Substrate and method for growing seaweeds, kelps or tunicates

Abstract

A textile substrate means (1) for growing seaweeds, kelps, or tunicates The textile substrate means (1) comprises threads of a biodegradable material, and the biodegradable material is of pulp origin. the textile substrate means (1) comprises a band shaped substrate means (10); the band shaped substrate means (10) comprises a woven substrate means (11) where a warp yarn (20) and a weft yarn (30) comprise the biodegradable material, and the woven substrate means (11) is woven with either three, four, five, six or seven weft yarns (30) per cm. The biodegradable material may be viscose or Lyocell. A method for growing seaweeds, kelps, or tunicates, is described. A method for harvesting the seaweeds, kelps, or tunicates and processing the seaweeds, kelps, or tunicates together with the textile substrate means (1), is described.

Description

[0001] SUBSTRATE AND METHOD FOR GROWING SEAWEEDS, KELPS OR TUNICATES

[0002] The invention relates to a textile substrate means for growing seaweeds, kelps or tunicates. More particularly, the textile substrate means comprises fibers of a biodegradable material, and the biodegradable material is of pulp origin, such as of wood pulp origin. The textile substrate means may be a textile fabric. Even more particularly, the biodegradable material may be viscose or Lyocell. The invention further relates to a method for growing seaweeds, kelps, or tunicates. More particularly the method relates to harvesting the seaweeds, kelps or tunicates and processing the organisms together with the textile substrate means, or alternatively, to process parts of the organisms together with the textile substrate means. The textile substrate means may be processed together with hapterons of the seaweeds and kelps, or together with hapterons and stipes of the seaweeds and kelps.

[0003] Kelps have been cultivated for many years. Kelps are often cultivated by use of parallel ropes extending substantially horizontally below the water surface. The ropes are inoculated with kelp spores and the hapteron of the kelp attaches to the rope. The kelp can be harvested by collecting the ropes with the kelp attached. The stipes are cut, so that the laminas and optionally the stipes can be harvested.

[0004] Overall, there are two methods for inoculating spores of kelp onto a substrate. The first method comprises to incubate a minor part of the growth substrate together with spores / gametophytes in a water tank. The minor part of the growth substrate may be a thin rope. The incubation is done at controlled conditions such as temperature, and light regime. Water in the tank is recycled and cleaned. The incubation period may be one to two months. The individual kelp plants have then grown to plants of a few millimetres of length. The minor part of the growth substrate and the major part of the growth substrate are assembled, transported to a growth side and positioned in sea water. The major part of the growth substrate may be a thicker rope and the minor part may we winded around the major part. The major part acts as a growth substrate as well as a load bearing component in the growth system. The second method comprises to mix the spores in a free-flowing water-based adhesive and to apply this mixture directly onto the growth substrate on site. The inoculated growth substrate is thereafter rested for about 0.5 to 2 hours such that the adhesive is absorbed in the growth substate, or at least better adsorbed to the surface of the growth surface. Thereafter, the inoculated growth substrate is positioned in sea water.

[0005] Ropes and fabrics may be made of natural materials and synthetic materials. Examples of natural materials are jute, hemp, cotton, wool, flax, and sisal. Examples of synthetic materials are polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0006] Ropes and fabrics of natural materials like hemp, sisal, and manila hemp are not suitable for long term exposure to sea water as the material decays and rots. Therefore, the major part of the growth substrate comprises a rope made of synthetic fibers. Synthetic ropes are made from non-renewable sources and are not recyclable. The synthetic ropes are water repellent. A hydroscopic surface is preferable for applying spores dispersed in a water-based adhesive.

[0007] The growth substrate should sink quickly after positioning in the sea water to avoid that the growth substrate floats on the water surface. Fibers with a large water absorption capacity will sink faster compared to fibers of low water absorption capacity. A dry growth substrate will contain air between the fibers. This air will be released from the growth substrate when the growth substrate is dived in water. Air may be released from the growth substrate in bubbles, and the bubbles may tear apart the solidified adhesive with dispersed spores. Parts of the solidified adhesive may then loosen from the substrate as small flakes. The growth substrate may be wetted prior to inoculation to overcome this issue. Efficient wetting requires that growth substrate is made of fibers with good water absorption capacity, i.e., hydroscopic characteristics. This is not the case with ropes of synthetic fibers due to a water repellent surface.

[0008] The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art.

