WO2023021344A1

WO2023021344A1 - Submersible containment system for biomass cultivation

Info

Publication number: WO2023021344A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/056809
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tom Delahanty
Original assignee: Azure Fisheries Colombia S.A.S.
Priority date: 2021-08-20
Filing date: 2022-07-22
Publication date: 2023-02-23
Also published as: CO2021011000A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a submersible containment system for biomass cultivation, comprising: two or more floating structures having a buoyancy variation mechanism that allows the depth of the structure to be adjusted; a containment mesh joined to the floating structure; a central mounting structure located in the centre of the two or more floating structures and connected to two or more floating structures, allowing the ascent or immersion of the assembly of the floating structures; and a single-point tying element, connected at one end to an anchoring component and at the other end to a support structure on the surface. The submersible containment system of the present application allows biomass cultivation in open water with the possibility of manually or remotely adjusting the depth of the floating structure.

Description

SUBMERSIBLE CONTAINMENT SYSTEM FOR BIOMASS CULTIVATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aquaculture. Particularly, the development is related to a submersible containment system for biomass cultivation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The growing demand for fish products has created the need to optimize production systems and increase the biomass produced per unit volume. In turn, the culture of fish in natural water matrices has been a strategy to improve production, since these matrices allow the cultures to be maintained in environmental conditions similar to natural ones, while the circulating water facilitates the exchange of essential nutrients and removal of waste.

[0003] In view of the above, the fish farming industry has implemented large-scale fish production systems that involve the provision of submersible containers or cages for fish in natural water matrices, mainly in the immediate vicinity of the ocean and lake shores.

[0004] Conventional containerized fish farming systems are mainly characterized by employing wide cages comprising a rigid cylindrical frame structure placed horizontally on the surface of the water body with a netting system that allows water to flow in and out. from the cage The netting system is made with several meshes of netting small enough to retain the biomass within the cage. Such conventional cages typically have a circular bottom net, a cylindrical side wall net extending to the surface of the water and an open top end, which may also be covered by a net. These systems are commonly individually anchored using buoys and anchors to stabilize the cages in the water.

[0005] However, although the culture of fish in cages or containers near the shores and relatively superficial is quite advantageous to increase the production of some species of fish, this system has limitations among which are:

• The less and less availability of land close to the shores suitable for developing this activity;

• The impact of environmental conditions such as rain, waves, winds, and extreme temperatures on cultures in relatively shallow cages.

• The environmental and nutritional requirements of some fish species for their proper development; for example, fresher, deeper waters, with certain currents and natural nutrients.

[0006] As an alternative to these limitations, fully submersible cage systems have been proposed that allow fish farming to be carried out at different depths and not necessarily on land close to the seashore.

[0007] Among these systems are known in the art, for example, patent applications: WO 82/03152 and FR2420920, which relate to substantially cylindrical cages that can rotate when in a semi-submerged position. Additionally, spherically shaped submersible cages are also known, for example, patent application W02008058372A1.

[0008] In other alternative submersible cage designs, square-shaped cages have also been proposed, such as the one described by PCT Application No. WO 2016/063040. This development proposes a submersible cage that allows variations in its buoyancy, and thus regulates the depth to which it is submerged.

[0009] However, the cages known in the art have configurations highly susceptible to disturbances due to changes in environmental conditions, such as unforeseen volume currents and loss of containment, which cause structural deformations and in some cases the complete failure of the structure. Additionally, prior art submersible cage configurations do not contemplate groupings of submersible containers to increase operational culture units.

[0010] In accordance with the above, it is necessary in the technical field of fish farming to develop submersible containment systems, suitable for the cultivation of fish in the open sea, which are highly stable in the face of current flows, with the ease of adjust the depth of culture and the grouping between containment cages to increase the volume of biomass per area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present development surprisingly solves the problems of the prior art, by providing a submersible containment system that allows (if properly used) the culture of large volumes of shoal species or the culture of large pelagic species at different depths. . The submersible containment system for biomass cultivation described here includes:

• two or more floating structures that have a buoyancy variation mechanism that allows the depth at which the floating structure is to be adjusted;

• a retaining mesh attached to the floating structure; a central mounting structure located in the center of the two or more floating structures and connected to at least two of the floating structures, allowing the assembly of the floating structures to be raised or submerged;

• a single point lanyard, which connects the central mounting structure with an anchoring component and a surface support structure; in which the two or more floating structures can be directly attached to another floating structure by means of a system of clamps and fastening patterns, thus forming an assembly of multiple structures.

