Systems and methods for high-density polychaete production

Abstract

A system and method for high density polychaete production, wherein polychaetes are cultivated in at least one production unit (100) by supplying them with seawater and feed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for high-intensity polychaete production as described in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to Claim 11 a method for producing polychaetes at high density as described in the preamble of

Background Art

[0003] In the livestock industry, solutions for sustainable development are constantly being sought. Currently, research has been conducted suggesting that it is preferable to use polychaetes in the feed for fish and other animals based on the fatty acid composition and essential amino acid content of the polychaetes, which are annelids. Other uses of polychaetes include uses where polychaetes replace other raw materials with low sustainability such as cosmetics.

[0004] Currently, there is no solution for a method that provides large-scale polychaete production.

[0005] Furthermore, there is no solution for a method that provides continuous polychaete production.

[0006] Furthermore, there is no solution for a method that provides high-density polychaete production.

[0007] Furthermore, there is no solution for a method that provides high-density polychaete production and whether such production is suitable for the farming of various species of polychaetes.

[0008] Furthermore, there is no solution for how to provide high-density polychaete production, and there is no solution for a method corresponding to light, sound, temperature, water quality adjustment, or the application of polychaete farming feed because such production systematically affects the desired production volume of farmed polychaetes.

[0009] Furthermore, the production of marine proteins and fats is also necessary. The current production volume is not sufficient to meet the market needs.

[0010] Also, for example, it is necessary to produce feed near the production sites of fish that require large amounts of feed.

[0011] This is the need for polychaete production for use in feed for other species and livestock.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need for a system and method to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0013] The main object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for large-scale polychaete production.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that enable continuous polychaete production.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that enable high-density polychaete production.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that enable sludge, waste, or other organic materials to be used as feed for polychaetes directly or after pretreatment or through biological conversion.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a more compact and space-saving system.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide an energy and resource-efficient system.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that can be easily expanded by including modules.

[0020] An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method designed for simple and effective feeding and harvesting.

[0021] A further object of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0022] A system for high-density polychaete production according to the present invention is defined by the technical features of claim 1. Preferred features of this system are described in the dependent claims.

[0023] A method for high-density polychaete production according to the present invention is Claim 11 defined by the technical features of. Preferred features of this method are described in the dependent claims.

[0024] A system for high-density polychaete production according to the present invention comprises a plurality of units that can be divided into modules, enabling an easily expandable system.

[0025] The system according to the present invention comprises at least one aquaculture unit. The at least one aquaculture unit comprises at least one inlet at a first end for supplying water, preferably seawater, and feed from a feeding unit, an outlet at a second end for discharging water and excess feed, and at least one removable tray for the aquaculture of polychaetes.

[0026] According to the present invention, the feed may be sludge / waste for direct use, such as organic waste such as fish farm sludge, compost, or food waste, garbage or other organic materials etc. Also, the feed may be pre-treated sludge waste, for example, by water separation, sterilization, stabilization, hydrolysis or dissolution, sieving, etc.

[0027] Alternatively, the feed may be sludge / waste converted into other biomass (after pretreatment) such as microorganisms, bacteria, microalgae, or an enrichment of organic connections based on biological production such as polyhydroxyalkanoates.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the cultivation unit comprises a plurality of removable trays arranged in series in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation unit.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the cultivation unit comprises several rows of removable trays or a series of removable trays in the height direction.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention, at least one tray comprises at least one longitudinally extending partition wall forming at least two longitudinally extending parallel compartments or chutes within the tray.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, at least one tray comprises a fixed or replaceable riffled bottom.

[0032] According to a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention, at least one tray comprises means at its ends to allow water and feed to flow into and out of the tray.

[0033] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the cultivation unit is formed by a housing that longitudinally surrounds at least one tray or a series of trays with an interval for forming an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber at each end of at least one tray or a series of trays.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the system includes two or more aquaculture units.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises at least one harvesting unit adapted to sort harvested polychaetes ready for harvesting from immature polychaetes, spatfall, eggs, water, and feed.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises at least one seeding unit adapted to seed empty trays based on the selected immature polychaetes, spatfall, and eggs and fresh feed.