[0009] The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

[0010] The invention relates to a biodegradable textile substrate means for growing seaweeds, kelps or tunicates. The substrate means according to the invention comprises a woven band made of a semi-synthetic material. Using band-formed substrate means instead of ropes increase the cultivation area without significantly increasing the weight of the substrate means.

[0011] Viscose is regenerated cellulose made from pulp, mainly wood pulp. Viscose is biodegradable. Lyocell is regenerated cellulose made from dissolved pulp from hardwood logs. Lyocell is biodegradable.

[0012] When harvesting the seaweeds, kelps or tunicates, and separating the organisms from the substrate means, the substrate means contains portions of the organisms, such as the hapteron, and / or portions of the stipes. A biodegradable substrate means has the advantage that the substrate means can be handled together with the whole organism or together with remains from organisms in e.g., a composting process, a fermenting process, a pyrolytic process, a bio refinery process or a carbon capturing process.

[0013] The substrate means may be adapted for application of spores or spawn onto the surface of the substrate means or within a fiber structure of the substrate means.

[0014] The invention is defined by the independent patent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0015] In a first aspect the invention relates more particularly to a textile substrate means for growing seaweeds, kelps or tunicates. The textile substrate means comprises threads of a biodegradable material, and the biodegradable material is of pulp origin. The biodegradable material may be of wood pulp origin.

[0016] The textile substrate means comprises a band shaped substrate means. The textile substrate means comprises a woven substrate means where a warp yarn and a weft yarn comprise the biodegradable material. The woven substrate means is woven with either three, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine weft yarns per cm.

[0017] The number of weft yarns per cm is measured along the longitudinal direction of the warp. The thickness of the warp yarn or the warp thread and the number of weft yarn per cm determines the firmness or the density of the woven substrate means. Le., a relative thick yarn and a low number of yarn threads per cm may give a comparable firmness or density as a thin yarn and a relative large number of yarn threads per cm. The gist of the invention is to provide a woven substrate where the warp yarn and the weft yarn protect each other against degradation, or at least slow down the rate of degradation, by a firmly or dense woven substrate means.

[0018] The woven substrate means may be woven as a plain weave. The woven substrate means may be woven as a twill weave.

[0019] The band shaped substrate means may be a flat band. The band shaped substrate means may be folded along a longitudinal direction and sewn together along the edges in the longitudinal direction to form a stocking. The band shaped substrate means may be a tubular fabric formed as a stocking.

[0020] The biodegradable material as described herein may comprise Lyocell. The biodegradable material as described herein may comprise viscose.

[0021] The textile substrate means may consist of threads of a biodegradable material, and the biodegradable material may be of pulp origin. The biodegradable material may be of wood pulp origin. The biodegradable material may consist of Lyocell. The biodegradable material may consist of viscose. The warp yarn and the weft yarn of the woven band may consist of the biodegradable material. The warp yarn of the woven band may consist of the biodegradable material. The weft yarn of the woven band may consist of the biodegradable material.

[0022] The yarns may be made of staple fibers. The yarns may be made of filaments. The yarns may be made of microfibers.

[0023] The textile substrate means may be double weaved to form a tubular fabric.

[0024] In a second aspect the invention relates more particularly to a method for growing seaweeds, kelps, or tunicates on a textile substrate means. The method comprises to:

[0025] - provide the textile substrate means as described herein;

[0026] - provide spores of the seaweeds and kelps or eggs or larvae of tunicates and apply the spores or eggs or larvae onto the textile substrate means to inoculate the textile substrate means; and

[0027] - dive the inoculated textile substrate means in water.

[0028] The method may comprise to spray a spore or egg containing solution onto the textile substrate means. The method may comprise to immerse the textile substrate means in a spore containing solution.

[0029] The method may comprise to:

[0030] - harvest the textile substrate means comprising harvestable seaweeds, harvestable kelps or harvestable tunicates; and

[0031] - process together the textile substrate means and the attached seaweeds, kelps or tunicates.

[0032] The method may comprise to

[0033] - harvest the textile substrate means comprising harvestable seaweeds, harvestable kelps or harvestable tunicates;

[0034] - separate the harvestable seaweeds, harvestable kelps or harvestable tunicates from the textile substrate means; and

[0035] - process together the textile substrate means and attached remains from the harvestable seaweeds, harvestable kelps, or harvestable tunicates. Separation of the harvestable sessile organisms from the textile substrate means may be done by cutting. Cutting may be at the blades such that the holdfast / hapteron, the stipe and part of the blades remain together with the substrate means. Cutting may be at the stipe such that the holdfast / hapteron and part of the stipe remain together with the substrate means. Cutting may be close to the holdfast / hapteron such that the holdfast / hapteron and a small part of the stipe remain together with the substrate means.

