A fecal collection device for a recirculating aquaculture system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of excrement collecting devices for flow type breeding system, the excrement collecting device includes separation pipe, first drain pipe, second drain pipe, suction pipe and plug; separation pipe side is equipped with drainage opening and suction interface, drainage opening is located above suction interface along the height direction of separation pipe;First drain pipe and second drain pipe are communicated to form drainage channel;One end of suction pipe is connected with suction interface, and the other end extends to excrement gathering area;Plug connects the lower end of separation pipe and forms excrement sedimentation tank.The excrement collecting device is synergized by the above structure, and the water pressure in the breeding water tank is used to drive the excrement to automatically enter the separation pipe and deposit in the sedimentation tank, to realize the automatic collection of excrement, without frequent manual operation, reduce labor cost, improve excrement sample quality;And each component is assembled in sealed connection or detachable connection mode, convenient to disassemble, can be adapted to different forms of breeding water tank, improve versatility and operation convenience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of aquaculture equipment technology, specifically to a manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the most widely used aquaculture containers in aquaculture experiments are circular conical-bottomed water tanks. The structural design of this type of water tank usually involves a water outlet in the center of the bottom, with a conduit installed inside the outlet. Under continuous water injection conditions, excess water in the water tank overflows naturally through the overflow port formed at the top of the conduit, thereby maintaining a stable water level in the water tank. However, this traditional tank structure and drainage method have significant drawbacks in the fecal collection process: on the one hand, feces that sink to the bottom of the tank are easily resuspended by the disturbance caused by the daily swimming and feeding activities of aquatic animals, and are lost with the water discharged from the overflow outlet, resulting in low fecal collection efficiency and difficulty in obtaining sufficient and complete fecal samples; on the other hand, for the small amount of feces that remain at the bottom of the tank that are not lost with the overflow, the existing technology generally uses the siphon method for collection. During this operation, staff need to be on duty for a long time. The insertion of the siphon tube and the long operation will cause physiological stress to aquatic animals, causing abnormal fluctuations in their growth performance and metabolic state. This may not only affect the normal growth of aquatic animals, but also cause the amount and composition of feces to deviate from the normal physiological state. Utility Model Content

[0003] The main purpose of this invention is to propose a manure collection device for a flowing water aquaculture system, which aims to solve the problems of low collection efficiency and difficulty in obtaining samples caused by the easy loss of manure with overflow due to the activity of aquatic animals in traditional circular conical bottom water tanks, as well as the high labor intensity and physiological stress on aquatic animals caused by the existing siphon method for collecting manure, which causes the amount and composition of their excrement to deviate from the normal state.

[0004] The above-mentioned objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] A manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system includes:

[0006] A separation pipe is provided with a drain opening and a suction port on its side, and the drain opening is located above the suction port along the height direction of the separation pipe;

[0007] The first drain pipe has one end connected to the drain opening and the other end connected to the second drain pipe.

[0008] The second drain pipe forms a drainage channel with the first drain pipe;

[0009] A suction pipe, one end of which is connected to the suction port, and the other end of which extends to the fecal accumulation area;

[0010] And a plug, which is sealed to the lower end of the separation pipe and forms a fecal sedimentation tank.

[0011] Furthermore, the drainage opening and the suction port are spaced apart along the axial direction of the separation pipe, and the drainage opening and the suction port are distributed relative to each other in the radial direction of the separation pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, the diameter to height ratio of the separation tube is 1:(3-5).

[0013] Furthermore, the distance between the drain opening and the top of the separator pipe is within one-fifth of the total height of the separator pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, a sealing gasket is provided at the drain opening of the separation pipe.

[0015] Furthermore, the distance between the suction port and the top of the separation pipe is one-third to one-half of the total height of the separation pipe.

[0016] Furthermore, the second drain pipe and the first drain pipe form a drainage channel through a sealed connection structure, wherein the sealed connection structure is a threaded connection, an interference fit connection, or an adapter connection.

[0017] Furthermore, the diameter ratio of the separation pipe to the first drain pipe is 1:(0.3-0.7).

[0018] Furthermore, the diameter ratio of the suction pipe to the separation pipe is 1:(5-10).

[0019] Furthermore, the suction pipe and the suction port are sealed together by an interference fit or a sealing ring.

[0020] Furthermore, the suction pipe is a flexible hose.

[0021] Furthermore, the height ratio of the plug to the separator is 1:(4-10).

[0022] Furthermore, the plug is a detachable plug.

