WO2019073219A1 - Water treatment apparatus for aquaculture and method - Google Patents

Water treatment apparatus for aquaculture and method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019073219A1
WO2019073219A1 PCT/GB2018/052887 GB2018052887W WO2019073219A1 WO 2019073219 A1 WO2019073219 A1 WO 2019073219A1 GB 2018052887 W GB2018052887 W GB 2018052887W WO 2019073219 A1 WO2019073219 A1 WO 2019073219A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
barrier
fibres
filter media
elongate
framework
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2018/052887
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Arthur Deacey Stewart
Original Assignee
Energy Oil Products Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Energy Oil Products Ltd. filed Critical Energy Oil Products Ltd.
Publication of WO2019073219A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019073219A1/en

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01KANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K61/00Culture of aquatic animals
    • A01K61/10Culture of aquatic animals of fish
    • A01K61/13Prevention or treatment of fish diseases
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01KANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K61/00Culture of aquatic animals
    • A01K61/60Floating cultivation devices, e.g. rafts or floating fish-farms
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/80Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
    • Y02A40/81Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatus and methods pest control, especially in the field of aquaculture.
  • Aquaculture is not without its drawback however, and grown in pens in tidal waters such as fjords, firths, deltas, estuaries and the like, may be subjected to
  • Infection may lead to pens being wiped out because of their effect on the fish contained therein, and subsequent loss both financially and to the environment in terms of carbon dioxide emission or energy investment.
  • a method for water treatment for aquaculture comprising the steps of surrounding a volume of water with a barrier, the barrier including filter media, the filter media comprising elongate fibres.
  • the elongate fibres may be interwoven.
  • interwoven it will be understood by the skilled addressee that this shall include material not only which has been woven into fabric, but also that which has been braided or twisted into rope, or formed into a tassel or so forth.
  • the elongate fibres may be a hydrophilic fibre.
  • the elongate fibres may be a natural fibre.
  • the elongate fibres may be cotton.
  • the elongate fibres may be wool, or other fibres obtained from animal sources.
  • the method may further comprise the introduction of a treatment gas at, within or adjacent a lower portion of the filter media.
  • the treatment gas should flow up through the filter media by virtue of gas buoyancy, treating the filter media, and providing a chemical barrier in addition to a physical barrier.
  • the treatment gas may be ozone.
  • the method may further include treating the treatment gas and/or filter material with UV light.
  • apparatus for water treatment for aquaculture comprising a barrier, the barrier including one or more filter media mounts and a section of filter media, the filter media comprising elongate fibres.
  • the elongate fibres may be interwoven.
  • interwoven it will be understood by the skilled addressee that this shall include material not only which has been woven into fabric, but also that which has been braided or twisted into rope, or formed into a tassel or so forth .
  • the elongate fibres may be a hydrophilic fibre.
  • the elongate fibres may be a natural fibre.
  • the elongate fibres may be cotton.
  • the elongate fibres may be wool, or other fibres obtained from animal sources.
  • the apparatus may include a framework and the mounts may be provided on the framework.
  • the apparatus may include an electrified barrier.
  • the electrified barrier may be a mesh or grid.
  • the electrified barrier may be provided within the
  • the framework may comprise an arrangement of horizontal spars and vertical stanchions.
  • the framework may comprise a three dimensional arrangement of such stanchions and spars.
  • the framework may be formed into a polygonal shape.
  • the plane formed by any vertical intersection of the polygon so formed will be generally perpendicular to the general plane of the elongate fibres.
  • the barrier may form a large enough polygon shape to encircle an aquaculture pen.
  • the stanchions and/or the spars may be hollow and formed from a lightweight material such as plastic. This should aid buoyancy of the structure and counteract the weight of the filter material, although additional floats and ties may be provided to ensure the barrier is maintained at a certain position relative to the aquaculture pen it surrounds, within tolerable limits.
  • the stanchions and/or spars may be formed from any other suitable material.
  • the stanchions and/or spars many be formed from stainless steel . Additional buoyancy devices may be provided.
  • the stanchions and spars may form a contiguous or semi- contiguous interior chamber.
  • the stanchions may be open at their upper portions.
  • This relative term is simply indicative of the orientation of the stanchion when the barrier is orientated in a use position.
  • the opening of the upper stanchion may be sufficient to introduce an additive into the interior of the stanchion.
  • the additive may be in tablet, pellet or powder form.
  • the additive may be in the form of an elongate tablet.
  • the lower portion of the stanchion may include a reaction chamber section.
