Land-based aquaculture installation with sustainable energy

Abstract

To provide an onshore culture facility using sustainable energy, capable of suitably controlling the temperature of culture water by utilizing heat in the natural world, and capable of being safely operated at a low cost without adding water to the culture water.SOLUTION: The land-based aquaculture system using sustainable energy includes a hot-heat source for supplying hot water heated by solar energy, hot-spring heat, waste water in a power plant, or incineration heat in an incineration plant, a cold-heat source for supplying cold water cooled by ground water, underground storage water, river water, lake water, agricultural water, or rainwater, and at least one of a low temperature difference power generation device, a photovoltaic power generation device, and a small hydroelectric power generation device. In particular, the present invention is configured to heat and / or cool the aquaculture water by circulating hot water from a hot heat source and / or cold water from a cold heat source, and performs auxiliary heating and / or cooling of the hot water from the hot heat source and / or the cold water from the cold heat source by electric power supplied from at least one of a low temperature difference power generation device, a solar power generation device, and a small hydroelectric power generation device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a land-based aquaculture facility that can be operated using sustainable energy, and in particular to a closed recirculating land-based aquaculture system (RAS). [Background technology]

[0002] It is estimated that the Earth's fossil fuels and nuclear fuels will be depleted by the end of this century, according to clear predictions. In other words, all types of energy resources on Earth, such as fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas), nuclear fuels, and methane hydrates, are expected to be depleted within about 100 years.

[0003] Another important problem currently facing humanity is global warming due to the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the Earth's thin atmospheric boundary layer, caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels. Sir David King, the UK government's chief scientific advisor, has described global warming as a greater threat than terrorism (Japan Times, February 4, 2005). According to recent supercomputer predictions (Saito and Wakashima, Green Life, March 2006), atmospheric CO2 concentrations will increase to 1,250 ppmv within 100 to 200 years.

[0004] Meanwhile, the urban environment in megacities like Tokyo is getting worse and worse. For example, in the capital region, NO2 concentrations are still increasing and exceed regulatory levels. The cause of the deterioration of the urban environment can be mainly attributed to the increase in automobiles in urban areas. This serious environmental problem is called "urban warming (or heat island)" and is caused by concentrated energy consumption in urban areas.

[0005] These two major factors have urged human beings to change their lifestyles and use renewable energy sources other than fossil fuels, such as solar, wind, ocean, geothermal and biomass.

[0006] In the field of land-based aquaculture facilities for cultivating marine products on land, electric wire heaters that generate resistance heat using transmitted electricity are used to heat the aquaculture water and increase its temperature, rather than using natural energy (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6653797 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] As described above, conventional land-based aquaculture tanks use heating equipment powered by an external power source. Furthermore, many aquaculture tanks are equipped with heating equipment but not cooling equipment. This is because the cost of cooling the aquaculture water is high, and cooling methods have been used, such as shading, adding water, or using air conditioning.

[0009] However, shading the water may not be enough to provide sufficient cooling, and adding water may cause changes in the composition of the culture water. Of course, the use of air conditioners does not utilize natural heat.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a land-based aquaculture facility that uses sustainable energy by utilizing natural heat and capable of appropriately controlling the temperature of the aquaculture water.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a land-based aquaculture facility that uses sustainable energy, utilizes natural heat, and can be operated safely at low cost without adding water to the aquaculture water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention provides a land-based aquaculture facility using sustainable energy, which includes a hot heat source that supplies hot water heated by solar heat, hot spring heat, wastewater heat from a power plant, or incineration heat from an incineration plant, a cold heat source that supplies cold water cooled by groundwater, underground storage water, river water, lake water, agricultural water, or rainwater, and at least one of a low temperature difference power generation device, a solar power generation device, and a small hydroelectric power generation device. In particular, the present invention is configured to heat and / or cool aquaculture water by circulating hot water from the hot heat source and / or cold water from a cold heat source, and to perform auxiliary heating and / or cooling of the hot water from the hot heat source and / or the cold water from the cold heat source using electricity supplied from at least one of the low temperature difference power generation device, the solar power generation device, and the small hydroelectric power generation device.