[0023] Furthermore, the plug and the lower end of the separation tube are detachably and sealed together via a threaded structure or a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0024] Furthermore, the fecal collection device is a single-tank structure or a multi-tank structure.

[0025] Furthermore, the flow-through aquaculture system consists of several aquaculture tanks connected in parallel within the same inlet and outlet system, and the second drain pipe of the manure collection device extends outward through the bottom wall of the aquaculture tank.

[0026] Furthermore, the flowing water aquaculture system includes a recirculating aquaculture system.

[0027] Furthermore, the diameter ratio of the separation pipe of the feces collection device to that of the aquaculture tank is 1:(5-10).

[0028] Furthermore, a sealing element is provided at the penetration point between the second drain pipe and the bottom wall of the aquaculture tank. The sealing element is a rubber sealing ring or waterproof sealant to achieve a seal between the second drain pipe and the aquaculture tank.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the above-mentioned technical solution of this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] 1. This utility model optimizes the collaborative structure of the separation pipe, drainage pipe, suction pipe and plug, and uses the water pressure generated by the continuous injection of water into the aquaculture tank to drive the feces to automatically enter the separation pipe and settle in the feces sedimentation tank formed by the plug. This solves the problems of cumbersome operation and high labor cost of traditional manual collection of feces, realizes the automated collection of feces, and greatly reduces the labor input.

[0031] 2. This utility model is compatible with different aquaculture tanks. By adopting a simple overall structural design, the components are assembled with sealed or detachable connections, which improves versatility and ease of operation. Feces can be collected during the growth experiment without transferring aquatic animals into a dedicated aquaculture system with feces collection function. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system according to Example 1.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system in Example 2.

[0034] Attached reference numerals: 1. Separation pipe; 2. First drain pipe; 3. Second drain pipe; 4. Suction pipe; 5. Plug; 6. Aquaculture tank; 7. Drainage opening; 8. Suction interface. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0036] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0037] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] A manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system, as shown in the three-dimensional structural diagram. Figure 1 As shown, it includes:

[0040] The separation pipe 1 has a drain opening 7 and a suction port 8 on its side. The drain opening 7 is located above the suction port 8 along the height direction of the separation pipe 1.

[0041] First drain pipe 2, one end of the first drain pipe 2 is connected to the drain opening 7, and the other end is connected to the second drain pipe 3;

[0042] The second drain pipe 3 is connected to the first drain pipe 2 to form a drainage channel;

[0043] The suction pipe 4 has one end connected to the suction port 8 and the other end extending to the fecal collection area.

[0044] And a plug 5, which is connected to the lower end of the separation pipe 1, and the plug 5 forms a fecal sedimentation tank.

[0045] The feces collection device in Example 1 is a single-tank structure, specifically comprising only one set of independent functional units for feces separation, sedimentation, and collection, thus constituting a single-tank feces collection device. The second drain pipe 3 of this feces collection device extends outward through the bottom wall of the aquaculture tank 6; the aquaculture tank 6 and the feces collection device cooperate to form a feces collection system.

[0046] The working principle of the manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system is as follows: The aquaculture tank is continuously filled with water. When the water level in the tank is higher than the upper edge of the second drain pipe 3, the excess water will naturally flow into the second drain pipe 3 and be discharged. After the manure collection device is installed, the water pressure generated by the continuous filling of the tank will drive the manure at the bottom of the tank to move towards the low-resistance area. Since the suction pipe 4 has a small diameter, the water flow speed inside is fast and the suction is strong, which can efficiently suck in the manure at the bottom of the tank and transport it to the separation pipe 1. The diameter of the separation pipe 1 is much larger than that of the suction pipe. After the water enters the separation pipe 1, the flow cross section increases and the flow velocity slows down significantly. Because the density of the manure particles is greater than that of the water, they will gradually settle and gather in the manure sedimentation tank formed by the plug 5 at the lower end of the separation pipe 1 under the action of gravity. The water after the manure separation continues to flow into the drain pipe from the drain opening 7 on the side of the separation pipe and be discharged. Finally, the automatic collection of manure and the normal discharge of water are coordinated, effectively preventing the loss of manure with the overflow.

[0047] In one specific embodiment, the drain opening 7 and the suction port 8 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the separation pipe 1, and the drain opening 7 and the suction port 8 are distributed opposite to each other in the radial direction of the separation pipe 1. The axial spacing ensures that there is a height difference between the two (the drain opening 7 is higher than the suction port 8), so that when the water flows in the separation pipe, the feces will sink to the feces sedimentation tank due to gravity, reducing the probability of loss with the drainage; the radially opposite distribution avoids the two overlapping in the radial position, prevents the drainage water flow from directly impacting the area of ​​the suction port 8, ensures the stability of the feces sedimentation environment, and improves the separation efficiency.

