Protein skimmer

Abstract

The invention relates to a protein skimmer (1 ), which enables organic compounds, such as proteins, fats, etc., and inorganic particles to be separated from the water. The present invention relates to a protein skimmer (1), which performs mechanical filtration, and which enables amino acid chains and protein particles resulting from metabolic activity and food input, as well as other undesirable organic and inorganic particles with size in the range of 1 -500 microns, to be removed from the water in the most effective manner.

Description

[0001] PROTEIN SKIMMER

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a protein skimmer, which enables organic compounds, such as proteins, fats, etc., and inorganic particles to be separated from the water.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to a protein skimmer, which performs mechanical filtration and which enables amino acid chains and protein particles resulting from metabolic activity and food input, as well as other undesirable organic and inorganic particles with size in the range of 1-500 microns, to be removed from the water in the most effective manner.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] The means of protein breakdown, which are used in aquaculture, in the live seafood tanks, and in most of the public aquariums worldwide, are an important component of any aquatic life support filtration system. Protein fractionation is effective for seawater, freshwater, and brackish water systems in partial- or full-flow applications. There are individual models with process flow rates in the range of 30 to 4000 liters per minute.

[0007] The water filtered by means of the conventional filters is continuously sifted from a trapped biowaste chamber. The media in such filters function as a biofilter and promote the bacteria. In this way, oxygen is removed, and decomposition is promoted. As a result, the discharge from such filters is generally enriched with bacteria and dissolved organic matter and thus leads to a decrease in the concentration of the oxygen-containing water.

[0008] The fractionation filtration process is simple and quite effective. The air (often also ozone) is injected via a resistant venturi injector into the bottom of a reaction chamber. The water to be filtered is introduced via the top of the chamber and is removed from the bottom. This arrangement creates a mass mixing effect with water moving the cross flow into the air, which effect is necessary for the effective formation of rich, thick foam. The foam rises along the column and becomes more concentrated as it passes into the riser pipe at the top. While the pipe allows the water to flow back into the tank through gravity, the concentrated foam is expelled from the top of the riser pipe and accumulates in a waste discharge basin. Although the conventional water filtration systems like sand filters and sponge filters remove the particles, they remain ineffective against the dissolved wastes, and besides, they serve as a growth site for pathogens, bacteria, and viruses.

[0009] Ozone injections improve the fractionation process in many aspects. Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent. Ozone is extremely effective for organic water shades, generating crystal-clear water with minimum odor. Ozone further breaks down the structures of the larger organic molecules, thereby facilitating their removal via the fractionation process of protein skimmer technology. Being a three- piece oxygen molecule, ozone significantly increases the oxygen concentration. Ozone is very safe and is essential for pathogen-free aquaculture applications, provided that its quantity is adjusted properly.

[0010] Owing to the combination of fractionation and ozone, the breeding tanks and the aquarium exhibits with heavy bioloads become remarkably cleaner and more sterile, and the clean systems, like the larval rearing or holding tanks, attain a crystal-clear state. The protein fractionation in combination with ozone is excellent for the systems with heavy mucus concentrations, like the closed or semiopen finned fish and shellfish holding systems. Among the other applications are cleaning systems, rearing systems, wastewater treatment systems, and influent treatment systems for use in the partial- and full-flow systems.

[0011] The proper infusion of ozone in an aquaculture system enables an increased appetite and growth and significantly improved animal health. The protein fractionation process eliminates and removes the pathogens while also increasing the water clarity and the oxygen concentration and thus results in higher stocking densities.

[0012] US2008006569A1 discloses a protein skimmer and a foam generation apparatus used to filter and clean the water in an aquarium and a guide tube for foam, effectively guiding the bubbles generated by the protein skimmer. According to the present invention, the inner and outer foam chambers of the protein skimmer are manufactured with the transparent polymers (PET-G) with very high fracture strength in order to facilitate inspection and control and to maximize durability. However, the invention in the above-mentioned patent document does not provide any information in this regard. Moreover, whereas the above-mentioned patent document provides information about the mouth structure being provided with a great number of air holes, the document lacks information about the ease in achieving the conversion from salt water to fresh water simply by replacing a nozzle, without any alteration in the system, owing to the multi-nozzle structure employed in the present invention. Consequently, the present invention involves differences from the above-mentioned patent document and models a protein skimmer, which is manufactured from a material of high strength, causes no problem of mucosal deposition, and is able to be readily converted from fresh water to salt water.

