Methods and facilities for adjusting oxygenation in animal drinking water.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a facility for raising animals, particularly poultry and pigs, comprising means for supplying water to the animals for drinking, the supply means comprising: - a syringe (7, 8) that enables the injection of gas into the water; - a water inlet line (20) and an air inlet line (3, 4, 5, 6) leading to the syringe; and - a source (1) of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas mixture, such as an oxygen reservoir capable of distributing oxygen to the gas line; - a water tank (17) at atmospheric pressure, the syringe being supplied with water from the water tank located therein, the water tank also being able to be supplied with fresh water (20); - a coil (10) capable of receiving dissolved oxygen-laden water from the syringe, the water reaching the coil by means of a pump (9), the coil enabling a water / oxygen contact time; - water leaving the coil passing through an outlet (12) so as to be directed entirely to the drinking area or partially to the drinking area and partially to the water tank (17). The invention is characterized by performing two simultaneous injections of oxygen or an oxygen-containing mixture in water: one (3, 5, 7) upstream of the pump and another (4, 6, 8) downstream of the pump (9), wherein the flow rate of the injection performed upstream of the pump is lower than the flow rate of the injection performed downstream of the pump.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to the field of animal husbandry, particularly to the husbandry of poultry and pigs, and also rabbits, and very particularly to their drinking water problem.

[0002] For example, it should be remembered that it took about 120 days in 1920 for a chicken to reach a weight of 1.5 kg, about 44 days in 1980, and about 33 days in 1998.

[0003] According to various studies, experimental surveys conducted on these farms showed that, at the same age (49 days), the average weight of broiler chickens doubled between 1967 and 1996. Furthermore, in recent years, consumer demand has shifted towards leaner animals and pre-cut poultry meat.

[0004] These production goals have been achieved through changes in nutrition programs and feeding conditions associated with genetic selection for fast-growing animals, low consumption index, low fattening, and increased muscle mass.

[0005] Improvements in genetics, hygiene, prevention, and feeding conditions have significantly reduced poultry mortality rates on farms over the past two decades.

[0006] However, the following aspects must be taken into account in all research reports published on this topic:

[0007] Rapid physical growth increases oxygen demand and heat production.

[0008] The increased output of pectoral muscle mass exacerbates the imbalance between muscle mass development and the development of other tissues, such as the kidneys, heart, and lungs. In current farms, altered growth characteristics are sometimes accompanied by an increased frequency of cardiovascular and respiratory failure, characterized by heatstroke, sudden death syndrome, and increased amounts of ascites (fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity).

[0009] The available research in this area can be summarized by the fact that oxygen is a limiting factor that can help explain the frequency of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in broilers. Comparisons of genotypes with variable growth rates have shown that high incidence of ascites and high growth rates are associated with low oxygen pressure and high CO2 pressure in venous blood. Therefore, inadequate oxygen utilization appears to be a major cause of cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunction in fast-growing chickens.

[0010] The above demonstrates the need to restore the balance between the metabolic demands imposed by the selection for rapid growth and the ability of the respiratory system to supply oxygen to meet them.

[0011] One possible approach would be to increase the oxygen content in the environment where chickens are raised. Unfortunately, dense farms require strong ventilation to remove the heat and humidity generated by poultry, and therefore the oxygen consumption (e.g., changing from 20.9% to 27%) would be prohibitive and ultimately a no-go solution from an economic standpoint.

[0012] The applicant has conducted extensive research on this issue; in particular, reference EP-3 709 793 (WO2019097142) is available, which proposes a novel facility for oxygenating drinking water for such livestock.

[0013] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to propose an improvement on the facility proposed in the prior art.

[0014] Attached [ Figure 1 This demonstrates the contents of the facility based on the aforementioned existing document WO 2019097142.

[0015] Here [ Figure 1 The following elements are identified in the image:

[0016] - A syringe 61 for injecting gas into water, such as a Venturi syringe;

[0017] - A water inlet line (“water”) and an air inlet line (“gas”) reach this syringe 61, in which case the upstream end of the air inlet line is connected to a reservoir (represented by a gas cylinder) for oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas mixture (e.g., a mixture of 70% oxygen and 30% CO2).