[0036] The process may comprise one of a composting process, a fermenting process, a pyrolytic process, a bio refinery process, and a carbon capturing process.

[0037] In the following is described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying illustrations, wherein:

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a portion of a band shaped textile substrate means with two weft yarns in each weft;

[0039] Fig. 2 shows a portion of another band shaped textile substrate means; and

[0040] Fig. 3 shows a portion of another band shaped textile substrate means where the band shaped textile substrate means is a tubular fabric formed as a stocking.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a band shaped textile substrate means 1. The band shaped textile substrate means 1 is woven as a plain weave 15 with warps 2 and weft 3. The warps 2 comprises warp yarns 20 of Nml2.8. Each weft yarn 30 comprises yarns of Nml2.2. The warp yarn 20 comprises filaments. The weft yarn 30 comprises filaments. The warp yarn 20 consists of viscose. The weft yarn 30 consists of viscose.

[0042] Figure 2 shows another band shaped textile substrate means 1. The band shaped textile substrate means 1 is woven as a plain weave 15 with warps 2 and weft 3. The warps 2 comprises yarns 20 of Nml2.8. Each weft yarn 30 comprises yarns of Nml2.2. The warp yarn 20 comprises staple fibers. The weft yarn 30 comprises staple fibers. The warp yarn 20 consists of Lyocell. The weft yarn 30 consists of Lyocell. The band shaped textile substrate means 1 is weaved with four weft yarns per cm. Figure 3 shows another band shaped textile substrate means 1. The band shaped textile substrate means 1 is double weaved to form a tubular fabric shaped 4 as a stocking with warps 2 and weft 3. The warps 2 comprises yarns 20 of Nml2.8. Each weft yarn 30 comprises yarns of Nml2.2. The warp yarn 20 comprises staple fibers. The weft yarn 30 comprises staple fibers. The warp yarn 20 consists of Lyocell. The weft yarn 30 consists of Lyocell. The band shaped textile substrate means 1 is weaved with four weft yarns per cm.

[0043] Example 1 Water absorption capacity

[0044] Samples of threads of natural fibers and semi-synthetic fibers based on material of pulp origin were tested. The tested threads were made of one of jute, hemp, viscose, Lyocell, cotton, wool, flax, and sisal. Samples of each material weighing 25g were completely soaked in water baths for 5 hours. Thereafter the samples were removed from the water baths and excess water was drained off. The samples were in addition blotted gently with porous paper (kitchen roll) to remove excess water from the threads. Wet samples were weighed. Results are shown in Table 1.

[0045] Table 1

[0046] Fiber type Dry weight (g) Wet weight (g) Water absorption capacity (%)

[0047] Jute 25 83 232

[0048] Hemp 25 68 172

[0049] Viscose 25 95 280

[0050] Lyocell 25 104 316

[0051] Cotton 25 84 236

[0052] Wool 25 96 284

[0053] Flax 25 85 240

[0054] Sisal 25 62 148

[0055] Viscose and Lyocell sank immediately to the bottom of the water bath. The other samples floated somewhat with some material above the water surface. Wool was the sample with most material above the water surface.

[0056] Lyocell showed largest water absorption capacity followed by wool and viscose. Example 2 Water absorption speed

[0057] The same materials of threads as disclosed in Example 1 were tested. Samples of each material weighing 25g were completely soaked in a water bath for 60 seconds. Excess water was removed by draining and blotting as described in Example 1. After weighing, the samples were again completely soaked in the water bath for another 60 seconds.

[0058] Thereafter the samples were drained, blotted and weighed.

[0059] Table 2

[0060] Wet weight* Wet weight*

[0061] Dry weight 60 seconds 120 seconds

[0062] Fiber type (g) (g) (g)

[0063] Jute 25 55 72

[0064] Hemp 25 64 67

[0065] Viscose 25 86 92

[0066] Lyocell 25 98 102

[0067] Cotton 25 55 66

[0068] Wool 25 51 60

[0069] Flax 25 54 76

[0070] Sisal 25 54 62

[0071] *Fiber and water

[0072] All of the samples absorbed most of the water during the first 60 seconds. Hemp, viscose and Lyocell appeared to be almost satiated with water after 60 seconds, while jute, cotton, wool, flax, and sisal continued to absorb more water after 60 seconds. Comparison of Table 1 and Table 2 show that hemp, viscose, Lyocell and sisal only absorbed additional small quantities of water between 2 minutes and 5 hours.