[0012] Thus, the present invention provides a submersible containment system for the efficient cultivation of biomass. Advantageously, the system described here, in addition to supporting strong water currents and having the possibility of manually or remotely adjusting the depth of the culture, allows optimizing the volume of biomass cultivated by allowing the assembly of two or more floating structures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] Figure 1 shows a general perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the floating structure (2) according to the system of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of an embodiment of the central mounting structure (5) that is part of the system disclosed herein, with a substantially circular central structure (504) and a single point lanyard. (8). [0015] Figure 3 shows two of the possible fastening configurations of the single point grip element (6a, 6b) according to embodiments of the invention.

[0016] Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged view of an embodiment of the floating structure (2) of the system of the invention and the detail of the containment mesh (3) attached to said structure.

[0017] Figure 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention in which several floating structures are joined to form an assembly of structures (11).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The invention described here is related to a submersible containment system for the cultivation of biomass on a large scale and at variable depths. The submersible containment system (1) comprises:

• two or more floating structures (2) that have a buoyancy variation mechanism that allows adjusting the depth at which the floating structure (2) is found;

• a containment mesh (3) attached to the two or more floating structures (2);

• a central mounting structure (5) located in the center of the two or more floating structures (2) and connected to at least two of the floating structures (2), allowing the assembly of the floating structures (2) to rise or submerge );

• a single point lanyard (8) connecting the central mounting structure (5) with an anchoring component (6) and a surface support structure (7); in which the two or more floating structures (2) can be directly attached to another floating structure, thus forming an assembly of structures (11).

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, and as shown in Figure 1, the floating structure (2) of the system described here is a substantially quadrilateral structure that comprises longitudinal structural elements

(201) and transversal elements (202) that provide support and resistance to the structure (2).

[0020] In one embodiment the longitudinal structural elements (201) and the transverse elements (202) are substantially tubular.

[0021] Additionally, according to the invention, the floating structure (2) comprises a buoyancy variation mechanism, which, preferably, comprises bifurcations within some of the longitudinal elements (201) or transverse elements (202) that allow the circulation of fluids. Preferably, the buoyancy variation mechanism allows the supply of gas or liquid in some of the longitudinal elements (201) or transverse elements.

(202) to adjust the buoyancy of the floating structure (2). According to one embodiment, the buoyancy variation mechanisms comprise valves and/or hoses that are controlled from the surface support structure (7) and that allow fluid exchange within the buoyancy variation mechanism. Advantageously, the buoyancy of the floating structure (2) can be controlled manually or remotely.

In one embodiment, the buoyancy of the floating structure (2) can be optionally adjusted by external ballast tanks.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention, the submersible containment system (1) described herein further comprises a central mounting structure (5) located in the center of the two or more floating structures (2) and connected to the least two of the floating structures (2), allowing the ascent or submersion of the assembly of floating structures (2). In a preferred embodiment, the central mounting structure (5) comprises two or more cross link elements (503), as shown in Figure 2. Said cross link elements (503) are hydrodynamically designed to withstand drag forces produced due to weather or current conditions. In one embodiment, the cross link elements (503) are substantially tubular.

In one embodiment of the invention, the two or more cross link elements (503) intersect each other. In a preferred embodiment, the intersections between the two or more cross link elements (503) form a substantially circular structure (504).

[0023] According to the present invention, the submersible containment system (1) comprises a single point mooring element (8), which connects the central mounting structure (5) with an anchoring component (6) and a surface support structure (7). In one embodiment of the present invention, the single point lanyard (8) passes through the substantially circular frame (504) located on the central mounting frame (5). In a preferred embodiment, the substantially circular structure (504) serves as a guide for a single point lanyard (8).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the single point mooring element (8) together with the central mounting structure (5), allow the ascent or submersion of the assembly of floating structures (11), as shown exemplified in the Figure 2. Advantageously, two or more floating structure assemblies (11) can be joined together, forming a floating structure assemblage assembly.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the anchoring component (6) can be located, for example, directly inserted into the bottom of the body of water (6a) or into a deadweight element (6b), including in both cases fastening mechanisms, as shown in Figure 3. However, the locations of the anchor points are not limited to these configurations. [0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the clamping of the structure and its depth is controlled by means of a winch (10), preferably by means of a hydraulic winch (Figure 3). Said winch (10) allows raising or lowering the single point lanyard (8).