  • the reaction chamber section may allow ingress of a controlled amount of water to allow the additive to react with water to form a gas.
  • the gas so formed may be ozone.
  • the reaction of the additive with the water may decrease the pH level of the water i.e. slightly acidifying the water.
  • Treatment gas may be introduced into the interior chamber, filter media or manifold via an alternative gas source, such as an ozone generator.
  • the stanchions may be interconnected by an exhaust manifold arrangement.
  • This may be in the form of a connecting tube or spar, which may connect to the stanchions at, adjacent or near the reaction chamber section (s) .
  • the exhaust manifold or connecting spar/tube may be
  • the exhaust manifold or connecting spar/tube may have one or more orifices positioned along its surface
  • the orifices may be on the upper surface and located within the locus of the filter material.
  • the gas created by the addition of the additive will flow out and into the filter material.
  • the gas may then aid disinfection of the filter material.
  • one or more ozone generators may be provided.
  • a wind turbine may be provided to generate electricity.
  • FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment fish farming barrier according to the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the fish farming barrier of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fish farming barrier of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 4 is a part-sectional elevation of a stanchion of the barrier of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a framework section of a second embodiment fish farming barrier according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a stanchion of a fish farming barrier of a second embodiment fish farming barrier according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 7 is a plan view of a third embodiment fish farming barrier according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a front elevation, with some details views of the barrier of Fig. 7;
  • Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the barrier of Fig. 7;
  • Fig. 10 is a schematic view of an ozone module of the barrier of Fig. 7.
  • the fish farming barrier 10 is intended to be disposed in water such as in the sea, lakes, lochs, fjords, fords and so forth; and, in use, to be positioned around a fish farming pen (not shown) to provide a limited barrier between the open water and the pen .
  • the fish farming barrier 10 comprises a framework 12.
  • the framework 12 is made from a suitable material considering its intended use submerged within water.
  • an interlocking framework 12 of nylon pipe sections 14, similar to that employed in gas pipelines, is provided.
  • the hollow framework 12 provides a degree of buoyancy when placed in water.
  • the framework 12 comprises a plurality of nylon pipe sections, arranged into vertical stanchions 16 and
  • nylon pipe sections used are 150mm diameter in the present embodiment, but the skilled addressee will
  • stanchions 16 and spars 18 may vary in particular embodiments and to what shape the barrier is required to be, but in the present embodiment there are provided six stanchions 16 and eighteen spars 18 forming, when viewed from above, a generally hexagonal barrier shape with three spars 18 being interconnected to successive stanchions 16 (see Figs 2 & 3) .
  • a plurality of bracing members 19 connect between the three spars 18 (See Fig. 3) to improve structural rigidity.
  • the bracing members 19 may be formed of any suitable material, such as a stainless steel .
  • Three cotton rope curtains 20a, 20b, 20c are suspended around the framework 12, hanging from the spars 18 and forming a primary physical barrier around the framework 12. These may be considered an outer curtain 20a, an intermediate curtain 20b and an inner curtain 20c.
  • the curtains 20a, 20b, 20c comprise a plurality of natural fibres, loosely interwoven to form a dense filter. Water and dissolved gasses may move through the curtains
  • the curtains 20a, 20b, 20c are suspended over mounts 22, which in this case is simply the upper surface of the spars 18.
  • the curtains 20a, 20b, 20c form a filter material 21 for the barrier 10.
  • the stanchions 16 are provided with an open upper portion orifice 16a, with a simple hinged lid 16b being employed to selectively open and cover it.
  • a reaction chamber 24 is included within the lower portion 16c of the stanchion 16.
  • a plurality of perforations 16d are provided in the material of the stanchion 16 adjacent the reaction chamber 24. The perforations 16d allow a selective amount of water to pass into the reaction chamber 24.
  • An elongate additive tablet 26 may be introduced into the stanchion 16 via the open upper portion orifice 16a.
  • This elongate additive tablet 26 is formed from a suitable material which will effervesce on contact with the water allowed into the reaction chamber 24, creating a treatment gas 26, the treatment gas being in the present embodiment ozone .
  • the treatment gas is free to move around within the hollow framework 12.
  • a manifold 28 branches off from each horizontal spar 16, being formed from a similar material and also being hollow.
  • the manifold 28 comprises a generally U-shaped member suspended below the spars 18, the manifold 28 comprising two vertical manifold branches 30 extending downwardly from the spars 16 at a set distance.