[0013] US6156209A discloses a protein skimmer designed for the removal of protein contaminants from protein-contaminated water. An injector is used for spraying the protein, and the spraying motion causes bubble generation in the water bubble chamber. The contaminants in the water attach themselves to the bubbles and rise to the surface of the water as foam. A hollow foam riser is attached to the top of the mixing chamber and provides an exit pathway for the contaminated foam. As foam is generated, it rises through the foam riser and carries with it the contaminants. A foam collection cup is attached to the top of the foam riser and collects the contaminated foam. Consequently, the water remaining in the mixing chamber is substantially more pure and exits the mixing chamber through a purified water exit aperture. The above-mentioned patent document lacks information about a multi-nozzle structure according to the present invention, which provides ease in achieving the conversion from salt water to fresh water. Judging from the figures in the above-mentioned patent document, it is further understood that the configuration mentioned in the patent document lacks the circulation system and the conical structure, which enables the foam to be guided, according to the present invention. Moreover, there is no information in the above- mentioned patent document regarding the transparent polymer PET-G with very high fracture strength, which is used within the scope of the present invention.

[0014] Owing to the ozone injected from an ozone port, which operates parallel to the air injection system available in the protein skimmer system according to the invention, the disinfection of the water is achieved, and the surface tension of the air bubbles is also increased, thereby enabling the bubbles to preserve their form for longer time and retain more contaminants. Especially in the protein skimmer embodiments used for the fresh water, the low surface tension of the fresh water, which is the limiting factor, is increased owing to the ozone injected from the ozone port, and in addition, as a result of the inner chamber being made as a multi-compartment structure and of the inner chamber diameters being selected according to the system capacity such that the formed foam may be ejected by surpassing the surface tension, the rather low performance of the protein skimmers according to the state of the art in terms of the removal rate of the undesirable materials is enhanced considerably.

[0015] Consequently, there is a need in the state of the art for a protein skimmer, the protein skimmer being able to readily enable the transition from the salt water to the fresh water simply by replacing a nozzle, without any alteration in the system, the protein skimmer having the inner and outer foam chambers manufactured from a material that facilitates inspection and control and that maximizes the durability owing to its very high fracture strength, and the protein skimmer having enhanced efficiency as a result of the facilitation of the foam removal.

[0016] Object and Brief Description of the Invention

[0017] An object of the invention is to provide a protein skimmer, which comprises an efficient circulation apparatus allowing a sufficient quantity of liquid-gas mixture, wherein the water coming from the circulation is able to mix with a high extent of interaction with the water to be filtered, and thus, it becomes possible to collect the contaminants in the water by means of the foams that are able to preserve their form for a longer time.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to provide the most effective way for the process of removal of organic compounds in the water filtration systems that are devised to restore the greatest quantity of water to the habitats. To that end, the invention provides advantages in terms of high energy efficiency, advantages in terms of water consumption, and advantages in terms of applicability regarding the use in the configuration phase.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to realize a structure, which is possible to be used in the aquariums, in the fish farms, and in all kinds of aquatic habitats harboring the living beings, and which provides an advantage in terms of enabling the removal of the organic matter deleterious to the organic life from both fresh water and salt water. Owing to an adaptable configuration, a system is developed, which is used within the same structure via a revision in the collecting nozzle structure in order to avoid the problems with the rise to the surface of the fresh water. This structure, in addition to providing an advantage in the system for use both in fresh water and salt water without any further modification, also maintains the electrical energy, which is required to solve the encountered problems, on the same level. As a result, a system is obtained, which offers advantages for the end user in terms of both operation and maintenance.