[0026] Advantageously, the single-point lanyard (8) that is part of the system of the invention allows the stationary system to be kept with minimal displacements and is sufficiently resistant to withstand the drag forces produced by weather conditions or currents and static load of anchoring components. Along the single point lanyard (8) the floating structure (2) ascends or descends as required.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the submersible containment system (1) described herein comprises a containment mesh (3) attached to the floating structure (2), which allows the biomass to be contained within said floating structure ( 2). According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the mesh (3) can be made of materials that include, but are not limited to: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, PET microfilaments, nylon fibers, metal meshes, or other fibers with characteristics of similar performance. In one embodiment, the mesh (3) is attached to the floating structure (2) by conventional fastening means such as rings and hooks.

[0028] On the other hand, and as shown in Figure 5, in an embodiment of the invention, the floating structure (2) can be directly attached to another floating structure, thus forming an assembly of multiple structures (11). In another aspect of the embodiment, the floating structure (2) can be directly attached to another floating structure (2) by means of a system of clamps and fastening patterns. In an additional modality, the floating structure (2) can be directly attached to the central mounting structure (5) to another floating structure (2). This advantageously allows increasing operational efficiency, reducing costs and increasing scalability.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the surface support structure (7) comprises a platform (701) from where it is possible to collect, process and transmit data on surface and subsurface conditions. In another preferred embodiment, the surface support structure (7) includes mechanisms for manual or remote control of the valves and hoses included in the buoyancy mechanism, thus making it possible to remotely vary the depth of the floating structure (2). In another embodiment of the invention, the surface support structure (7) further comprises navigation devices (702). In accordance with the invention, the surface support structure (7) is designed in such a way that it has sufficient buoyancy to counteract the forces exerted by adverse environmental conditions. Advantageously, the surface support structure (7) has a platform (701) that can be closed to cover the devices installed on said surface support structure (7) and protect them from environmental conditions.

[0030] Advantageously, the submersible containment system (1) of the invention provides greater durability in operation than conventional systems, being capable of adapting to different environmental conditions. Likewise, the system of the invention allows most of the tasks required for cultivation to be carried out when the structure is submerged for inclement environmental conditions, or on the surface in suitable conditions. Enabling more efficient and cost-effective operations over alternative designs due to scalability.

[0031] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, these do not limit the scope and variations obvious to a person skilled in the art are also included within the present invention.

Claims

1. A submersible containment system (1) for biomass cultivation comprising:

• two or more floating structures (2) that have a buoyancy variation mechanism that allows adjusting the depth at which the floating structure (2) is located;

• a containment mesh (3) attached to the floating structure (2);

• a single point lanyard (8), which connects the central mounting structure (5) with an anchoring component (6) and a surface support structure (7); in which the two or more floating structures (2) can be directly attached to another floating structure, thus forming an assembly of multiple structures (11).

2. The containment system for biomass cultivation (1) of claim 1 wherein the floating structure (2) is substantially quadrilateral and includes longitudinal members (201) and transverse members (202) that provide support and resistance to the structure. .

The containment system for growing biomass (1) of claim 2, wherein the longitudinal members (201) and the cross members (202) are tubular.

4. The containment system for biomass cultivation (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the buoyancy variation mechanism It comprises bifurcations within some of the longitudinal members (201) or the cross members (202) that allow the circulation of fluids.

5. The containment system for biomass cultivation (1) of any of the preceding claims wherein the buoyancy is controlled manually or remotely.

6. The containment system for biomass cultivation (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the floating structure (2) can be directly attached to another floating structure (2) by a system of clamps and fastening patterns.

7. The containment system for biomass cultivation (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the floating structure (2) can be directly attached to the central mounting structure (5) to another floating structure (2).