  • a manifold pipe 32
  • Three manifold outlets 34 extend upwardly from the manifold pipe 32 and allow fluid to flow out of the manifold pipe 32.
  • the manifold 28 is largely located within the locus of the curtains 20a, 20b, 20c.
  • the treatment gas flows from the reaction chamber 24 through the hollow framework 12, into the manifold 28 and out of the manifold outlets 34 through into the locus of the curtains 20a, 20b, 20c.
  • the treatment gas therefore may be applied to anything caught within the curtains 20a, 20b, 20c, such as lice, larvae and eggs.
  • FIG. 5 A second embodiment framework section is shown in Fig. 5.
  • This second embodiment employs a similar numbering scheme as to the first embodiment depicted in Figs 1 to 4, albeit prefixed with a "1" such that framework 112 corresponds with framework 12.
  • framework 112 corresponds with framework 12.
  • Similarly functioning technical integers of the second embodiment will function largely as their first embodiment analogues except as subsequently described.
  • the U-shaped manifold 28 is replaced with a simpler manifold pipe 132, which extends from reaction chamber 124 on adjacent stanchions 116.
  • a simpler manifold pipe 132 which extends from reaction chamber 124 on adjacent stanchions 116.
  • the barrier 10,110 forms a polygonal three-dimensional structure, which is positioned surrounding an aquaculture pen in an appropriate body of water, such as a lake or a fjord.
  • the barrier 10,110 may be positioned with anchor lines, floats, etc or any suitable apparatus.
  • the barrier 10,110 should ideally be of a height and therefore displace to a depth sufficient to optimise the filtration purpose, i.e. to span the depth of the stratum which may contain the majority of the parasites, such as lice, and so forth to mitigate the impact on the enclosed pen .
  • elongate additive tablet 26,126 may be introduced into the stanchion 16,116 via the open upper portion orifice 16a, 116a.
  • the elongate additive tablet 26 will effervesce on contact with the water allowed into the reaction chamber 24,124 creating a treatment gas 26, the treatment gas being in the present embodiment, ozone.
  • Fig. 6 depicts a float mechanism 140 of the second
  • the float mechanism 140 further comprises a float stanchion 144, surrounded by a float flange 146, to which attach one or more float bladders 148 and a float lid 150, to prevent ingress of waste materials into the
  • the flexible pipeline 142 may have a jubilee clip or other similar arrangement to enable
  • the ozone flows into the filter media 21,121 creating a chemical treatment zone within the filter media 21,121 complementing the physical barrier which traps the lice.
  • the lice, eggs and larvae are destroyed upon exposure, mitigating the exposure of the pen to such parasites.
  • FIG. 7 to 10 A third embodiment barrier and framework section are shown in Figs. 7 to 10.
  • This third embodiment employs a similar numbering scheme as to the first and second embodiment depicted in Figs 1 to 6, albeit prefixed with a "2" such that framework 212 corresponds with framework 12.
  • An electrically conducting grid 213 is provided within the general plane of the barrier 210.
  • the grid 213 in the present embodiment is formed from a suitable conductor, specifically a metal and more specifically a suitable steel, which may even be a stainless steel to mitigate corrosion caused by its immersion in water, which may be brackish, or salty. It will be appreciated that other suitable conducting materials may be used for the grid 213.
  • the grid 213 spans the framework and provides a physical barrier to fish contained within the apparatus.
  • Electric current is supplied from a wind generator module 215.
  • the wind generator module 215 comprises a vertical axis wind turbine 217 mounted upon a stanchion 216.
  • the current is supplied at 24V.
  • electrical storage apparatus may be provided, such as batteries or capacitors, to enable electrical energy to be stored for later use, although it will be appreciated that in most cases the wind generator will work nearly constantly because of its use offshore.
  • the electrical current in the grid 213 and the electrical field which forms around it is enough to kill lice which come into contact with it.
  • the curtains 220a, 22 Ob, 220c are mounted upon and span two brackets 223. Two arms 225 mount the brackets 223 to the stanchion 218.
  • the curtains 220a, 22 Ob, 220c are mounted on curtain mounts 222, which are separate elements in the present embodiment, rather than simply being the spars 218.
  • Two elongate slots 223a are provided on the brackets 223 and in these either end of the curtain mounts 222 are mounted.
  • the slots 223a enable the curtains 220a, 22 Ob, 220c to move laterally in response to the tide or current.
  • a separate ozone generator module 227 is provided.
  • the ozone generator module 227 comprises an ozone generator 227a which feeds ozone into a first ozone conduit 227b.