[0037] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the system can also use once-spawning polychaetes. In such an embodiment, the polychaetes are harvested before spawning, and then some of the polychaetes are transferred to a separate unit for the production of eggs / spatfall that can be used in the seeding unit.

[0038] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, when the polychaetes are a species that spawns pelagically, an additional harvesting unit that can recover eggs from the effluent water from the aquaculture unit is used, i.e., an egg collector is formed and then seeded as described above.

[0039] According to a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the system comprises one or more means for exposing the cultured polychaetes to a specific temperature, specific light, or specific sound in order to affect the growth, development, and composition of the polychaetes.

[0040] A method for producing polychaetes at high density according to the present invention includes culturing polychaetes in at least one tray within at least one aquaculture unit by supplying seawater and feed.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the method includes initially sowing polychaetes in at least one empty tray.

[0042] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the method includes removing the polychaetes ready for harvest from the cultivation unit and separating the polychaetes ready for harvest from immature polychaetes, larvae, eggs, water, and feed.

[0043] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the method includes sowing the separated immature polychaetes, larvae, and eggs together with feed in an empty tray and inserting the tray into the cultivation unit for a new production cycle.

[0044] According to a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the method includes performing self-pealing of the harvested polychaetes.

[0045] According to a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the method includes using polychaetes that spawn only once. The method further includes harvesting the polychaetes before spawning and then transferring a part of the polychaetes to a separate or similar container for the production of eggs / larvae used in the sowing unit as described above.

[0046] According to a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the method includes using polychaetes that are pelagic egg-laying species, recovering the eggs from the effluent water from the cultivation unit, and then sowing as described above.

[0047] According to a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the method includes exposing the cultivated polychaetes to a specific temperature, specific light, or specific sound in order to affect the growth, development, and composition of the polychaetes.

[0048] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the method includes repeating the steps for all trays in the production unit.

[0049] Therefore, after the initial seeding, further production of polychaetes will be based on immature polychaetes, larvae, eggs, i.e., the offspring of the first production. However, in order to ensure a healthy population of polychaetes, it may sometimes be preferable to introduce fresh polychaetes.

[0050] Accordingly, the present invention provides a system and method for high-density polychaete production. By using a plurality of production units, continuous polychaete production can be achieved because when polychaetes are harvested from one production unit, another production unit can continue production.

[0051] The present invention enables the use of immature polychaetes, larvae, and eggs for a new production cycle.

[0052] Further preferred features and advantageous details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments, the claims, and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0053]

Figure 1a

Figure 1b

Figure 1c

Figure 1d

Figure 1e

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4a

Figure 4b

Figure 4c

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0054] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] The system for high-density polychaete production according to the present invention comprises a plurality of units that can be divided into modules enabling an easily expandable system. The main components of the system are at least one culture unit 100 for culturing polychaetes and a feeding unit 400. The system also preferably includes at least one harvesting unit 500 and at least one seeding unit 700.

[0056] First, referring to FIGS. 1a to 1e, a conceptual diagram of polychaete production in a culture unit 100 according to an embodiment of the system according to the present invention is shown.

[0057] According to the present invention, at least one culture unit 100 is formed by a housing 110 that is mainly rectangular in the embodiment, and at least one end thereof is provided with a door, lid, or port that is removable or can be opened to achieve access to the inside. In a further embodiment, the upper surface is also removable. Further, the housing 110 can be arranged on a support structure 200 having one or more legs 210.

[0058] According to the present invention, the aquaculture unit 100 includes at least one removable tray 300 housed within the housing 110 and removably disposed within the housing 110. Further, the aquaculture unit 100 includes at least one inlet 120 at a first end for supplying water, preferably seawater, and feed, and provides a continuous or discontinuous flow of water through the aquaculture unit 100 and further includes at least one outlet 130 at a second end for discharging water to effect the discharge of excess feed.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water supply is effected by a suitable controllable pump unit 170 (see FIG. 3). The pump unit 170 has its outlet side disposed at the inlet 120 via one or more controllable valves 171, and its inlet side is disposed in a water reservoir, preferably a seawater reservoir. More typically, the outlet 130 of at least one aquaculture unit 100 is disposed at the inlet side of a controllable pump 180 for discharging water and excess feed. This controllable pump 180 will typically have its outlet side disposed in a water treatment unit / system 190. This water treatment unit / system 190 is configured to treat the discharged water for reuse or environmental water discharge, as shown in FIG. 3. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water discharged from the treatment unit / system 190 for reuse is supplied to the water reservoir or directly to the above-described pump unit 170, thus effecting water recycling. Thereby, the water consumption is reduced, and thus the environmental footprint is also reduced.