[0018] - Pressure reducing valve 62;

[0019] - Regulating valve 63 (a gas regulating valve calibrated to inject a selected amount of gas into the syringe);

[0020] - Coil 64: The length of the coil determines the selected gas / water contact time, preferably greater than 10 seconds and more preferably between 10 and 30 seconds;

[0021] - Water circulation pump 65: This pump ensures a high water velocity in the coil;

[0022] - Back pressure regulator 66;

[0023] -Float valve 67;

[0024] - A water tank at atmospheric pressure (68).

[0025] This previously proposed facility has proven successful in limiting capital costs because it avoids the (expensive) use of oxygen analyzers.

[0026] The "water" line from the right supplyes "fresh" or new water to the tank, thus allowing the tank to be filled with water before startup; the float valve 67 (e.g., WC water flush type) allows a constant water level to be maintained in the tank.

[0027] Using a water tank at atmospheric pressure simultaneously maintains low pressure in the drinking water network and high pressure in the coils to dissolve oxygen.

[0028] Regardless of water consumption, the back pressure regulator always maintains the same pressure in the loop.

[0029] The oxygen injection system operates while the drinking water network is being supplied with water; in the event of a stoppage, the system is shut down.

[0030] The "water suction" line exits from the reservoir and delivers water from the reservoir to the syringe; therefore, it is a mixture of recirculated water and fresh water. In other words, except when the animal is not consuming water, the syringe accepts 100% recirculated water (remember that animals always consume water; to stop them, the lights must be turned off).

[0031] Water can be directed to the drinking area via pump 65 and dissolving coil 64, as already understood, passing outside water tank 68 and through back pressure regulator 66. The back pressure regulator is also located outside the water tank, but it can be positioned inside the water in the tank for space / fitting reasons.

[0032] As shown in the figure, if necessary, the facility allows a portion of the water from the coil to flow into the water tank and another portion to flow into the drinking water area.

[0033] The following text refers to the attached document. Figure 2 Explain the improvements proposed in this invention.

[0034] Attached [ Figure 2 Partial schematic diagrams of facilities suitable for implementing the present invention are provided, and will allow for a better understanding of the technical recommendations of the present invention through the following description.

[0035] [ Figure 2 The components in [ ] are named as follows:

[0036] -1: Gas cylinder

[0037] -2: Gas pressure reducing valve (allows gas to expand at a pressure higher than that of the water network).

[0038] -3: Suction side flow meter (used to adjust the oxygen flow rate on the suction side of pump 9)

[0039] -4: Discharge side flow meter (used to regulate the oxygen flow rate on the discharge side of pump 9)

[0040] -5: Suction side solenoid valve (controlled by the activation of the pump and flow sensor)

[0041] -6: Discharge-side solenoid valve (controlled by pump activation, flow sensor, and time-delayed level switch)

[0042] -7: Suction-side Venturi tube (used to inject gas into water at a low flow rate on the suction side of the pump without causing cavitation)

[0043] -8: Venturi tube on the discharge side (used to inject gas into the water at a flow rate corresponding to the water supplied by the pump discharge flow)

[0044] -9: Pump (used to increase water pressure and produce a water flow preferably between 1 m / s and 2.5 m / s)

[0045] -10: Coil (used to dissolve oxygen in water, wherein the water flow rate is preferably between 1 m / s and 2.5 m / s, and the contact time is preferably between 10 seconds and 20 seconds)

[0046] -11: Inlet solenoid valve (used to maintain the water level in the tank and to enable oxygen injection by actuating reference numeral 6 in the attached diagram)

[0047] -12: Back pressure regulator (used to maintain the water flow rate and thus the velocity in the coil, thereby supplying the desired outlet pressure to the user site)

[0048] -13: Solenoid valve (normally open (NO), used to bypass the system when the pump or control system stops, thereby ensuring that the animal always has water)

[0049] -14: Level switch (used to manage the water level in the tank and trigger high-flow oxygen injection, see attached diagram 6)

[0050] -15: Water flow regulator, adjusts the inlet flow rate of new water.