  • the ozone conduit 227b is a simple pipe structure. Water from the surrounding environment may be fed into the ozone conduit 227b and mixed with the ozone gas.
  • Ultra-violet light sources (not shown) are provided within the first ozone conduit 227b and expose the ozone gas or the ozone gas/water mixture to UV, for the purposes
  • a mixing chamber 227c received the ozone gas or ozone gas/water mixture.
  • the mixing chamber 227c has an simple right angle pipe 227d at its lowermost edge to allow ingress of surrounding water W.
  • An impeller pump 227e is located within the mixing chamber 227c.
  • An electric motor 227f power the impeller pump 227e, which has power supplied by the wind generator module 215.
  • the impeller pump 227e mixes the ozone gas or ozone
  • the frame 212 are approximately 6m in width and the curtains 220a, 22 Ob, 220c and mounts 222 are approximately 7m in width. It will be appreciated
  • aquaculture fish can render the product unusable, thereby wasting the energy and food carbon costs of the cultivation of the affected stocks.
  • treatment gas may be introduced as a gas into the barrier, for example from an ozone generator.
  • Further treatment processes may be applied to or adjacent the physical and/or chemical barrier to further mitigate parasitical infestation across the barrier, such as UV treatment .
  • the UV treatment may cause the ozone and water combination to form into a bleach type fluid to create a further treatment, as well as what mitigation may be caused by the UV light damaging the lice etc.
  • the barriers and/or other components may be made from a metallic material, ideally one that resists corrosion, such as stainless steel. Additional buoyancy devices may be provided to enable the framework to be maintained in a particular position. It will be appreciated that individual unique features of the three described embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

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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)
  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Water By Oxidation Or Reduction (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods of pest control, especially in the field of aquaculture. The method comprises the steps of surrounding a volume of water with a barrier (10), the barrier including filter media (21, 121), the filter media comprising elongate fibres. Treatment gas, such as ozone, may be used to enhance the pest control. The corresponding apparatus comprises a barrier, the barrier including one or more filter media mounts (22, 222) and a section of filter media, the filter media comprising elongate fibres.

Description

WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS FOR AQUACULTURE AND
METHOD
Description
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods pest control, especially in the field of aquaculture.
Background to the Invention
Fish are an increasingly useful source of low carbon emitting protein. When aquaculture is compared to other forms of protein production, particularly ruminant-derived proteins .
Whilst wild caught fish may be superior in subjective flavour, aquaculture is necessary to meet global demand for fish-derived protein of an ever-increasing population.
Aquaculture is not without its drawback however, and grown in pens in tidal waters such as fjords, firths, deltas, estuaries and the like, may be subjected to
contamination by sea lice and other parasites.
Infection may lead to pens being wiped out because of their effect on the fish contained therein, and subsequent loss both financially and to the environment in terms of carbon dioxide emission or energy investment.
Prior art solutions have attempted to surround pens with an impermeable or semi-impermeable material, such as tarpaulin, but this restricts the oxygen in the enclosed water and can therefore have an obvious detrimental effect on the enclosed fish.
Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for water treatment for aquaculture comprising the steps of surrounding a volume of water with a barrier, the barrier including filter media, the filter media comprising elongate fibres.
The elongate fibres may be interwoven.
By "interwoven" it will be understood by the skilled addressee that this shall include material not only which has been woven into fabric, but also that which has been braided or twisted into rope, or formed into a tassel or so forth.
The elongate fibres may be a hydrophilic fibre. The elongate fibres may be a natural fibre.
The elongate fibres may be cotton.
The elongate fibres may be wool, or other fibres obtained from animal sources.
The method may further comprise the introduction of a treatment gas at, within or adjacent a lower portion of the filter media.
The treatment gas should flow up through the filter media by virtue of gas buoyancy, treating the filter media, and providing a chemical barrier in addition to a physical barrier. The treatment gas may be ozone.
The method may further include treating the treatment gas and/or filter material with UV light.
With ozone gas, the UV causes the ozone gas to turn into a bleach solution, providing a further chemical barrier. According to second aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for water treatment for aquaculture comprising a barrier, the barrier including one or more filter media mounts and a section of filter media, the filter media comprising elongate fibres.
The elongate fibres may be interwoven.
By "interwoven" it will be understood by the skilled addressee that this shall include material not only which has been woven into fabric, but also that which has been braided or twisted into rope, or formed into a tassel or so forth .