[0060] The above-described removable or openable side, door, lid, or port of at least one aquaculture unit 100 is preferably disposed at the outlet side of the housing 110.

[0061] The housing 110 surrounds at least one tray 300 with a gap, and at least at its ends, it is provided with an inlet chamber 121 that is in fluid communication with the inlet 120 and an outlet chamber 131 that is in fluid communication with the outlet 130. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inlet chamber 121 is formed within the housing 110 by a vertically extending wall 122, and this wall 122 also functions as a stopper for at least one tray 300 within the aquaculture unit 100. In an alternative embodiment, the vertically extending wall 122 is replaced by a beam that extends vertically on each side of the housing 110 and functions as a stopper for at least one tray 300. In yet another alternative embodiment, the above-described guide or rail 140 at the rear end, that is, the end facing the inlet chamber 121, comprises at least one vertically extending member that functions as a stopper for at least one tray. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the above-described inlet 120 and outlet 130 are arranged at the lower part of the housing 110. The arrangement of the inlet 120 at the lower part is advantageous in that it avoids the sedimentation of the feed within the inlet chamber 121, thereby ensuring that the sedimentation of the feed occurs within the above-described at least one tray 300.

[0062] The housing 110 further comprises a pair of longitudinal guides or rails 140 for arranging the above-described at least one removable tray 300 within the housing 110. The removable tray 300 is mainly rectangular in the illustrated embodiment, has a shape and size adapted to the interior of the housing for accommodation within the housing, and is movable on the above-described guides or rails 140.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the housing 110 is configured to accommodate a plurality of removable trays 300 not only in the longitudinal direction but also in its height direction, as will be further described below.

[0064] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1b, the cultivation unit 100 includes a plurality of trays 300 arranged in series in the longitudinal direction (three trays 300 arranged in series in the illustrated embodiment), and a plurality of trays 300 arranged side by side in the height direction (12 rows of trays arranged in the height direction in the illustrated embodiment).

[0065] According to a further embodiment of at least one removable tray 300, the at least one removable tray 300 includes at least one longitudinally extending partition 311, as shown in FIG. 1d, and forms at least two longitudinally extending parallel compartments or shoots 320 within the above-described removable tray 300. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two longitudinally extending parallel partitions 311 spaced apart such that the interior of the removable tray 300 is divided into three longitudinally extending compartments or shoots 320.

[0066] According to a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the removable tray 300 further includes a riffled bottom 321. In the illustrated embodiment, it is within the above-described longitudinally extending compartment or shoot 320. According to the present invention, the riffled bottom 321 may be fixed or exchangeable. This riffled bottom 321 is adapted to the polychaetes to be cultivated. By using an exchangeable riffled bottom 321, the profile of the riffled bottom 321 can not only be adapted to the polychaetes to be cultivated, but also be exchanged according to the user's desires. For example, as shown in FIG. 1e, different profiles of riffled bottoms 321 having different cross-sections such as V-shaped, square, triangular, etc. can be used. The above-described riffles are on the bottom extending in the lateral direction, and there is a bottom having protrusions that form recesses for the cultivation of polychaetes between the protrusions.

[0067] The above-described removable tray 300 further includes means 330 that enable water and feed to flow into and out of the removable tray 300 when the tray is inserted into the aquaculture unit 100. Thereby, when a plurality of trays 300 are arranged in series, water and feed can flow from one tray 300 to an adjacent tray 300, and it enables the flow from the inlet chamber 121 to an adjacent tray 300 and the flow from an adjacent tray 300 to the outlet chamber 131. In the illustrated embodiment, this feature means 330 is preferably formed by holes or openings 330 at the upper part of the end wall of the removable tray 300. When the tray 300 includes a plurality of parallel compartments or shoots 320, the above-described holes or openings 330 are arranged in fluid communication with the respective compartments or shoots 320 to enable inflow into and outflow from the tray 300. In an alternative embodiment, the end wall of the tray 300 includes recesses that enable inflow into and outflow from the tray 300. Other alternatives will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0068] In relation to the above-described holes or openings 330, preferably, corresponding sealing means or joints (male / female) (not shown) are arranged to provide a watertight connection of the trays 300 arranged in series.