[0013] Utilizing natural heat and cold sources reduces both environmental impact and energy consumption (saving energy). In particular, because the aquaculture water is heated and / or cooled by circulating hot water from a heat source and / or cold water from a cold source, the heat is used as is and, after use, can be returned to nature or reused, resulting in almost no burden on the natural environment. Furthermore, supplemental heating and / or cooling can be performed using electricity generated by low-temperature differential power generation, solar power generation, and / or small-scale hydroelectric power generation, thereby solving power consumption issues with natural energy. Furthermore, the aquaculture water temperature can be appropriately controlled, and since no water is added to the aquaculture water, it is safe and can be operated at low cost. Furthermore, in a land-based aquaculture facility with a closed circulation system, the water flow generated by the pump can be recovered using small-scale hydroelectric power generation, thereby saving energy storage at night or enabling additional storage at night.

[0014] It is preferable that the tank comprises a tank body that contains the culture water and a water injection tank that is provided on the outside of the tank body so as to surround it, and that the tank is configured to inject and / or circulate hot water from a heat source or cold water from a cold source into the water injection tank.

[0015] In this case, it is more preferable that the water injection tank be formed between an insulating wall provided on the outside and a heat-conducting wall provided on the inside.

[0016] It is also preferable that the system be configured so that a pump installed in a waterway connecting the water tank and the septic tank is driven by electricity supplied from at least one of a low temperature difference power generation device, a solar power generation device, and a small hydroelectric power generation device.

[0017] It is also preferable that the low temperature difference power generation device includes a generator that generates power using the temperature difference between the hot water from the heat source and the cold water from the cold source.

[0018] It is also preferable that the solar power generation device includes a plurality of solar panels and a storage battery connected to the plurality of solar panels and storing the electric power from the plurality of solar panels.

[0019] It is also preferable that the small hydroelectric power generation device is configured to generate electricity using a hydroelectric generator provided in a waterway connecting the water tank and the septic tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, by utilizing natural heat and cold sources, both environmental impact and energy consumption (energy conservation) can be reduced. In particular, since the aquaculture water is heated and / or cooled by circulating hot water from a heat source and / or cold water from a cold source, the heat is used as is and, after use, can be returned to nature or reused, resulting in almost no burden on the natural environment. Furthermore, supplemental heating and / or cooling can be performed using electricity generated by low-temperature differential power generation, solar power generation, and / or small-scale hydroelectric power generation, thereby solving power consumption issues with natural energy. Furthermore, the aquaculture water temperature can be appropriately controlled, and since no water is added to the aquaculture water, it is safe and can be operated at low cost. Furthermore, in a land-based aquaculture facility that is a closed-loop circulation system, the water flow generated by the pump can be recovered by a small-scale hydroelectric power generation system, thereby saving energy storage at night or enabling additional electricity storage at night. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of one embodiment of a land-based aquaculture facility using sustainable energy according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of an aquarium in the land-based aquaculture facility of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the water tank of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a water tank and a septic tank in the land-based aquaculture facility of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of one embodiment of a land-based aquaculture facility using sustainable energy according to the present invention.

[0023] In Figure 1, 10 denotes an aquarium tank containing aquaculture water for land-based aquaculture of marine products such as fish and shrimp, 11 denotes a waterway for circulating the aquaculture water in this aquarium tank 10, 12 denotes a septic tank installed in the middle of waterway 11, 13 denotes a pump installed in the middle of waterway 11, and 14 denotes a small hydroelectric power generation device installed in the middle of waterway 11.

[0024] 1, 15 denotes a solar power generation system equipped with a plurality of solar panels 15a and a storage battery 15b that stores the power generated by these solar panels 15a, 16 denotes a water tank constituting a hot heat source of the present invention, and 17 denotes a water tank constituting a cold heat source of the present invention. Water tank (hot heat source) 16 is connectable to a solar water heater 18, a hot spring wastewater heat source 19, a thermal power plant wastewater heat source 20, and an incineration plant incineration heat source 21, and is configured to store hot water heated by circulating between these hot water sources. Water tank (cold heat source) 17 is connectable to a groundwater (well water) source (tank) 22, a river water / lake water source 23, an agricultural water source 24, and a rainwater source 25, and is configured to store cold water cooled by circulating between these cold water sources.