The elongate fibres may be a hydrophilic fibre.
The elongate fibres may be a natural fibre. The elongate fibres may be cotton.
The elongate fibres may be wool, or other fibres obtained from animal sources.
The apparatus may include a framework and the mounts may be provided on the framework.
The apparatus may include an electrified barrier.
The electrified barrier may be a mesh or grid.
The electrified barrier may be provided within the
framework .
The framework may comprise an arrangement of horizontal spars and vertical stanchions.
It will be understood that "vertical" and "horizontal" are not to be taken as limiting and merely indicative of the usual or intended rest position of the components. This holds true for all mentions of such relevant terms, and similarly to related terms such as "upper", "lower", etc.
The framework may comprise a three dimensional arrangement of such stanchions and spars.
The framework may be formed into a polygonal shape.
By forming a polygonal shape it will be understood that this is from a plan or perspective view from above the framework .
The plane formed by any vertical intersection of the polygon so formed will be generally perpendicular to the general plane of the elongate fibres.
In use, the barrier may form a large enough polygon shape to encircle an aquaculture pen.
The stanchions and/or the spars may be hollow and formed from a lightweight material such as plastic. This should aid buoyancy of the structure and counteract the weight of the filter material, although additional floats and ties may be provided to ensure the barrier is maintained at a certain position relative to the aquaculture pen it surrounds, within tolerable limits.
Alternatively, the stanchions and/or spars may be formed from any other suitable material.
The stanchions and/or spars many be formed from stainless steel . Additional buoyancy devices may be provided.
The stanchions and spars may form a contiguous or semi- contiguous interior chamber. The stanchions may be open at their upper portions. By upper it will be appreciated that this relative term is simply indicative of the orientation of the stanchion when the barrier is orientated in a use position. The opening of the upper stanchion may be sufficient to introduce an additive into the interior of the stanchion.
The additive may be in tablet, pellet or powder form. The additive may be in the form of an elongate tablet.
The lower portion of the stanchion may include a reaction chamber section. The reaction chamber section may allow ingress of a controlled amount of water to allow the additive to react with water to form a gas.
The gas so formed may be ozone. The reaction of the additive with the water may decrease the pH level of the water i.e. slightly acidifying the water.
Treatment gas may be introduced into the interior chamber, filter media or manifold via an alternative gas source, such as an ozone generator.
The stanchions may be interconnected by an exhaust manifold arrangement. This may be in the form of a connecting tube or spar, which may connect to the stanchions at, adjacent or near the reaction chamber section (s) . The exhaust manifold or connecting spar/tube may be
positioned near, adjacent or within the locus of the body of the filter material. The exhaust manifold or connecting spar/tube may have one or more orifices positioned along its surface,
communicating between its hollow interior and exterior.
The orifices may be on the upper surface and located within the locus of the filter material.
That way, the gas created by the addition of the additive, will flow out and into the filter material. The gas may then aid disinfection of the filter material.
There may be a plurality of such orifices provided along the length of the manifold or spar.
As an alternative to the additive reaction described above, one or more ozone generators may be provided.
A wind turbine may be provided to generate electricity.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment fish farming barrier according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the fish farming barrier of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fish farming barrier of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 4 is a part-sectional elevation of a stanchion of the barrier of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a framework section of a second embodiment fish farming barrier according to the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a stanchion of a fish farming barrier of a second embodiment fish farming barrier according to the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a plan view of a third embodiment fish farming barrier according to the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a front elevation, with some details views of the barrier of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the barrier of Fig. 7; and
Fig. 10 is a schematic view of an ozone module of the barrier of Fig. 7. Referring to the drawings and initially to Fig. 1, a first embodiment fish farming barrier apparatus generally referred to as 10 is depicted. The fish farming barrier 10 is intended to be disposed in water such as in the sea, lakes, lochs, fjords, fords and so forth; and, in use, to be positioned around a fish farming pen (not shown) to provide a limited barrier between the open water and the pen .
The fish farming barrier 10 comprises a framework 12. The framework 12 is made from a suitable material considering its intended use submerged within water. In the present embodiment, an interlocking framework 12 of nylon pipe sections 14, similar to that employed in gas pipelines, is provided. The hollow framework 12 provides a degree of buoyancy when placed in water.
The framework 12 comprises a plurality of nylon pipe sections, arranged into vertical stanchions 16 and
horizontal spars 18. It will be understood that "vertical" and "horizontal" are not to be taken as limiting and merely indicative of the usual or intended rest position of the components .