[0069] The above-described vertically extending wall 122 of the inlet chamber 121 further includes a hole or opening (not shown) adapted to the hole or opening 330 in the tray 300 arranged within the housing 110 to enable fluid communication between the inlet chamber 121 and the end of the tray 300 facing the inlet chamber 121.

[0070] For example, as shown in FIG. 1c, it is further preferred to arrange locking means 340 in the form of clips 340 disposed on the opposing ends of two trays 310 arranged in series in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110, and the clips 340 hold / lock two trays 300 arranged in series with each other. The clip 340 is easily removable when the above-described trays 300 are separated. Other means for holding two trays 300 together will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the above-described removable tray 300 can be easily inserted and retrieved through the above-described longitudinal guide or rail 140 from a removable or openable side, door, lid, or port on the outlet side of the housing 110. The above-described locking means 340 ensures that all trays 300 arranged in series are easily retrieved from the aquaculture unit 100 by pulling the first tray 300 arranged in series.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the aquaculture unit 100 may include a plurality of rows of at least one tray 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the aquaculture unit 100 has three trays 300 arranged in series for each row. The illustrated aquaculture unit 100 is further adapted to 12 rows of trays 300 in the height direction, providing a total of 108 trays for each aquaculture unit 100.

[0073] Accordingly, the housing 110 forms a container or tank for the tray 300, and the tray 300 is arranged such that a "dam" is formed between the inlet chamber 121 and the outlet chamber 131. The difference in the supply water level (water and sludge) between the inlet chamber 121 and the outlet chamber 131 is a hydraulic driving force passing through the compartments or shoots 320 in the tray 300. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the inlet chamber 121 has a sealed upper part so that it can be pressurized, particularly in the initial stage, to make the flow of water through the compartments or shoots 320 of the tray 300 faster.

[0074] In the latter sealed embodiment, the entire aquaculture unit 100 is pressurized by the aforementioned pump unit 170 to provide the necessary hydraulic driving force through the compartments or shoots 320 within the tray 300, thus eliminating the dependence on the level difference.

[0075] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the inlet chamber 121 and the outlet chamber 131 are each provided with a bottom valve 150 for rapid drainage when the cultured polychaetes are harvested and for drainage during maintenance or cleaning.

[0076] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the outlet chamber 131 and the inlet chamber 121 are provided with an overflow portion 160 to avoid possible damage and / or outflow of the aquaculture unit 100 in case the control of the fluid level for ensuring the desired water level within the aquaculture unit 100 fails.

[0077] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the outlet 130 is arranged in a device 132 for hydraulic control (regulation) of the fluid level within the aquaculture unit 100. For example, this device 132 is at least one controllable valve or an overflow device (box).

[0078] The aforementioned aquaculture unit 100 may be arranged as a module within a larger system. Such a plurality of aquaculture units 100 are arranged on a common support structure 200 such that a module-based system is realized. When several such modules / aquaculture units 100 are arranged relative to each other, the inlets 120 and outlets 130 of each aquaculture unit 100 may be arranged in an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold that separately control the inlets and outlets of the aquaculture unit 100. Of course, separate inlets and outlets may be used, but using a manifold saves space.

[0079] According to the present invention, the polychaetes to be cultured can use sludge or waste such as fish farm sludge as feed, or can use other types of feed, organic particles or materials as described above.

[0080] According to the present invention, the system comprises at least one feeding unit 400 for supplying feed to the culture unit 100. The feed can be supplied to the culture unit 100 directly through a dedicated inlet in the culture unit 100 or through the water flow from the water pump unit 170 via one or more controllable valves 401.

[0081] The feeding unit 400 is adapted for feed treatment, i.e., sludge treatment in the illustrated embodiment. The feeding unit 400 comprises at least one controllable pump 402 for supplying feed to the water flow or directly to the culture unit 100 with respect to at least one tray 300 through at least one dedicated inlet (not shown) in the culture unit 100. The feeding unit 400 is supplied with feed from a feed reservoir.

