. Therefore, it creates bubbles that lighten the water and reduces the density of water outside the air pump 22.
The reduction in water density is indicated by arrows 98 and reduces the upward water flow in the air pump 22 created by the discharge network 58 of the air pump 22. Therefore, the water flow speed pumped up by the air pump 22 is reduced by the air discharge mechanism 90. Thus, the air exhaust mechanism 90 performs a function similar to the adjustable throttle 70 (FIG. 6) without the disadvantage of the adjustable throttle 70 being incurred.
The adjustable throttle 70 restricts the water flow by a sudden decrease in the water flow in the cross-sectional area, which causes a loss of energy by locally increasing the water flow velocity.
Furthermore, the air added to the water by the air exhaust mechanism 90 is also used to mix with the water in the air pump 22. Thus, the air exhaust mechanism 90 is a very efficient device for reducing upward flow in the air pump 22. In order to ensure that the water rises in the water channel 52, the mixture of water and air inside the water channel 52 must be lighter than the mixture outside the water channel 52 in the aeration tank 14. Therefore, the number of holes per unit of the air discharge mechanism 90 is smaller than the number of holes per unit of the discharge net 58. This is usually achieved by matching the number of second air passages 94 as well as the spacing of the holes on the second air passages 94. The air discharge mechanism 90 is disposed at the same height as the discharge net 58 inside the aeration tank 14. The air discharge mechanism 90 is supported by a plurality of support legs 100.
The entire air exhaust mechanism 90 is shown to be used even when one or more air pumps 22 can be used.
This is the ratio of the desired density to the water outside the usable air pump 22 so that the water retention time in the usable air pump 22 is independent of the number of air pumps 22 in operation. Make sure to keep air in the air.
In addition, the water in the aeration tank 14 flows down from the upper end of the aeration tank 14 toward the air discharge mechanism 90. This is to prevent water from bypassing the air discharge mechanism 90 by flowing it below the air discharge mechanism 90.
Therefore, the partition plate 102 is disposed inside the aeration tank 14. The upper end of the partition plate 102 is disposed at a position lower than the water level at the stop level inside the aeration tank 14. The inspection tray 33 is arranged so as not to disturb the water flow.
Moreover, even if not all air pumps 22 are usable, the non-moving air pumps 22 need to be closed to prevent backflow of water from the aeration tank 14, which is the flow of water. In this pattern, a shortcut is generated locally.
Accordingly, the upper opening 54 of the water channel 52 includes a hinged flap 104 formed from one or more buoyant members. The hinged flap 104 automatically closes the upper opening 54 when there is no flow from the water channel 52.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the aeration / recirculation aquaculture system 10 taken along the line CC of FIG. Reference is also made to FIG. The bottom layer collector 32 has a collection opening 76 disposed adjacent to the lowest region of the inner sloped bottom surface 30.
During operation, the bottom layer of contaminated water that is flushed through the flow path 16, which has the highest concentration of high density solids in the tank, collects the bottom layer from the aquaculture tank 12 via the collection opening 76. In order to do so, it is transferred to the designed collection container 78.
The collection opening 76 is formed by an opening between the collection container 78 and a collection door 86 attached to the top of the collection container 78 by at least one hinge 88.
The collection door 86 is typically a rectangular plate that substantially compensates for the entire width of the inner inclined bottom surface 30. The collection door 86 is made of a buoyant material in order to keep the collection door 86 open in normal operation. A measuring device (not shown) connects the collection door 86 to keep the size of the collection opening 76.
The height of the collection opening 76 is normally set about 1 cm above the inner inclined bottom surface 30. Thus, the bottom collector 32 operates like a mechanical carpenter's wood plane that cuts a layer of moving material against a tilted wide propeller.
As described above, the collection door 86 is attached to the collection container 78 by a hinge. This can facilitate access to the collection container 78 for inspection and maintenance.
The pump mechanism 80 moves the contents of the collection container 78 to the inspection tray 33 (FIG. 1).
The pump mechanism 80 is removed through the collection opening 76 at a rate sufficient to cause the bottom layer of sewage to flow through the flow path 16. It has been suggested that the pump speed needs to be sufficient to remove the heavy solids present near the bottom of the aquaculture tank 12.
In general, the required pump speed is equal to or higher than the average cross-sectional water flow velocity in the flow path 16 proximate to the bottom layer collector 32 and the velocity due to the area of the collection opening 76.
The pump mechanism 80 operates while using an air pump device including a water channel 82 and an air discharge mechanism 84. The hole portion of the discharge mechanism 84 is disposed at the same position as the hole portion 64 of the discharge net 58, and a single compressed air can be used.
Thus, a single compressor acts on an array of aeration / recirculation aquaculture system 10 and a single aeration / recirculation aquaculture system 10 equipped with a single engine.
The collection vessel 78 typically has a slope of at least 40% relative to the bottom surface and is configured to collect solids near the inlet of the pump mechanism 80.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and the matters described. Rather, the scope of the invention includes both various combinations and subcombinations of features described herein, such as changes and modifications.
Thereby, upon reading the above description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it differs from the prior art.