The nylon pipe sections used are 150mm diameter in the present embodiment, but the skilled addressee will
appreciate that alternative sizes are possible.
The exact number of stanchions 16 and spars 18 may vary in particular embodiments and to what shape the barrier is required to be, but in the present embodiment there are provided six stanchions 16 and eighteen spars 18 forming, when viewed from above, a generally hexagonal barrier shape with three spars 18 being interconnected to successive stanchions 16 (see Figs 2 & 3) . A plurality of bracing members 19 connect between the three spars 18 (See Fig. 3) to improve structural rigidity. The bracing members 19 may be formed of any suitable material, such as a stainless steel .
Three cotton rope curtains 20a, 20b, 20c are suspended around the framework 12, hanging from the spars 18 and forming a primary physical barrier around the framework 12. These may be considered an outer curtain 20a, an intermediate curtain 20b and an inner curtain 20c.
The curtains 20a, 20b, 20c comprise a plurality of natural fibres, loosely interwoven to form a dense filter. Water and dissolved gasses may move through the curtains
20a, 20b, 20c, but larger material in the water, especially fish lice, their eggs and their larval stage, will be caught up in the filter material and prevented from flowing across the barrier 10.
The curtains 20a, 20b, 20c are suspended over mounts 22, which in this case is simply the upper surface of the spars 18. The curtains 20a, 20b, 20c form a filter material 21 for the barrier 10.
Turning to Fig. 4, the stanchions 16 are provided with an open upper portion orifice 16a, with a simple hinged lid 16b being employed to selectively open and cover it.
A reaction chamber 24 is included within the lower portion 16c of the stanchion 16. A plurality of perforations 16d are provided in the material of the stanchion 16 adjacent the reaction chamber 24. The perforations 16d allow a selective amount of water to pass into the reaction chamber 24.
An elongate additive tablet 26 may be introduced into the stanchion 16 via the open upper portion orifice 16a. This elongate additive tablet 26 is formed from a suitable material which will effervesce on contact with the water allowed into the reaction chamber 24, creating a treatment gas 26, the treatment gas being in the present embodiment ozone . The treatment gas is free to move around within the hollow framework 12.
A manifold 28 branches off from each horizontal spar 16, being formed from a similar material and also being hollow. The manifold 28 comprises a generally U-shaped member suspended below the spars 18, the manifold 28 comprising two vertical manifold branches 30 extending downwardly from the spars 16 at a set distance. A manifold pipe 32
connects the two vertical branches 30 creating a contiguous fluid pipeline.
Three manifold outlets 34 extend upwardly from the manifold pipe 32 and allow fluid to flow out of the manifold pipe 32. The manifold 28 is largely located within the locus of the curtains 20a, 20b, 20c. In use, the treatment gas flows from the reaction chamber 24 through the hollow framework 12, into the manifold 28 and out of the manifold outlets 34 through into the locus of the curtains 20a, 20b, 20c. The treatment gas therefore may be applied to anything caught within the curtains 20a, 20b, 20c, such as lice, larvae and eggs.
A second embodiment framework section is shown in Fig. 5. This second embodiment employs a similar numbering scheme as to the first embodiment depicted in Figs 1 to 4, albeit prefixed with a "1" such that framework 112 corresponds with framework 12. Similarly functioning technical integers of the second embodiment will function largely as their first embodiment analogues except as subsequently described.
In this embodiment, the U-shaped manifold 28 is replaced with a simpler manifold pipe 132, which extends from reaction chamber 124 on adjacent stanchions 116. Thus, there is a shorter fluid pathway for the treatment gas to go from reaction chamber 124, out of the manifold outlets 134 and into the locus of the curtains (omitted from view in Fig. 5 for clarity) . In either embodiment, in use the barrier 10,110 forms a polygonal three-dimensional structure, which is positioned surrounding an aquaculture pen in an appropriate body of water, such as a lake or a fjord. The barrier 10,110 may be positioned with anchor lines, floats, etc or any suitable apparatus. The barrier 10,110 should ideally be of a height and therefore displace to a depth sufficient to optimise the filtration purpose, i.e. to span the depth of the stratum which may contain the majority of the parasites, such as lice, and so forth to mitigate the impact on the enclosed pen .
As water flows across the barrier 10, lice, eggs and larvae are caught within the filter media 21.
Periodically, elongate additive tablet 26,126 may be introduced into the stanchion 16,116 via the open upper portion orifice 16a, 116a. The elongate additive tablet 26 will effervesce on contact with the water allowed into the reaction chamber 24,124 creating a treatment gas 26, the treatment gas being in the present embodiment, ozone.