[0082] The feeding unit 400 according to the present invention is adapted to supply feed according to a desired feeding regime, for example, at high or low frequencies, continuously or discontinuously, according to high or low concentrations, etc.

[0083] When the feed is supplied to the water flow, for example, it is conceivable to increase the water flow to facilitate the conveyance of the feed to the culture unit 100 and then stop the water flow to deposit the feed in the culture unit 100. For example, feeds having different proportions of dry matter, for example, feeds having 1% to about 50% dry matter can be used.

[0084] According to a further embodiment of the system, the cultivation unit 100 comprises one or more sensors or sensor systems for controlling the cultivation of polychaetes. Examples of such systems are temperature, light, weight, flow sensors, water content, access to feed, flow sensors, turbidity, oxygen content, flow velocity, etc., and one or more of these may be arranged at both the inlet and the outlet for monitoring the cultivation, and may thus be used to control at least one supply unit 400 and the supply of water. Further, the sensor or sensor system may be used to indicate that the cultivated polychaetes are ready for harvesting.

[0085] According to a further embodiment of the system, the cultivation unit 100 comprises one or more means or systems for exposing the cultivated polychaetes to a specific temperature, a specific light or a specific sound in order to affect the growth, development and composition of the polychaetes.

[0086] According to a further embodiment, the cultivation unit 100 comprises means for changing / adjusting the internal flow with respect to sedimentation.

[0087] According to a further embodiment of the cultivation unit 100, the cultivation unit 100 comprises means for additionally supplying water and / or light.

[0088] Next, refer to FIG. 2, which is a conceptual diagram of an example of the harvesting unit 500 according to the present invention. The harvesting unit 500 according to this embodiment includes a funnel portion 520, a screen or sieve portion 530, and a support structure 510 for arranging a sedimentation tank or container 540. The funnel portion 520 is disposed at the uppermost part within the support structure 510, and when the harvesting of the polychaetes is ready, the materials (water, sludge, cultured polychaetes) from the tray 300 taken out from the aquaculture unit 100 are put in. The screen or sieve portion 530 is disposed below the funnel portion 520. This screen or sieve portion 530 is adapted to separate the polychaetes ready for harvesting from the remaining materials (water, sludge, cultured polychaetes not ready for harvesting (immature polychaetes, larvae, eggs)). For this purpose, the screen or sieve portion 530 has a mesh size adapted to stop the polychaetes of harvestable size and allow all other materials (immature polychaetes, larvae, eggs, water, feed (sludge)) to pass through.

[0089] Below the screen or sieve portion 530, a sedimentation tank or container 540 is disposed. This sedimentation tank or container 540 has an open surface facing the screen or sieve portion 530 to receive the above materials not selected by the screen or sieve portion 530.

[0090] The separated polychaetes ready for harvesting, selected by the screen or sieve portion 530, are then transferred to the self-peeling unit 600.

[0091] Sludge, immature polychaetes, larvae, and eggs are separated from the water in the sedimentation tank or container 540, for example, by removing the water with a controllable pump 550 whose inlet side is connected to the upper part of the sedimentation tank or container 540 and whose outlet side is connected to the water treatment unit / system 190. Excess sludge (a part of the sludge) containing immature polychaetes, larvae, and eggs is removed from the sedimentation tank or container 540 and transferred to the seeding unit 700. For example, the excess sludge is transferred to the seeding unit 700 by using a controllable pump 701 connected to the outlet at the lower part of the sedimentation tank or container 540 via one or more controllable valves 702, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0092] The remaining water and the remaining sludge are removed from the sedimentation tank or container 540 and discharged to a waste outlet or a biological residue treatment unit / system 800 connected to the sedimentation tank or container 540 via one or more controllable valves 801 and pumps 802. The seeding unit 700 is connected to the feeding unit 400 via one or more controllable valves 403 for supplying feed to the seeding unit 700. In the seeding unit 700, empty trays 300 are prepared for a new production cycle in the cultivation unit 100. By seeding / distributing the excess sludge containing immature polychaetes, larvae, and eggs together with new fresh feed (sludge in the illustrated embodiment) into the empty trays 300 and then reinserting the filled trays 300 into the cultivation unit 100 for a new production cycle, a new generation of polychaetes that can be cultivated in aquaculture is ensured.