[0025] Furthermore, in Figure 1, 26 denotes a low temperature difference power generation device that generates electricity by utilizing temperature differences, 27 denotes an auxiliary heating and cooling device that auxiliary heats or cools hot or cold water, and 28 denotes a control device that electrically controls the land-based aquaculture facility. Although not shown in Figure 1, this control device 28 is electrically connected to the small hydroelectric power generation device 14, the solar power generation device 15, the low temperature difference power generation device 26, the pump 13, the auxiliary heating and cooling device 27, and other power equipment of the land-based aquaculture facility, and is configured to optimally control the operation of these devices by computer.

[0026] The water tank (hot heat source) 16 and the water tank (cold heat source) 17 are connected to a low temperature difference power generation device 26 and are configured to supply hot water and cold water having a temperature difference to the low temperature difference power generation device 26. The water tank (hot heat source) 16 and the water tank (cold heat source) 17 are also connected to a water injection tank 10b (described later) of the aquarium 10 via an auxiliary heating and cooling device 27 and are configured to supply and circulate hot water or cold water to the water injection tank 10b. The temperature of the culture water in the aquarium 10 can be controlled by controlling the amount (supply ratio) of hot water and cold water supplied to the water injection tank 10b. If the temperature of the hot water from the water tank (hot heat source) 16 is sufficiently high, heating by the auxiliary heating and cooling device 27 is unnecessary, and if the temperature of the cold water from the water tank (cold heat source) 17 is sufficiently low, cooling by the auxiliary heating and cooling device 27 is unnecessary.

[0027] The output power of the small hydroelectric power generation device 14 is applied to the storage battery 15b of the solar power generation device 15 and stored therein, and although not shown, the output power of the low temperature difference power generation device 26 is also applied to the storage battery 15b and stored therein. The output power of the low temperature difference power generation device 26 is applied to the auxiliary heating and cooling device 27 and used for auxiliary heating and auxiliary cooling. The output of the storage battery 15b is applied to the auxiliary heating and cooling device 27 and used for auxiliary heating and auxiliary cooling. Furthermore, although not shown, the output power of the small hydroelectric power generation device 14, the output power of the storage battery 15b, and the output power of the low temperature difference power generation device 26 are configured to be usable to drive the pump 13 and other power equipment of this land-based aquaculture facility.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the water tank 10 in this embodiment, FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of a part of the water tank 10, and FIG. 4 shows a cross section taken along line AA in FIG.

[0029] As shown in these figures, the aquarium 10 in this embodiment has a double structure consisting of an aquarium main body 10a containing the culture water and a water-filling layer 10b formed on the outer periphery and bottom of the aquarium. That is, the aquarium 10 has a double structure with a water-filling layer 10b formed on the outer periphery and bottom of the aquarium main body 10a containing the culture water, surrounding the aquarium main body 10a. A heat-insulating wall 10c is provided on the outermost side, and a heat-conducting wall 10d is provided on the inner side. The water-filling layer 10b is formed between the heat-insulating wall 10c and the heat-conducting wall 10d. Hot water from a heat source 16 or cold water from a cold source 17 is poured into the water-filling layer 10b and circulated. Using such a double-structure aquarium 10 improves the insulation and heat retention of the culture water, while also enhancing the heating effect of the hot water from the heat source 16 and the cooling effect of the cold water from the cold source 17.

[0030] 5 shows a schematic configuration of the water tank 10 and the septic tank 12 in this embodiment. However, in this figure, the pump 13 and the small hydroelectric power generation device 14 are omitted.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, the tank body 10a of the tank 10 is connected to a septic tank 12 via a waterway 11, and the aquaculture water contained in the tank body 10a is purified in the septic tank 12 before being returned to the tank body 10a. The septic tank 12 is equipped with an aquaculture water quality improvement device 12a that uses special ceramics to reduce the average particle size of water molecules, thereby decomposing organic sludge containing proteins such as feces from farmed fish and feed residues, thereby improving the quality of the aquaculture water without clogging the filter.