[0051] -16: Filter

[0052] -17: Water tank

[0053] -20: Fresh water intake

[0054] -30: Recirculation / Bypass

[0055] -40: Farm water network

[0056] -50: Water station (faucet)

[0057] Therefore, this invention proposes to perform simultaneous injection of oxygen or an oxygen-containing mixture from two streams:

[0058] - All the way upstream of the pump; and

[0059] - Another route is downstream of the pump;

[0060] The injection rate performed upstream of the pump is lower than the injection rate performed downstream of the pump.

[0061] Under the conditions under consideration, the flow rate of the gas injected upstream preferably represents between 5% and 25% of the saturation point of pure oxygen in water, with 25% considered to be the limit that may lead to cavitation, while the flow rate downstream of the pump represents the amount required to supplement the upstream injection to achieve the desired total content value.

[0062] The following section provides example flow rates to help explain the foregoing.

[0063] At 20°C, 43.4 mg / L of pure oxygen saturates water (Henry's Law).

[0064] The goal is to combine the maximum amount of oxygen on the pump's suction side, for example, 25% of 43.4, or 10.85 mg / l.

[0065] For example, to achieve a total concentration of 35 mg / L in drinking water, the following are required:

[0066] 35 minus 10.85 minus the natural oxygen content present in the water (9.2 mg / l under the previous conditions (20°C)) equals 14.95 mg / l.

[0067] This figure is adjusted based on the efficiency of the oxygenation equipment, which is generally considered to be close to 80%.

[0068] The result is that (14.95 × 1.2) = 17.94 mg / l needs to be added to the discharge side of the pump.

[0069] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, upstream injection is effective and beneficial because the injected gas is more "separate" and therefore more readily dissolved. However, because such injection can cause cavitation in the pump, its flow rate must be limited. Therefore, it is proposed to perform injection (suction) at a low flow rate upstream of the pump, supplemented by injection (discharge) at a higher flow rate downstream of the pump, thereby achieving the desired total flow rate value (content).

[0070] And as those skilled in the art will appreciate, one of the additional advantages of this configuration is that this small injection can be maintained on the suction side when the facility returns to itself via a bypass, and if the animal consumes water, the water level in the tank drops, resulting in the injection of oxygen at a higher flow rate on the discharge side.

[0071] It should also be noted that this injection configuration also enables oxygen to be injected from a variety of sources, and in particular from autonomous (on-site) production sources, such as the well-known oxygen "concentrators" used in the medical field (to supply oxygen-enriched air to patients).

[0072] Because the flow rate on the suction side of the pump installed according to the invention is relatively low, this concentrator technology is well-suited for providing such a supply.

[0073] Furthermore, one or all of the following embodiments may also be used according to the present invention:

[0074] The operation of the pumps is related to the light levels in the buildings housing the animals. In fact, it is known that animals stop eating and drinking at night (when the lights are off).

[0075] Therefore, it is extremely advantageous to stop the injection of oxygen and the continuous flow of water to the animals at night:

[0076] ●This reduces power consumption; and

[0077] ● The fact that the water is not heated overnight keeps it palatable in the morning, which is not the case when the water is continuously circulated in a pump without the addition of fresh water.

[0078] In short, animals stop drinking and eating at night, so stopping the pump to prevent the water from heating up is crucial.

[0079] However, as mentioned above, even if the pump stops, the bypass 30 maintains the pressure in the circuit, and if the animal wishes to drink from the water spout 50 at night, the animal is given water at night, in which case the water is not oxygen-rich.

[0080] -Oxygen injection and fresh water intake (via solenoid valve 11, Figure 2 This embodiment significantly reduces oxygen consumption compared to existing technologies that involve continuous oxygen injection.

[0081] - An adjustable time delay is applied to oxygen injections (multiple injections) to extend the injection period to a desired duration after fresh water input has ceased. This optimizes dissolved oxygen levels.

[0082] By explaining the process, the time delay between one and two replacements can be calculated using the principle of water volume replacement in the facility.

[0083] For example, equipped with 3 m 3 A pump operating at / h containing 600 liters of water (0.6 m³) 3 The facility has a 12-minute replacement time.

[0084] Therefore, the time delay will be advantageously set between 12 and 24 minutes.