[0048] In one specific implementation, the diameter ratio of the separation pipe 1 to the aquaculture tank is 1:(5-10), which ensures that the separation pipe can accommodate enough water to form an effective sedimentation space, while avoiding the problem that its diameter is too large and occupies too much volume of the aquaculture tank (affecting the aquaculture space) or too small and causes the water flow speed to be too fast and the feces cannot be fully settled.

[0049] In one specific embodiment, the second drain pipe 3 and the first drain pipe 2 form a drainage channel through a sealed connection structure. The sealed connection structure can be a threaded connection, an interference fit connection, or an adapter connection. The threaded connection achieves sealing and ease of disassembly and assembly through the interlocking of internal and external threads at the ends and the use of a waterproof sealing ring. The interference fit connection utilizes the difference in pipe diameter to form a tight fit to simplify the structure. The adapter connection uses a straight connector with a sealing groove (built-in sealing ring) to adapt to the difference in pipe diameter. All three connection methods can ensure the sealing (preventing water leakage and air ingress) and connectivity (ensuring smooth drainage of clean water) of the drainage channel. At the same time, the appropriate connection method can be selected according to the disassembly and assembly requirements of the aquaculture scenario, cost control, and pipe diameter matching.

[0050] In one specific implementation, the second drain pipe 3 is the original drain pipe of the aquaculture tank.

[0051] In one specific implementation, the diameter ratio of the separation pipe 1 to the first drain pipe 2 is 1:(0.3-0.7). By limiting the drainage flow, the water level in the separation pipe is kept stable, ensuring that the feces settle to the bottom under water pressure rather than being carried away by rapid drainage.

[0052] In one specific embodiment, the diameter to height ratio of the separation pipe 1 is 1:(3-5). This ratio balances the longitudinal space and transverse cross-section of the separation pipe, ensuring sufficient height within the pipe to create a water level difference, providing an adequate vertical path for fecal sedimentation (reducing the impact of water flow disturbance on sedimentation); at the same time, it avoids excessive height leading to overall redundancy of the device (increasing installation difficulty) or insufficient sedimentation distance due to excessive height (feces are easily carried away by drainage), thus optimizing sedimentation efficiency and structural compactness.

[0053] In one specific embodiment, the diameter of the separation tube 1 is 10-15 cm and the height is 40-50 cm.

[0054] In one specific implementation, the distance between the drain opening 7 and the top of the separation pipe 1 is within one-fifth of the total height of the separation pipe 1. This avoids the opening being too low, which would cause the part above the water surface to lack buoyancy and thus increase the lateral force on the drain pipe 3, affecting the sealing of the drain outlet at the bottom of the aquaculture tank.

[0055] In one specific implementation, the diameter of the drainage opening 7 is greater than 5 cm.

[0056] In one specific embodiment, a sealing gasket is provided at the drain opening 7 of the separation pipe 1. The sealing gasket is used to enhance the sealing of the connection between the drain opening 7 and the drain pipe, prevent water from leaking from the interface gap, avoid water accumulation or unstable water level in the breeding environment, and at the same time reduce water pressure loss caused by leakage, ensuring the efficiency of water flow in the separation pipe to drive the sedimentation of feces.

[0057] In one specific embodiment, the distance between the suction port 8 and the top of the separation tube 1 is one-third to one-half of the total height of the separation tube 1.

[0058] In one specific implementation, the distance between the suction port 8 and the top of the separation tube is half the total height of the separation tube 1. This position balances sedimentation efficiency and suction convenience. At this point, there is still enough space below the port for temporary storage of feces, and the water flow above is less disturbed, which can maximize the purity of the fecal sample.

[0059] In one specific implementation, the diameter of the suction port 8 is 1.5-3.2 cm.

[0060] In one specific embodiment, the diameter ratio of the suction pipe 4 to the separation pipe 1 is 1:(3-10). This ratio ensures that the diameter of the suction pipe is much smaller than that of the separation pipe, and the smaller diameter of the suction pipe can create local negative pressure, improving the targeting of fecal suction.

[0061] In one specific embodiment, the suction pipe 4 and the suction port 8 are sealed together by an interference fit or a sealing ring. The interference fit or sealing ring effectively prevents air from entering through the gaps in the port during suction, avoiding negative pressure failure that could lead to poor suction. At the same time, it prevents water from leaking from the port into the separation pipe, ensuring the sealing and efficiency of the suction process and reducing interference with the aquaculture environment.