[0073] Lyocell is the material that show largest water absorption capacity and largest water ab- sorption speed.

[0074] Example 3 Viscose water absorption

[0075] Four different growth substrates according to the invention were examined. The growth substrate was weaved band of yarn of viscose. The samples had the same number of warp yarn, and differed in number of weft yarn per cm. The warp yarn and weft yarn were the same with equal thread thickness. Sample A to sample D comprised 2, 3, 4, and 5 weft yarns per cm, respectively.

[0076] Each sample was cut to a weight of 50g. Each sample was soaked in a water bath, removed from the water bath after 60 seconds, drained for 15 seconds and weighed. Thereafter, each sample was again soaked in the water bath for 60 seconds, drained for 15 seconds and weighed a second time. Results are shown in Table 3.

[0077] Table 3

[0078] Water

[0079] Number of Sample Wet weight* Wet weight* absorption weft yarns dry weight 60 seconds 120 seconds 60 seconds

[0080] Sample per cm (g) (g) (g) (g / min)

[0081] A 2 50 177 174 127

[0082] B 3 50 160 161 110

[0083] C 4 50 135 133 85

[0084] D 5 50 128 128 78

[0085] *Fiber and water

[0086] Example 3 confirms the finding in Example 2 that viscose is almost satiated with water after 60 seconds as there were only small changes in water absorption between 60 seconds and 120 seconds. Water absorption is thus based on results from the first 60 seconds. Largest water absorption was achieved with Sample A (two weft yarns per cm). Water absorption was declining with an increasing number of weft yarns per cm. This means that the water absorption capacity of a weaved band can be controlled by the weaving density, i.e., density of weft yarn per cm.

[0087] Example 4 Test of mechanical properties, 9 months exposure

[0088] Four different growth substrates according to the invention were examined. The growth substrate was weaved band of yarn of viscose. The samples had the same number of warp yarn, and differed in number of weft yarn per cm.

[0089] Each band was 12 cm wide, and the number of warp yarn was 146. The warp yarn was of

[0090] Nml2.8. The weft yarn was thinner than the warp yarn. The weft yarn was of Nml2.2. Tensile strength of the weaved bands was measured on dry samples. Breaking load was measured to be about 1500 kg for all four bands. It was expected that the tensile strength would be about the same for all four bands as the number of warp yarn was the same. It is known from literature that tensile strength of viscose is reduced with about 40% to 50% when the material is wet.

[0091] Each band was fixed to a 16 mm floating rope such that the band was hanging in free arcs beneath the floating rope. The band was fixed to the floating rope at the end, and after 5m, 10m, 10m and 10m. The lengths of the arcs were 7.1m, 14.9m, 11.3m and 17.8m, respectively. Thereby the arcs reached a depth of about 2m, 4m, 2m, and 6m, respectively.

[0092] The bands were inspected after 2 months exposure to sea water. No signs of damage to or weakening of the bands were observed.

[0093] The bands were collected after 9 months of exposure to sea water.

[0094] Band A: Two weft yarns per cm

[0095] Parts of the band had dropped off. All arcs were broken. Small amount of biomass (blue mussel [Mytilus edulis] and tunicates [Ciona spp.]) remained on the band. No resistance in the band when it was teared by hand.

[0096] Band B: Three weft yarns per cm

[0097] No parts of the band had dropped off, but some of the arcs were broken. More biomass on the band compared to band A. Some resistance in the band when it was teared by hand. Easy to make a rip in the band.

[0098] Band C: Four weft yarns per cm

[0099] No parts of the band had dropped off. No arc was broken. More biomass on the band compared to band B. Quite some resistance in the band when it was teared by hand. Possible, but not easy to make a rip in the band.

[0100] Band D: Five weft yarns per cm

[0101] No parts of the band had dropped off. No arc was broken. Large amount of biomass on the band (up to 20 kg / m) compared to band B. No visible damages to the band and no signs of degradation. Severe resistance in the band when it was teared by hand. Hardly possible to make a rip in the band.

[0102] Example 5 Test of mechanical properties, 17 months of exposure

[0103] The same four different bands as described in Example 4 were examined.