[0085] Therefore, the present invention relates to a facility for raising animals, particularly poultry and pigs, the facility comprising means for supplying water to the animals for drinking, said supply means comprising:

[0086] - A syringe used to inject gas into water;

[0087] - The water inlet line and air inlet line reach the syringe;

[0088] - A source of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas mixture, such as an oxygen reservoir capable of delivering oxygen to the intake line.

[0089] - A water tank at atmospheric pressure, from which the syringe is supplied water, wherein the water tank can also be supplied with new water;

[0090] - A coil that receives dissolved oxygen-filled water from the syringe, wherein the water reaches the coil by means of a pump, and the coil generates a water / oxygen contact time.

[0091] - The water from this coil passes through devices such as a back pressure regulator, allowing the water to be directed entirely to the drinking area or partially to both the drinking area and the water tank.

[0092] The facility is characterized by comprising means for performing two simultaneous injections of oxygen or an oxygen-containing mixture into water, one upstream of the pump and the other downstream of the pump, wherein the injection performed upstream of the pump has a lower flow rate than the injection performed downstream of the pump.

[0093] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the source is an oxygen concentrator that supplies oxygen-enriched air.

[0094] The present invention also relates to a method for delivering drinking water to livestock, characterized in that the water is delivered to the animals by means of the facilities described above.

[0095] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the flow rate of the gas injected upstream represents between 5% and 25% of the saturation point of pure oxygen in water under the temperature conditions considered on the farm, while the flow rate downstream of the pump represents the amount required to supplement the upstream injection to achieve the desired total oxygen content in the water supplied to the animals.

[0096] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the operation of the pump is related to the light level in the building housing the animal.

[0097] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the injection of gas is related to the introduction of fresh water into the facility.

[0098] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, an adjustable time delay is applied to the gas injection to extend the injection for a desired period of time after the fresh water input in the facility is stopped.

Claims

1. A facility for raising animals, the facility comprising a conveying device for supplying water to the animals for drinking, said conveying device comprising: - A syringe used to inject gas into water; - The water inlet line and air inlet line reach the syringe; - A source of oxygen or a mixture of gases containing oxygen. - A water tank (17) at atmospheric pressure, the syringe is supplied with water from this water tank (17), wherein the water tank can also be supplied with fresh water; - Coil (10), which is capable of receiving dissolved oxygen-filled water from the syringe, wherein the water reaches the coil (10) by means of a pump (9), and the coil (10) generates water / oxygen contact time; - Water from the coil (10) passes through the device so that it can be directed entirely to the drinking area or partially to the drinking area and partially to the water tank (17). The facility is characterized by comprising means for performing two simultaneous injections of oxygen or an oxygen-containing mixture into water, wherein one injection is located upstream of the pump (9) and the other injection is located downstream of the pump (9), with the flow rate of the injection performed upstream of the pump (9) being lower than the flow rate of the injection performed downstream of the pump (9).

2. The facility of claim 1, wherein, The source is an oxygen concentrator that supplies oxygen-enriched air.

3. The facility of claim 1, wherein the source is an oxygen storage device capable of delivering oxygen to the intake line.

4. The facility as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the animal is poultry or a pig.

5. The facility as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device through which the water from the coil (10) passes is a back pressure regulator (12).

6. The facility as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the syringe is a first syringe and a second syringe, and the coil (10) is capable of receiving dissolved oxygen-filled water from the second syringe.

7. The facility of claim 6, wherein the first syringe is positioned in an injection performed upstream of the pump (9) and the second syringe is positioned in an injection performed downstream of the pump (9).

8. The facility of claim 6, wherein the first syringe is supplied with water from the water tank (17).

9. A method for delivering drinking water to animals, characterized in that, The water is delivered to the animals by means of the facility described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The flow rate of the gas injected upstream represents between 5% and 25% of the saturation point of pure oxygen in water under the temperature conditions considered on the farm, while the flow rate downstream of the pump (9) represents the amount required to supplement the upstream injection to achieve the desired total oxygen content in the water supplied to these animals.

11. The method as described in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The operation of the pump (9) is related to the light level in the building that houses these animals.

12. The method as described in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The injection of gas is related to the introduction of fresh water into the facility.

13. The method as described in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, An adjustable time delay is applied to the gas injection to extend the injection for a desired period of time after the fresh water input in the facility is stopped.

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