[0032] Although not shown, the tank body 10a of the tank 10 is equipped with a vertical-axis horizontal rotor that operates on the surface of the still water area, and an aeration header pipe installed on the water bottom directly below the horizontal rotor, and the air is supplied to the aeration header pipe from an air lift blower and released to generate large convection currents throughout the still water area. This creates a current in the culture water within the tank body 10a, preserving the water quality.

[0033] The small hydroelectric power generation device 14 recovers energy given to the waterway 11 by operating the pump 13 in a closed circulation facility. This small hydroelectric power generation device 14 recovers the energy of the water flow generated by the pump 13, making it possible to save stored energy at night or to store additional electricity at night. The small hydroelectric power generation device 14 can be implemented using commercially available micro hydroelectric power generation devices, pico hydroelectric power generation devices, or other small hydroelectric power generation devices.

[0034] The solar power generation device 15 generates solar power during the day and stores it for nighttime use, providing a backup power source and electrical energy for the aquaculture facility. This solar power generation device 15 can be implemented using a commonly available solar power generation device on the market.

[0035] The low temperature difference power generation device 26 generates power using the temperature difference between the hot water from the heat source 16 and the cold water from the cold heat source 17. This low temperature difference power generation device 26 can be implemented using a temperature difference power generation device that generates power using a Shinra turbine invented by Professor Emeritus Takeo Saito of Tohoku University, which rotates at a low temperature difference of 90°C (for example, the temperature difference power generation device described in JP 2005-291112 A).

[0036] The auxiliary heating and cooling device 27 uses electricity generated by the small hydroelectric power generation device 14, the solar power generation device 15 and / or the low temperature difference power generation device 26 to auxiliary heat the hot water from the heat source 16 or auxiliary cool the cold water from the cold heat source 17, and can be implemented using a general electric cooling device, electric heating device, or heat exchange device.

[0037] Next, the operation and effects of the land-based aquaculture equipment of this embodiment will be described.

[0038] In this embodiment, the culture water in the aquarium main body 10a is heated and / or cooled by circulating hot water from the heat source 16 and / or cold water from the cold source 17 in the water supply tank 10b of the aquarium 10. The hot water from the heat source 16 and the cold water from the cold source 17 are obtained from hot water sources and cold water sources present in nature, as shown in Table 1. The hot water source can provide hot water at 50 to 100°C, and the cold water source can provide cold water at around 15°C. [Table 1]

[0039] The temperature underground remains around 15°C throughout the year, and groundwater and river water do not rise as much as the temperature of aquariums. Groundwater (well water), underground storage water, river water, lake water, agricultural water, and rainwater are readily available as natural energy sources. Aquaculture water, on the other hand, must be maintained at an appropriate temperature, but a temperature range is acceptable. Therefore, utilizing natural heat sources to heat and cool aquaculture water achieves both environmental impact reduction and energy consumption reduction (energy conservation). In this way, by using heat as heat and returning it to nature after use, the burden on nature is virtually zero. As a result, land-based aquaculture facilities can be operated and maintained using sustainable energy.

[0040] The hot water from the heat source 16 and the cold water from the cold source 17 are subjected to auxiliary heating or auxiliary cooling by the auxiliary heating / cooling device 27 as necessary, and then injected into and / or circulated in the water injection tank 10b of the water tank 10. At this time, the auxiliary heating / cooling device 27 is driven using electricity generated by the small hydroelectric power generation device 14, the solar power generation device 15, and / or the low temperature difference power generation device 26. In other words, it is driven using electricity generated using natural energy.

[0041] Hot water from the heat source 16 and cold water from the cold source 17 are applied to the low temperature difference power generation device 26, and electricity is generated using the temperature difference between the hot water and cold water. In other words, electricity is generated using natural energy and supplied.

[0042] In a closed circulation type facility, the energy of the water flow generated by the pump 13 can be recovered by the small hydroelectric power generation device 14, which allows for energy savings, as well as saving on stored energy at night and enabling additional storage of electricity at night.