[0104] Each band was fixed to a 16 mm floating rope such that the band was hanging in free arcs beneath the floating rope. The band was fixed to the floating rope at the end, and after 7m, 7m, and 7m. The lengths of the arcs were 13.6m, 9m, and 18.9m, respectively.

[0105] Thereby the arcs reached a depth of about 5m, 2m, and 8m, respectively.

[0106] The bands were inspected after 7 months exposure to sea water. No visible signs of damages to the bands were observed.

[0107] The bands were collected after 17 months of exposure to sea water.

[0108] Band A: Two weft yarns per cm

[0109] Most of the band had dropped off. Very small amount of biomass remaining on the remaining band. No structural strength in the band.

[0110] Band B: Three weft yarns per cm

[0111] Most of the band had dropped off. Very small amount of biomass remaining on the remaining band. No structural strength in the band.

[0112] Band C: Four weft yarn per cm

[0113] Most of the band, but not as much as band A and band B, had dropped off. Very small amount of biomass remaining on the remaining band. No structural strength in the band.

[0114] Band D: Five weft yarn per cm

[0115] Most of the band, but not as much as band A and band B, had dropped off. Very small amount of biomass remaining on the remaining band. No structural strength in the band.

[0116] Summary of Example 4 and Example 5

[0117] Example 4 shows that a band with four or five weft yarns per cm (band C and band D) decomposes slower in sea water compared to a band with two or three weft yarns per cm. A typical growth season for growing seaweeds, kelps or tunicates is about nine months of length. Thus, bands C and D are suitable for this purpose.

[0118] Example 5 shows that all tested bands decomposed in sea water more or less fully within 17 months. Thus, substrate means made according to the invention will decompose naturally and will decompose in a composting process, a fermenting process, a pyrolytic process, a bio refinery process and a carbon capturing process together with remains from seaweeds, kelps, or tunicates.

[0119] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0120] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

C l a i m s1. A textile substrate means (1) for growing seaweeds, kelps or tunicates, the textile substrate means (1) comprises threads of a biodegradable material, and the biodegradable material is of pulp origin, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the textile substrate means (1) comprises a band shaped substrate means (10); the band shaped substrate means (10) comprises a woven substrate means (11) where a warp yarn (20) and a weft yarn (30) comprise the biodegradable material; and the woven substrate means (11) is woven with either three, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine weft yarns (30) per cm.

2. The textile substrate means (1) according to claim 1, wherein the biodegradable material comprises Lyocell.

3. The textile substrate means (1) according to claim 1, wherein the biodegradable material comprises viscose.

4. The textile substrate means (1) according to claim 1, wherein the textile substrate means (1) consists of threads of the biodegradable material.

5. The textile substrate means (1) according to claim 4, wherein the biodegradable material consists of Lyocell.

6. The textile substrate means (1) according to claim 4, wherein the biodegradable material consists of viscose.

7. The textile substrate means (1) according to claim 4, wherein the warp yarn (20) and the weft yarn (30) consist of the biodegradable material.

8. The textile substrate means (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the warp yarn (20) and the weft yarn (30) comprises one of staple fibers, filaments and microfibers.

9. The textile substrate means (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the textile substrate means (1) is double weaved to form a tubular fabric (4).

10. A method for growing seaweeds, kelps, or tunicates on a textile substrate means (1), c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the method comprises to:- provide the textile substrate means (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9;- provide spores of the seaweeds and kelps or eggs or larvae of tunicates and apply the spores or eggs or larvae onto the textile substrate means (1) to inoculate the textile substrate means (1); and- dive the inoculated textile substrate means (1) in water.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the method comprises to spray a spore or egg containing solution onto the textile substrate means (1).

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises to immerse the textile substrate means (1) in a spore or egg containing solution.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the method comprises to:- harvest the textile substrate means (1) comprising harvestable seaweeds, harvestable kelps or harvestable tunicates; and- process together the textile substrate means (1) and the attached seaweeds, kelps, or tunicates.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the method comprises to- harvest the textile substrate means (1) comprising harvestable seaweeds, kelps, or harvestable tunicates;- separate the harvestable seaweeds, kelps, or harvestable tunicates from the textile substrate means (1); and- process together the textile substrate means (1) and attached remains from the harvestable seaweeds, harvestable kelps, or harvestable tunicates.

15. The method according to any one of claim 13 and 14, wherein the process comprises one of a composting process, a fermenting process, a pyrolytic process, a bio refinery process and a carbon capturing process.

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