[0062] In one specific implementation, the suction pipe 4 is an L-shaped bend. The L-shaped structure allows for the rotation of the suction pipe, with one end vertically inserted into the suction port 8 and the other end extending horizontally or obliquely to the feces accumulation area. This avoids interference between the suction pipe and other components of the aquaculture tank due to length or angle issues, and improves installation flexibility.

[0063] In one specific embodiment, the suction pipe 4 can be a U-shaped structure, a slanted straight bend structure, etc. Its specific shape, installation position and size can be adapted to the actual use requirements, and this utility model does not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0064] In one specific implementation, the suction pipe 4 can be a flexible hose. The hose material (such as rubber or plastic) can be flexibly bent to adapt to the spatial layout of different aquaculture tanks, making it easy to adjust the angle and position of the suction pipe to ensure that the suction port is accurately aligned with the fecal sedimentation area; at the same time, the hose has a certain degree of elasticity, which can reduce rigid collisions with the separation pipe or other components and reduce the risk of damage.

[0065] In one specific embodiment, the diameter of the suction pipe 4 is 15-32 mm.

[0066] In one specific embodiment, the suction pipe 4 can extend to the bottom of the aquaculture tank.

[0067] In one specific implementation, the height ratio of the plug 5 to the separation tube 1 is 1:(4-10). This ensures that the plug is deep enough so that the feces at the bottom will not overflow when it is removed, while also preventing the plug from becoming too heavy due to its excessive depth.

[0068] In one specific implementation, the plug 5 is a removable plug. The removable design allows for the collection of manure at any time as needed for research work, and also improves the ease of maintenance of the device.

[0069] In one specific implementation, the height of the plug 5 is 5-10 cm.

[0070] In one specific embodiment, the plug 5 and the lower end of the separator 1 are detachably and sealingly connected via a threaded structure or a snap-fit ​​structure. The threaded structure achieves a seal by rotating and tightening, ensuring a secure connection and good sealing performance; the snap-fit ​​structure allows for quick assembly and disassembly through elastic engagement, making operation convenient. Both methods ensure a tight fit between the plug and the lower end of the separator (preventing leakage) while allowing for quick disassembly, balancing sealing performance and maintenance efficiency.

[0071] The specific method of using the manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system of this utility model is as follows: Two hours after the last feeding of aquatic animals in the aquaculture tank each day, the aquaculture tank is first drained. Then, the manure collection device of this utility model is assembled onto the drain pipe 2 of the aquaculture tank. Before feeding the next day, the device is removed from the drain pipe 2 and kept vertically for half an hour. Then, the upper layer of water in the separation tube is siphoned out until the water level in the separation tube drops below the height of the plug. After that, the plug is removed, and the bottom water containing manure in the plug is poured into a centrifuge bottle of appropriate size. Centrifuge at 4000 rpm. After centrifugation, the supernatant is discarded. Finally, the manure at the bottom of the centrifuge bottle is scraped with a spatula, placed in a clean container, and stored in a frozen environment for subsequent experimental analysis. Clean the plug, assemble the manure collection device, and collect manure again the next day until enough manure samples are collected.

[0072] Example 2

[0073] A manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system is composed of two single-trough manure collection devices as described in Example 1, forming a double-trough manure collection device. A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram is shown below. Figure 2 As shown, the dual-trough fecal collection device includes:

[0074] Two separation pipes 1, with a drain opening 7 and a suction port 8 on the side of the separation pipe 1. The drain opening 7 is located above the suction port 8 along the height direction of the separation pipe 1.

[0075] Two first drain pipes 2, one end of the first drain pipe 2 is connected to the drain opening 7, and the other end is connected to the second drain pipe 3;

[0076] One second drain pipe 3 is connected to the first drain pipe 2 to form a drainage channel, and the two first drain pipes share one second drain pipe;

[0077] Two suction pipes 4, one end of which is connected to the suction port 8, and the other end extends to the fecal collection area;

[0078] And two plugs 5, which are connected to the lower end of the separation pipe 1, and the plugs 5 form a fecal sedimentation tank.

[0079] The feces collection device in Example 2 has a dual-tank structure, specifically comprising two independent functional units for feces separation, sedimentation, and collection. This dual-tank feces collection device has a larger overall volume compared to a single-tank device, and the two functional units can be arranged symmetrically or in separate zones. The second drain pipe 3 of this feces collection device extends outward through the bottom wall of the aquaculture tank 6; the aquaculture tank 6, in conjunction with the feces collection device, constitutes a feces collection system.