[0020] A protein skimmer, which enables amino acid chains and protein particles resulting from metabolic activity and food input, as well as other undesirable organic and inorganic particles with size in the range of 1-500 microns, to be removed in the most effective manner, the protein skimmer comprising at least one contaminated water inlet, via which the water to be filtered enters; at least one body, which receives via the contaminated water inlet the water to be filtered; and at least one clean water outlet, via which the filtered water exits, wherein protein skimmer, in order to provide a protein skimmer, wherein an effective circulation allowing a sufficient quantity of liquid-gas mixture is provided, the water coming from the circulation is able to mix with the water to be filtered with a high extent of interaction, and in this way, it becomes possible to collect the contaminants in the water by means of the foams that are able to preserve their form for longer time, comprises the components of

[0021] - at least one water distribution line, which includes, on the surface thereof facing the bottom of the body, multiple holes that permit the passage of the water to be filtered coming from the contaminated water inlet, extends horizontally inside the body, and is positioned in the top section of the body;

[0022] - at least one circulation inlet, via which the water present inside the body enters to be subjected to circulation and which is positioned in the bottom section of the body; at least one venturi, which has a constriction zone for narrowing down the water flow cross-sectional area, comprises at least one slit in the constriction zone, the slit forming at least one suction room that allows air / ozone to be injected and to be mixed into the passing water, and through which the water coming from the circulation inlet passes;

[0023] - at least one circulation outlet, which enables the water passing through the venturi to be transferred back into the body and is positioned inside an inner container such that it faces the bottom of the body; at least one inner container, which has a width smaller than the width of the body, is positioned in the bottom section of the body, bears at least one perforated plate that permits the passage of the water exiting through the circulation outlet, and enables the water exiting through the circulation outlet to be distributed homogeneously and to contact the water to be filtered coming from the water distribution line;

[0024] - at least one pump, which is positioned outside the body and provides a closed cycle for the water by enabling the water to be pumped from the circulation inlet to the circulation outlet; at least one inner chamber, being a riser chamber where the foams, to which the protein particles and the contaminants attach, rise inside the body;

[0025] - at least one outer chamber, which is disposed outside the inner chamber and allows the discharge of the contaminated foam collected in the inner chamber; and

[0026] - at least one transition structure, which guides the contaminated foams from the body towards the inner chamber and is configured with a conical structure.

[0027] Brief Description of the Figures

[0028] Figure 1 provides a front view of the protein skimmer according to the invention.

[0029] Figure 2 provides a rear view of the protein skimmer according to the invention.

[0030] Figure 3 provides a sectional view of the protein skimmer according to the invention. Figure 4 provides a top sectional view of the protein skimmer according to the invention.

[0031] Figure 5 provides a bottom sectional view of the protein skimmer according to the invention.

[0032] Figure 6 provides a bottom sectional view of the protein skimmer according to the invention.

[0033] Figure 7 provides a bottom sectional view of the protein skimmer according to the invention.

[0034] Figure 8 provides a perspective view where the bottom part of the body of the protein skimmer according to the invention is shown transparent.

[0035] Figure 9 provides a close-up sectional view of the venturi according to the invention.

[0036] Reference Numerals

[0037] 1. Protein skimmer

[0038] 10. Outer chamber

[0039] 20. Inner chamber

[0040] 21. Transition structure

[0041] 30. Body

[0042] 31. Body upper end

[0043] 40. Cover

[0044] 41. Gas outlet

[0045] 50. Contaminated water inlet

[0046] 51. Water distribution line

[0047] 60. Clean water outlet

[0048] 61. Water outlet lower end

[0049] 62. Water outlet pipe

[0050] 70. Ozone separation unit

[0051] 80. Venturi

[0052] 81. Slit

[0053] 90. Level indicator

[0054] 100. Fluid meter

[0055] 110. Suction port

[0056] 120. Waste line

[0057] 130. Lock

[0058] 140. Valve

[0059] 150. Inner container

[0060] 151. Perforated plate

[0061] 160. Pump

[0062] 161. Pump intake flange

[0063] 162. Circulation outlet

[0064] 163. Circulation inlet

[0065] 170. Flushing system

[0066] 171. Inner flush nozzle 172. Outer flush nozzle

[0067] 180. Grid plate

[0068] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0069] An object of the invention is to provide a protein skimmer, which comprises an efficient circulation apparatus allowing a sufficient quantity of liquid-gas mixture, wherein the water coming from the circulation is able to mix with a high extent of interaction with the water to be filtered, and thus, it becomes possible to collect the contaminants in the water by means of the foams that are able to preserve their form for a longer time. The present invention relates to a protein skimmer (1 ), which performs mechanical filtration, and which enables amino acid chains and protein particles, mainly resulting from metabolic activity and food input, as well as other undesirable organic and inorganic particles with size in the range of 1 -500 microns, to be removed from the water in the most effective manner.