[0093] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned self-peeling unit 600 is formed by a tank or container 601 in which the harvested polychaetes are processed. The tank or container 601 is provided with or connected to means for adjusting / operating the water quality to different qualities, such as, but not limited to, the use of chemicals and / or gases. The desired quality will depend on what kind of polychaetes and what results are to be obtained. In the case of Capitella Capitata, for example, the water quality is adjusted by reducing the oxygen content so that the polychaetes release a bursa (slime bag), and then the polychaetes are transferred to the polychaete pretreatment unit 900 and processed for the purpose of constituting components in fish feed or other uses. The residues in the self-peeling unit 600 may be transferred to the biological residue treatment unit / system 800 for further treatment.

[0094] Next, refer to FIG. 3, which is a conceptual diagram of the system according to the present invention. Also, this FIG. 3 shows the flow of feed, water, and polychaetes in the system and the process thereof. Next, the production of polychaetes according to the present invention will be described.

[0095] After initially inoculating the polychaetes in the tray 300, the tray 300 is inserted into the cultivation unit 100 for cultivation. The cultivation of the polychaetes in the cultivation unit 100 is carried out by supplying water and feed over a desired production cycle. Depending on the species to be bred, it is generally considered to take about two months until the polychaetes are ready for harvest.

[0096] When the polychaetes are ready for harvest, the supply of water and feed to the cultivation unit 100 is stopped, and the drainage of the cultivation unit 100 is carried out. Next, the tray 300 is removed from the cultivation unit 100 and separated from each other if arranged in series. The removed tray 300 is transported to the harvesting unit 500 by a conveying means such as a transportable truck 950, a manipulator system, or a similar system, and the contents of the removed tray 300 are put into the harvesting unit 500.

[0097] Referring now to FIGS. 4a - 4c, a conceptual diagram of the extraction process, the conveyance process to the harvesting unit 500, and the conveyance process for transporting to the seeding unit 700 after the harvesting unit 500 has been emptied is shown. To transport the above-described tray 300, it is preferable to use a transport unit 960, which is adapted to receive the above-described tray 300 and is provided with locking means for fixing the tray 300 to the transport unit 960. More preferably, the transport unit 960 is provided with an opening 961 that enables access to the tray 300 being transported, whereby a suitable tool (not shown), such as a winch wire or a manipulator arm, can be inserted to engage with the tray 300 being transported, thereby enabling the tray 300 to be pulled out from the housing 110 to the transport unit 960. In one embodiment according to the present invention, the tray 300 may be provided with a hook 962 for easy engagement by a suitable tool.

[0098] An example of the use of the truck 950 is shown in FIGS. 4b - 4c, where the above-described transport unit 960 is arranged on the truck 950. FIG. 4b shows a conceptual diagram of the case where the truck 950 extracts the tray 300 from the aquaculture unit 100 via the transport unit 960, and FIG. 4c shows a conceptual diagram of the case where the truck 950 moves the emptied tray to the seeding unit 700 after the contents of the tray 300 have been put into the harvesting unit 500 by the rotational movement of the transport unit 960 having the tray 300.

[0099] The polychaetes ready for harvesting are sorted within the harvesting unit 500 as described above, and the contents remaining immature polychaetes, larvae, and eggs, and a part of the sedimented feed (sludge) are transferred to the seeding unit 700. The emptied tray 300 is seeded with fresh / new feed (sludge) from the feeding unit 400 and the aforementioned immature polychaetes, larvae, and eggs, and the tray 300 is again prepared to enter the cultivation unit 100 for a new production cycle. In embodiments having polychaete species that spawn floatingly, i.e., spawn into the fluid flow, an additional harvesting unit (not shown) is arranged at the outlet 130 of the cultivation unit 100. The additional harvesting unit is adapted to capture the eggs in its discharge water, i.e., to form an egg collector.

[0100] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, prior to seeding by the seeding unit 700, it comprises a separate container (not shown) or the like for producing eggs / larvae.

[0101] According to a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention, it comprises one or more units for converting sludge or waste into biomass / bacteria for use as feed for polychaetes.

[0102] According to a further embodiment, the species of polychaetes to be cultivated are cultivated on a hard surface and enter the water masses in the cultivation unit 100 for feed. In such a case, the bottom of the tray 300 can be adapted to the relevant species. In such a case, in the aforementioned tray 300, only a small amount of sludge / waste is required, and the feeding is adapted to the supply of fluid to the cultivation unit 100, i.e., the fluid flow through the cultivation unit 100.