[0043] As described above, according to this embodiment, the aquaculture water is heated and / or cooled by circulating hot water from the heat source 16 and / or cold water from the cold source 17. This allows the heat to be used as is, and after utilization, the heat can be returned to nature or reused, resulting in almost no burden on the natural environment. Furthermore, supplemental heating and / or cooling can be performed using electricity generated by low-temperature difference power generation using the hot water from the heat source 16 and the cold water from the cold source 17, solar power generation, and small-scale hydroelectric power generation, thereby solving power consumption issues with natural energy. As a result, appropriate temperature control of the aquaculture water is possible using only sustainable energy, resulting in low costs. Furthermore, because the aquaculture water is not directly heated or cooled, no burden is placed on living organisms (such as farmed fish and beneficial bacteria in the tank). Since water does not need to be added or replaced, safe operation is possible. Furthermore, in land-based aquaculture facilities, which are closed circulation facilities, the water flow generated by the pump 13 can be recovered by the small hydroelectric power generation device 14, making it possible to save stored energy at night or to store additional electricity at night.

[0044] The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not limiting. The present invention can be embodied in various other modified and altered forms. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10. Aquarium 10a Aquarium body 10b Water injection layer 10c Insulated walls 10d Heat conduction wall 11 Waterways 12 Septic tank 12a Water quality improvement device for aquaculture 13 Pump 14 Small hydroelectric power generation equipment 15. Solar power generation equipment 15a Multiple solar panels 15b Storage battery 16 Water tank (heat source) 17 Water tank (cold source) 18 Solar water heater 19 Hot spring wastewater heat source 20 Thermal power plant wastewater heat source 21 Incinerator heat source 22 Groundwater (well water) source (tank) 23 River and lake water sources 24 Agricultural water sources 25 Rainwater source 26 Low temperature difference power generation device 27 Auxiliary heating and cooling device 28 Control Device

Claims

1. The system comprises a hot heat source that supplies hot water heated by solar heat, hot spring heat, wastewater heat at a power plant, or incineration heat at an incineration plant, a cold heat source that supplies cold water cooled by groundwater, underground storage water, river water, lake water, agricultural water, or rainwater, and at least one of a low temperature difference power generation device, a solar power generation device, and a small hydroelectric power generation device, A land-based aquaculture facility using sustainable energy, characterized in that it is configured to heat and / or cool aquaculture water by circulating hot water from the hot heat source and / or cold water from the cold heat source, and is configured to perform auxiliary heating and / or cooling of the hot water from the hot heat source and / or the cold water from the cold heat source using electricity supplied from at least one of the low temperature difference power generation device, the solar power generation device, and the small hydroelectric power generation device.

2. 2. The land-based aquaculture facility using sustainable energy as described in claim 1, characterized in that the aquaculture tank comprises a tank body that contains aquaculture water and a water injection tank that is provided on the outside of the tank body so as to surround it, and is configured to inject and / or circulate hot water from the heat source or cold water from the cold heat source into the water injection tank.

3. 3. The sustainable energy land-based aquaculture facility according to claim 2, characterized in that the water injection tank is formed between an insulating wall provided on the outside and a heat-conducting wall provided on the inside.

4. The land-based aquaculture facility using sustainable energy as described in claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to drive a pump installed in a waterway connecting an aquarium and a septic tank using electricity supplied from at least one of the low temperature difference power generation device, the solar power generation device, and the small hydroelectric power generation device.

5. The land-based aquaculture facility using sustainable energy as described in claim 1, characterized in that the low temperature difference power generation device is equipped with a generator that generates power from temperature difference by utilizing the temperature difference between the hot water from the heat source and the cold water from the cold heat source.

6. The sustainable energy land-based aquaculture facility described in claim 1, characterized in that the solar power generation device comprises a plurality of solar panels and a storage battery connected to the plurality of solar panels and storing electricity from the plurality of solar panels.

7. The land-based aquaculture facility using sustainable energy as described in claim 1, characterized in that the small hydroelectric power generation device is configured to generate electricity using a hydroelectric generator installed in a waterway connecting an aquarium and a septic tank.

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