[0080] Compared to single-tank manure collection devices, dual-tank manure collection systems offer significant advantages in terms of improved collection efficiency, stability, operational flexibility, and functional adaptability. Specifically: First, the physical structure of two independent separation tanks increases efficiency by approximately 100% compared to a single-tank system. Second, it offers greater functional expandability, allowing for differentiated collection based on the characteristics of manure from different aquatic animal stages or feeding habits. This can be achieved by adjusting the structural parameters of the two tanks (separation pipe diameter, opening position, and sedimentation tank depth), for example, separately separating highly suspended fresh manure from slowly settling fine manure particles. First, it avoids the problem of low sample purity caused by mixing different types of feces in a single tank, making it more suitable for aquaculture experiments that require differentiation of fecal composition and excretion stages. Second, it has good balance, reducing damage to the tank drain and extending the life of the aquaculture system. Third, it significantly enhances the ability to resist disturbance. In a single tank, the settled feces are easily resuspended and lost due to aquatic animal activity or water flow fluctuations. However, the independent sedimentation space of the dual tanks can maintain a stable sedimentation environment in the other tank when one tank is disturbed, greatly reducing the risk of overall fecal loss. This advantage is particularly prominent in scenarios with high aquaculture density and frequent water disturbances.

[0081] This utility model presents a manure collection device for flow-through aquaculture systems, which offers significant advantages over traditional manure collection devices (such as manually operated siphons). These advantages are primarily reflected in four core dimensions: improved manure collection efficiency, enhanced manure sample quality, reduced stress, and all-weather operation. Firstly, it significantly improves work efficiency. This device enables automatic manure collection from multiple tanks simultaneously, increasing efficiency by more than 20 times without requiring large-scale modifications to the existing tank structure. Components are quickly assembled via detachable connections. Secondly, it improves manure sample quality. Through the coordinated design of the separation pipe, suction pipe, and plug, it accurately captures and concentrates deposited manure in the sedimentation tank, effectively preventing manure loss due to animal activity and overflow, or deviations in sample composition from normal levels due to siphon operation. This ensures that the obtained manure samples closely match actual aquaculture conditions in terms of excretion volume and composition, providing accurate and reliable sample support for subsequent experiments. Thirdly, it avoids interference with farmed animals caused by traditional manure collection methods. When collecting feces using the manual siphon method, someone needs to be on duty, inserting the tube into the water tank and constantly changing its position. The presence of the person and the tube can cause stress to the farmed animals, affecting their growth. Fourth, it allows for 24 / 7 sampling. Some aquatic animals produce more feces at night, which is difficult to manage manually for extended periods. This feces collection device can collect feces from different times after meals, especially feces produced at night.

[0082] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating this utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system, characterized in that, include: The separation pipe (1) has a drain opening (7) and a suction port (8) on its side. The drain opening (7) is located above the suction port (8) along the height direction of the separation pipe (1). The first drain pipe (2) has one end connected to the drain opening (7) and the other end connected to the second drain pipe (3); The second drain pipe (3) is connected to the first drain pipe (2) to form a drainage channel; A suction pipe (4) is provided, one end of which is connected to the suction port (8), and the other end extends to the fecal accumulation area. And a plug (5), which is connected to the lower end of the separation pipe (1) and forms a fecal sedimentation tank.

2. The manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drain opening (7) and the suction port (8) are spaced apart along the axial direction of the separation pipe (1), and the drain opening (7) and the suction port (8) are distributed relative to each other in the radial direction of the separation pipe (1).

3. The manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The distance between the drainage opening (7) and the top of the separation pipe (1) is within one-fifth of the total height of the separation pipe (1).

4. The manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The distance between the suction port (8) and the top of the separation pipe (1) is one-third to one-half of the total height of the separation pipe (1).

5. The manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealing gasket is provided at the drain opening (7) of the separation pipe (1).

6. The manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The suction pipe (4) and the suction port (8) are sealed together by an interference fit or a sealing ring.

7. The manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The suction pipe (4) is a flexible hose.

8. The manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plug (5) is a detachable plug, and the plug (5) and the lower end of the separation tube (1) are detachably sealed and connected through a threaded structure or a snap-fit ​​structure.

9. The manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fecal collection device can be a single-trough structure or a multi-trough structure.

10. The manure collection device for a flow-through aquaculture system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow-through aquaculture system consists of several aquaculture tanks (6) connected in parallel within the same inlet and outlet system. The second drain pipe (3) of the manure collection device extends outward through the bottom wall of the aquaculture tank (6).

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