Fig. 6 depicts a float mechanism 140 of the second
embodiment. This allows for the barrier 110 to be
submerged below the surface of the water, but still allows for a pipeline 142 to attach to the open upper portion orifice 116a, such that treatment gas or additives may be introduced into the stanchions 116 by a user above the water's surface. The float mechanism 140 further comprises a float stanchion 144, surrounded by a float flange 146, to which attach one or more float bladders 148 and a float lid 150, to prevent ingress of waste materials into the
float/barrier. The flexible pipeline 142 may have a jubilee clip or other similar arrangement to enable
watertight connection to the stanchions 116. The ozone flows into the filter media 21,121 creating a chemical treatment zone within the filter media 21,121 complementing the physical barrier which traps the lice. The lice, eggs and larvae are destroyed upon exposure, mitigating the exposure of the pen to such parasites.
A third embodiment barrier and framework section are shown in Figs. 7 to 10. This third embodiment employs a similar numbering scheme as to the first and second embodiment depicted in Figs 1 to 6, albeit prefixed with a "2" such that framework 212 corresponds with framework 12.
Similarly functioning technical integers of the second embodiment will function largely as their first embodiment analogues except as subsequently described.
An electrically conducting grid 213 is provided within the general plane of the barrier 210. The grid 213 in the present embodiment is formed from a suitable conductor, specifically a metal and more specifically a suitable steel, which may even be a stainless steel to mitigate corrosion caused by its immersion in water, which may be brackish, or salty. It will be appreciated that other suitable conducting materials may be used for the grid 213. The grid 213 spans the framework and provides a physical barrier to fish contained within the apparatus.
Electric current is supplied from a wind generator module 215. The wind generator module 215 comprises a vertical axis wind turbine 217 mounted upon a stanchion 216. In the present embodiment, the current is supplied at 24V. It will be appreciated that electrical storage apparatus may be provided, such as batteries or capacitors, to enable electrical energy to be stored for later use, although it will be appreciated that in most cases the wind generator will work nearly constantly because of its use offshore.
This is enough to cause discomfort to the fish if they contact the grid, or indeed the electrical field may be sensed by the fish which causes them to stay out of contact with it; but importantly is not enough to harm the fish.
The electrical current in the grid 213 and the electrical field which forms around it is enough to kill lice which come into contact with it.
The curtains 220a, 22 Ob, 220c are mounted upon and span two brackets 223. Two arms 225 mount the brackets 223 to the stanchion 218. The curtains 220a, 22 Ob, 220c are mounted on curtain mounts 222, which are separate elements in the present embodiment, rather than simply being the spars 218.
Two elongate slots 223a are provided on the brackets 223 and in these either end of the curtain mounts 222 are mounted. The slots 223a enable the curtains 220a, 22 Ob, 220c to move laterally in response to the tide or current.
A separate ozone generator module 227 is provided. The ozone generator module 227 comprises an ozone generator 227a which feeds ozone into a first ozone conduit 227b. The ozone conduit 227b is a simple pipe structure. Water from the surrounding environment may be fed into the ozone conduit 227b and mixed with the ozone gas. Ultra-violet light sources (not shown) are provided within the first ozone conduit 227b and expose the ozone gas or the ozone gas/water mixture to UV, for the purposes
described above. A mixing chamber 227c received the ozone gas or ozone gas/water mixture. The mixing chamber 227c has an simple right angle pipe 227d at its lowermost edge to allow ingress of surrounding water W. An impeller pump 227e is located within the mixing chamber 227c. An electric motor 227f power the impeller pump 227e, which has power supplied by the wind generator module 215.
The impeller pump 227e mixes the ozone gas or ozone
gas/water mixture with the water W and forces it along a second fluid conduit 227f (again being a simple pipe) which feeds into the stanchion 216, into the manifold pipe 232 and out the manifold outlets 234. In the third embodiment, the frame 212 are approximately 6m in width and the curtains 220a, 22 Ob, 220c and mounts 222 are approximately 7m in width. It will be appreciated
(especially in relation to Fig. 7) that the width of each polygon side increases as the distance from the centre increases, and these dimensions allow a continuous barrier structure to be created around the fish pen. Use of the described apparatus creates savings in carbon costs and so forth, given that an infestation of
aquaculture fish can render the product unusable, thereby wasting the energy and food carbon costs of the cultivation of the affected stocks.