1 is a plan view of an aeration recirculation aquaculture system constructed and operated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the AA line of the aeration mixing recirculation culture system of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the BB line of the aeration mixing recirculation culture system of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an aeration recirculation aquaculture system constructed and operated in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of a discharge mechanism used with the aeration recirculation aquaculture system of FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view of an adjustable throttle used with the aeration recirculation aquaculture system of FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aeration recirculation aquaculture system of FIG. 1 constructed and operated in accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7b is a plan view of the aeration tank in the most preferred embodiment of FIG. 7a. It is sectional drawing of CC line of the aeration mixing recirculation culture system of FIG.

Claims (25)

(A) a first flow path and a culture tank in which aquatic organisms are grown;
(B) It comprises an aeration / circulation system that generates aeration water and includes an aeration device that defines the second flow path,
The first flow path and the second flow path at least partially define a closed flow path communicating with the aquaculture tank and the aeration apparatus;
The aeration / recirculation aquaculture system, wherein the aeration / circulation system circulates the aeration water around the closed channel. The aeration apparatus includes an air pump including a discharge mechanism and a water channel,
The water channel comprises a top opening and a bottom opening;
The discharge mechanism injects air into the water and has a plurality of holes for forming a plurality of bubbles in the water channel, and the holes cover most of the discharge mechanism,
The discharge mechanism comprises at least one opening, the opening allowing passage of water in the discharge mechanism;
The system according to claim 1, wherein most of the water flowing in the second flow path passes through the discharge mechanism between a plurality of formed holes.   3. The system of claim 2, wherein the water channel causes fluid motion directly from the upward flow of water in the water channel into the first flow path of the aquaculture tank. (A) the aquaculture tank has an inner bottom surface;
(B) The system according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the bottom opening of the water channel is disposed below an arbitrary portion of the inner bottom surface.   The system according to claim 2, wherein the water channel has a substantially rectangular cross section.   The system according to claim 2, wherein the water channel narrows in a tapered shape toward the upper opening.   The system according to claim 2, wherein the hole portions are disposed between the discharge mechanisms with a space at substantially equal intervals. The air pump comprises an adjustable throttle for adjusting the flow rate of water flowing in the water channel;
The system according to claim 2, wherein an amount of air mixed in the water is adjustable. The air pump includes a discharge mechanism disposed outside the water channel;
The discharge mechanism adjusts the flow rate of water flowing in the water channel,
The system according to claim 2, wherein an amount of air mixed in the water is adjustable.   The system according to claim 2, wherein the upper opening is disposed substantially entirely below a static water level in the aquaculture tank.   The aquaculture tank has a first inclined inner bottom surface adjacent to an upper opening of the water channel and a second inclined inner bottom surface, and the first inclined inner bottom surface is steeper than the second inclined inner bottom surface. The system according to claim 2. A separation mechanism disposed between the aquaculture device and the aeration apparatus at the substantially end of the first flow path;
The system according to claim 1, wherein the separation mechanism filters water discharged from the aquaculture tank in order to prevent clogging of the aeration apparatus. Further comprising a bottom collector with a collection opening;
The aquaculture tank has an inner bottom surface;
The collection opening is disposed adjacent to the inner bottom surface;
The system according to claim 1, wherein a bottom layer of sewage flowing through the first flow path is removed from the aquaculture tank through the collection opening. (A) the bottom collector comprises a collection container for collecting the bottom layer;
(B) The bottom collector has a pump mechanism for removing the bottom layer from the collection container, and the pump mechanism has a suction force sufficient to remove the bottom layer from the first flow path through the collection opening. 14. The system of claim 13, comprising:   The system of claim 14, wherein the collection container has a bottom surface that is at least partially inclined to cause solidification for collection in the vicinity of the pump mechanism.   15. The system of claim 14, wherein the pump mechanism is operated using an air pump device. (A) a water channel having a top opening and a bottom opening, and defining a flow path from the bottom opening to the top opening;
(B) It is possible to inject air into the water, and comprises a discharge mechanism having a plurality of holes for generating a plurality of bubbles in the water channel,
The hole covers substantially the entire discharge mechanism,
The drainage mechanism comprises at least one opening, which allows the flow of water in the drainage mechanism;
The air pump system characterized in that most of the water flow in the first water passage passes through a discharge mechanism between the multiple holes.   The system of claim 17, wherein the water channel has a substantially rectangular cross section.   The system of claim 17, wherein the channel narrows in a tapered manner toward the upper opening.   The system according to claim 17, wherein the holes are disposed with a space between the discharge mechanisms at substantially equal intervals. An adjustable throttle for adjusting the flow rate of water flowing in the water channel,
The system according to claim 17, wherein the amount of air mixed in the water is adjustable. A discharge mechanism disposed outside the water channel,
The discharge mechanism adjusts the flow rate of water flowing in the water channel,
The system according to claim 17, wherein an amount of air mixed in the water is adjustable. A cleaning system for cleaning a sewage in a tank provided with a water flow in a defined flow path and having an inner bottom surface,
(A) a collection opening disposed adjacent to the inner bottom surface of the tank and removing a bottom layer of sewage flowing through the tank;
(B) a collection container for collecting the bottom layer;
(C) Cleaning comprising a pump mechanism having a pump with a capacity sufficient to remove the bottom layer from the collection container and to be removed from the tank through the collection opening. system.   24. The system of claim 23, wherein the collection container has a bottom surface that is at least partially inclined to cause solidification for collection near the pump mechanism. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the pump mechanism is operated using an air pump device.

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