[0070] Even though a homogeneous appearance is obtained after passing the water through various filtration units, the remaining protein particles cause the color of the water to become turbid. The turbidity may take the form of a decrease in the luminous transmittance of the water. With the protein skimmer (1 ) unit according to the invention, the protein particles and the organic or inorganic contaminants in the water are separated and as a result, it is made possible to purify and clarify the turbid water.

[0071] In the protein skimmer (1 ), i.e., the filtration system according to the invention, the protein-based contaminants in the water to be filtered are foamed by means of the micro-bubbles, wherein the dirt and the contaminants are trapped in the foam, are caused to rise inside an inner chamber (20), which is the foam riser chamber, are collected in the outer chamber (10), which is the foam collection chamber, and are then discharged to be thereby separated as waste.

[0072] The protein skimmer (1 ) according to the invention basically comprises at least one body (30); at least one body upper end (31 ), which is arranged as a continuation of the body (30) in the top section of the body (30) and has a conical structure; at least one outer chamber (10), which is connected with the body upper end (31 ) and allows the discharge of the collected contaminated foam; at least one inner chamber (20), which is located inside the outer chamber (10) and via which the foam rises through the body (30); at least one transition structure (21 ), which is configured in a conical structure as a continuation of the body upper end (31 ); and at least one cover (40), which is configured to cover the outer chamber (10) and permits the liquid and gas tightness. At least one gas outlet (41), which enables the exit of the air and the ozone gas, is present on the cover (40). In an embodiment of the invention, it is made possible to separate the ozone inside the outer chamber (10) and enable only the air to exit from the system, by adding an ozone separation unit (70) to the gas outlet (41). In this way, the ozone, which is a toxic substance, is prevented from leaking outside the system. Unlike the state of the art, the outer chamber (10) and the inner chamber (20) are manufactured from transparent polymers with very high fracture strength, especially from PET-G material, in order to facilitate the inspection and the control and maximize the durability.

[0073] The protein skimmer (1 ) comprises the components of at least one contaminated water inlet (50), which is positioned in the top section of the body (30) and via which the water to be filtered enters; at least one clean water outlet (60), which is positioned in the bottom section of the body (30) and via which the filtered water exits; at least one inner container (150), which has a width smaller than the width of the body (30), is positioned in the bottom section of the body (30), and bears at least one perforated plate (151) that permits the passage of the water; at least one circulation inlet (163), via which the water present inside the body (30) enters to be circulated and which is positioned in the bottom section of the body (30); at least one venturi (80), which has a constriction zone for restricting the water flow cross-sectional area, comprises at least one slit (81) in the constriction zone, the slit (81 ) forming at least one suction room that allows air / ozone to be injected and to be mixed into the passing water, and through which the water coming from the circulation inlet (163) passes; at least one circulation outlet (162), which enables the water passing through the venturi (80) to be transferred back into the body (30) and is positioned inside the inner container (150) such that it faces the floor / bottom of the body (30); at least one pump (160), which is positioned outside the body (30) and enables a closed cycle for the water by enabling the water to be pumped from the circulation inlet (163) to the circulation outlet (162); at least one grid plate (180), which surrounds the circulation outlet (162) and enables the solid particles likely to damage the pump (160) to be retained; at least one level indicator (90), which shows the water level inside the body (30); at least one fluid meter (100), preferably of the rotameter type, which indicates the level of the gas whose suction is regulated with the help of a ball valve; at least one suction port (110), via which the input of the ozone gas is enabled preferably with the help of a ball valve; and at least one waste line (120), which is connected with the outer chamber (10) and enables the discharge of the contaminated foamy water.