The skilled addressee will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, but may be modified in construction and/or detail.
For example, instead of an additive being added to react with water, treatment gas may be introduced as a gas into the barrier, for example from an ozone generator.
Further treatment processes may be applied to or adjacent the physical and/or chemical barrier to further mitigate parasitical infestation across the barrier, such as UV treatment .
The UV treatment may cause the ozone and water combination to form into a bleach type fluid to create a further treatment, as well as what mitigation may be caused by the UV light damaging the lice etc.
The barriers and/or other components may be made from a metallic material, ideally one that resists corrosion, such as stainless steel. Additional buoyancy devices may be provided to enable the framework to be maintained in a particular position. It will be appreciated that individual unique features of the three described embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims
1. A method for water treatment for aquaculture
comprising the steps of surrounding a volume of water with a barrier, the barrier including filter media, the filter media comprising elongate fibres.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the elongate fibres are interwoven .
3. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the elongate fibres are hydrophilic fibres.
4. The method of any preceding claim wherein the elongate fibres are natural fibres.
5. The method of any preceding claim wherein the elongate fibres are cotton and/or wool.
6. The method of any preceding claim further including the step of introducing of a treatment gas at, within or adjacent a lower portion of the filter media.
7. The method of claim 6 any preceding claim further including the step of treating the treatment gas and/or filter material with UV light.
8. Apparatus for water treatment for aquaculture
comprising a barrier, the barrier including one or more filter media mounts and a section of filter media, the filter media comprising elongate fibres.
9. Apparatus of claim 8 wherein the elongate fibres are interwoven .
10. Apparatus of claims 8 or 9 wherein the elongate fibres are a hydrophilic fibre.
11. Apparatus of claims 8 to 10 wherein the elongate fibres are natural fibres.
12. Apparatus of claims 8 to 11 wherein the elongate fibres are cotton.
13. Apparatus of claims 8 to 12 wherein the elongate fibres are wool, or other fibres obtained from animal sources .
14. Apparatus of claims 8 to 13 wherein the apparatus includes a framework and the mounts may be provided on the framework.
15. Apparatus of claims 8 to 12 further including an electrified barrier.
16. Apparatus of claim 15 wherein the electrified barrier is a mesh or grid.
17. Apparatus of claims 15 or 16 wherein the electrified barrier is provided within the framework.
18. Apparatus of claims 14 to 17 wherein the framework comprises an arrangement of horizontal spars and vertical stanchions .
19. Apparatus of claims 14 to 18 wherein the framework comprises a three dimensional arrangement of such
stanchions and spars.
20. Apparatus of claims 14 to 19 wherein the framework may be formed into a polygonal shape.
21. Apparatus of claims 8 to 20 further including a treatment gas source.
22. Apparatus of claim 21 wherein an opening in the uppermost portion of a stanchion is provided to enable an additive to be inserted into the interior of the stanchion.
23. Apparatus of claims 8 to 22 wherein the lower portion of at least one stanchion includes a reaction chamber section.
24. Apparatus of claim 23 wherein the reaction chamber section allows ingress of a controlled amount of water to allow the additive to react with water to form a gas.
25. Apparatus of claims 8 to 23 further including at least one ozone generator.
26. Apparatus of claims 8 to 24 wherein the stanchions are interconnected by an exhaust manifold arrangement.
27. Apparatus of claim 26 wherein the exhaust manifold or connecting spar/tube has one or more orifices positioned along its surface, communicating between its hollow interior and exterior.
28. Apparatus of claim 27 wherein the orifice (s) are on the upper surface and located within the locus of the filter material.
29. Apparatus of claims 8 to 28 further including a wind turbine to generate electricity.
PCT/GB2018/052887 2017-10-10 2018-10-10 Water treatment apparatus for aquaculture and method WO2019073219A1 (en)

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GBGB1716548.1A GB201716548D0 (en) 2017-10-10 2017-10-10 Apparatus and method

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NO20190807A1 (en) * 2019-06-27 2020-12-28 Sfd Innovation As Electrodes for a corrosive environment
CN113229184A (en) * 2021-05-25 2021-08-10 贵州省水产研究所 Disease-preventing breeding device for aquatic seedling

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JPH10327699A (en) * 1997-06-02 1998-12-15 Maeda Kousen Kk Sheet for underwater construction
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CN113229184B (en) * 2021-05-25 2021-11-12 贵州省水产研究所 Disease-preventing breeding device for aquatic seedling

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