[0103] The advantage of having a plurality of aquaculture units 100 as modules within the system is that by performing the initial seeding and the start of aquaculture at different start times, the polychaetes within different aquaculture units 100 can be harvested at different times. As a result, while any one of the aquaculture units 100 is being harvested, the remaining aquaculture units 100 will continue production, and thus continuous production of polychaetes is achieved.

[0104] Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for industrializing the continuous production of polychaetes, and in particular, a system for using polychaetes as a content of fish feed. However, polychaetes may also have other fields of use such as feed for agricultural cultivation, feed for livestock and ornamental fish, bait, fishing bait, and cosmetics.

[0105] The described embodiments of the system and its components further have space-saving requirements.

[0106] The present invention further provides a system in which feeding and harvesting are simple and effective, and which can be easily expanded by adding additional units / components of the system.

Claims

1. A system for high-density polychaete production, comprising: At least two aquaculture units (100), each aquaculture unit (100) having at least one inlet (110) at its first end for supplying water and feed from a water and feeding unit (400), and an outlet (130) at its second end for discharging water and excess feed, and being formed by a housing (110); The aquaculture unit (100) for culturing polychaetes comprises a plurality of trays (300) arranged side by side in the height direction of the housing (110), and the trays (300) are removable from the housing (110); Each stage of trays (300) comprises a plurality of trays (300) arranged in series in the longitudinal direction of the aquaculture unit (100); The housing (110) surrounds a series of trays (300) in the longitudinal direction with an interval for forming an inlet chamber (121) and an outlet chamber (131) at each end, the inlet chamber (121) being in fluid communication with the inlet (120), and the outlet chamber (131) being in fluid communication with the outlet (130); At the ends of the trays (300), means (330) are provided to allow water and feed to flow into and out of the trays (300). A system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the trays (300) comprises at least one longitudinally extending partition (311) forming at least two longitudinally extending parallel compartments or shoots (320) within the tray (300).

3. The system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the trays (300) comprises a bottom (321) with fixed or replaceable irregularities.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one harvesting unit (500) adapted to sort polychaetes ready for harvesting from immature polychaetes, larvae, eggs, water, and feed.

5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising at least one seeding unit (700) adapted to seed empty trays (300) based on sorted immature polychaetes, larvae, eggs, and fresh feed.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one self-peeling unit (600).

7. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises one or more separate units for the production of eggs / larvae, used in said seeding unit.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an additional harvesting unit that can be placed at the outlet of said at least one cultivation unit (100), said additional harvesting unit being adapted to capture eggs in its discharge water.

9. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises one or more units for converting sludge or waste into biomass / bacteria for use as feed for said polychaetes.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises one or more means for exposing the cultivated polychaetes to a specific temperature, a specific light, or a specific sound in order to affect the growth, development, and composition of the polychaetes.

11. A method for producing polychaetes at high density using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that seawater and feed are supplied into said inlet (120) from a feeding unit (400), and the polychaetes are cultivated in said tray (300) by discharging water and excess feed from said outlet (130). Method.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one empty tray (300) is initially seeded with polychaetes.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized by taking out polychaetes ready for harvesting from at least one of said cultivation units (100), and separating the polychaetes ready for harvesting from immature polychaetes, larvae, eggs, water, and feed.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized by seeding the separated immature polychaetes, larvae, and eggs together with feed into an empty tray (300), and inserting said tray (300) into at least one of said cultivation units (100) for a new production cycle.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized by performing self-peeling of the harvested polychaetes.

16. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that polychaetes that spawn only once and / or species that spawn pelagically are used.

17. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that polychaetes are harvested before spawning, and then a part of the polychaetes is transferred to a separate unit for egg / larva production before seeding in an empty tray (300).

18. The method according to claim 11 or claim 14, characterized in that polychaetes that spawn pelagically are used, eggs are captured from the effluent water from the culture unit (100), and then seeding is carried out.

19. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the cultured polychaetes are exposed to a specific temperature, a specific light or a specific sound in order to affect the growth, development and composition of the polychaetes.

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