[0074] There is present at least one water distribution line (51), which is an extension of the contaminated water inlet (50) and which extends horizontally inside the body (30) in the top section thereof, preferably along the body (30). The water distribution line (51), owing to its special diffuser structure, includes, on the surface thereof facing the bottom of the body (30), multiple holes that permit the passage of the water to be filtered, wherein the water distribution line (51) preferably has a cylindrical form. By increasing the number of holes, the water to be filtered is enabled to flow down into the body (30) by being diffused from a wide surface. In an embodiment of the invention, the water distribution line (51) has a great number of holes along the cylinder, whereby the water to be filtered is enabled to be diffused into the body (30) from a wide surface. In another embodiment of the invention, there are two contaminated water inlets (50) on the body (30). According to the direction of inflow of the water to be filtered, one of the contaminated water inlets (50) is selected and the other contaminated water inlet (50) is blocked. It is also possible to use both contaminated water inlets (50) in the open state in the larger systems.

[0075] With the help of at least one pump (160) disposed in the bottom section of the body (30) of the protein skimmer (1) according to the invention, the water inside the protein skimmer (1 ) is sucked through the pump intake flange (161) and is introduced back to the system via the circulation inlet (163). In this way, a closed cycle is achieved inside the system.

[0076] In the protein skimmer (1) system, the water passing through the constriction zone via the specially configured venturi (80) is instantly accelerated and generates a negative pressure around itself. Owing to the negative pressure, a field of outside-inside attraction is formed in the constriction zone where the water accelerates. As can be seen in Figure 9, owing to at least one slit (81), which is disposed in the constriction zone of the venturi (80) and which forms a suction room, the air / ozone injected into the slit mixes, owing to the field of attraction, into the water passing through the constriction zone, and then, the water is enabled to expand again and flow into the system along with the gas bubbles inside it. By this means, air bubbles with sizes ranging between 50 and 200 microns are injected into the water and the protein and the inorganic particles in the water are enabled to attach and collect on the air bubbles owing to the polar charges. With the help of a check valve, which is a control valve, disposed near the venturi (80), the water is prevented from flowing backwards in case of clogging.

[0077] In order to be subjected to circulation, the water inside the body (30) is drawn by means of the pump (160) from the circulation outlet (162) disposed in the bottom section of the body (30) and is passed through the venturi (80) where it is mixed with air / ozone to form the air / ozone-water mixture. The air / ozone-water mixture is conveyed into the inner container (150) via the circulation inlet (163). The inner container (150) is preferably configured with a cylindrical form and bears at least one perforated plate (151 ), which is disposed higher than the position where the circulation outlet (162) and the clean water outlet (60) are located, i.e., higher than the alignment level thereof along the horizontal axis, wherein the perforated plate (151) permits the passage of the water. In this way, it is ensured that the water transferred into the inner container (150) does not mix with the water flowing out via the circulation outlet (162) and the clean water outlet (60). The inner container (150) enables the water, which enters along with the air bubbles via the circulation inlet (163), to rise, i.e., to flow up to the top section of the body (30), in a homogeneous manner and in a state diffused over a wide surface. The components of circulation outlet (162), pump (160), venturi (80), circulation inlet (163), and inner container (150) constitute a circulation apparatus whereby the water coming from the circulation, i.e., from the circulation inlet (163), is able to mix with a high degree of interaction with the water to be filtered.

[0078] The maximum extent of contact is achieved between the flows, with the most efficient contact dynamics being optimized according to the results of flow analysis for the air-water mixture that is injected from the bottom section of the protein skimmer (1) and the process water to be filtered that is introduced via the special diffuser structure from the top section of the protein skimmer (1).

[0079] The water to be filtered that is transferred via the water distribution line (51) into the body (30) of the protein skimmer (1) system according to the invention and the air-water mixture that is received from the bottom section of the system should be as turbulence-free and as smooth as possible. The reason is that the foam accumulation becomes disrupted when there is excessive agitation inside the system, and the contaminants and the foam, which are expected to leave the system via the top, may begin to reenter the system. Hence, agitation and turbulence are the phenomena undesirable for the system.

[0080] The ozone gas introduced to the protein skimmer (1), in addition to enabling the sterilization and the disinfection of the water to be filtered, also increases the capacity of the formed bubbles to capture the protein particles. Ozone gas also increases the value of ORP (oxidation or reduction power) of the water.

[0081] The air bubbles, which collect thereon the undesirable matter while the filtered water is exiting via the bottom section of the body (30), concentrate in the outer chamber (10), which is located in the top section and serves as the foam and waste collection chamber, via the positive percentage effect and the concentrated and accumulated waste is expelled such that there will be minimum loss of water from the inner chamber (20), under the action of the new air bubbles coming from the bottom section of the protein skimmer (1).

[0082] The level of water inside the protein skimmer (1 ) according to the invention is regulated by means of a valve (140). The valve (140) is positioned on the water outlet pipe (62). The quantity of water within the system increases when the valve (140) is closed, whereas the quantity of water within the system decreases when the valve (140) is opened, due to the increase in the quantity of water exiting via the clean water outlet (60).

[0083] The filtered water exits via the water outlet lower end (61 ) located in the bottom section of the body (30), rises through the water outlet pipe (62), which is a continuation of the water outlet lower end (61), and discharges via the clean water outlet (60). Since the clean water outlet (60) is configured at a level lower than the body upper end (31), the flow occurs automatically.

[0084] In the protein skimmer (1) system according to the invention, the cleaning of the outer chamber (10) and the inner chamber (20) is performed at certain intervals by means of the flushing system (170). The time intervals are determined according to the degree of contamination in the medium to be used and the outer chamber (10) and the inner chamber (20) are cleaned automatically or manually. The flushing system (170) includes at least one outer flush nozzle (172) and at least one inner flush nozzle (171). While the outer flush nozzle (172) flushes the part that remains between the outer chamber (10) and the inner chamber (20), the inner flush nozzle (171) flushes the interior of the inner chamber (20). In this way, the systematic removal of the dirt, foam or waste, which remain inside the outer chamber (10) and the inner chamber (20), is achieved. In addition, the flushing system (170) comprises a mains water connection to ensure that no water is lost from the system. Owing to the flushing system (170), the contaminants are prevented from being deposited on the bottom of the outer chamber (10) and from causing a clogging in the system.

[0085] The water that is to be filtered enters the protein skimmer (1) system according to the invention via the contaminated water inlet (50). The water that is to be filtered, entering via the contaminated water inlet (50), is transferred into the body (30) from the top section of the body (30), via the water distribution line (51). Meanwhile, the water inside the body (30) is drawn, in order to be subjected to circulation, by means of the pump (160) from the circulation outlet (162) in the bottom section of the body (30) and is passed through the venturi (80) where it is mixed with the air to thereby form an air-water mixture. The air-water mixture is transferred via the circulation inlet (163) into at least one inner container (150), where it begins to rise from a wide surface owing to the perforated plate (151 ). The water to be filtered that is coming from the top and the air-water mixture that is coming from the bottom begin to contact each other inside the body (30). It is ensured that this contact occurs as turbulence-free and as smooth as possible. After the contact, the undesired wastes like protein particles, dirt, and organic contaminants attach into the air bubbles and the air bubbles, which have low density, rise upwards. Thus, protein particles, dirt, and organic contaminants rise, pass through the transition structure (21) with a conical form, and move up inside the inner chamber (20). The foams rising from the inner chamber (20) empty into the outer chamber (10) and are discharged via the waste line (120) disposed below the outer chamber (10). The body upper end (31) and the transition structure (21), which are configured with a structure that conically narrows towards the top, guide the contaminated foams rising from the bottom section of the body (30) to the top section, and direct the same towards the inner chamber (20) that is narrower. While the filtration process is in progress, the water inside the protein skimmer (1 ) is sucked with the help of the pump (160) from the circulation outlet (162), is passed through the venturi (80), and is continuously introduced back to the system via the circulation inlet (163). In this way, a closed cycle is realized within the system. In an embodiment of the invention, the contaminated foam transferred from the waste line (120) is passed through the ozone separation unit (70), thereby separating also the ozone inside the contaminated foam.

[0086] One end of the waste line (120) is connected with the outer chamber (10) preferably via the bottom of the outer chamber (10) and the other end of the waste line (120) continues with a pipe extending downward from the outside of the body (30). There is present a lock (130), which is connected with the end of the waste line (120) that extends downward from the body (30). The lock (130) prevents the passage of gas through the waste line (120). By means of an ozone separation unit (70) added to the waste line (120), the ozone is separated from the contaminated foamy water being discharged. The gases, which contain the air and the ozone, are guided to the ozone separation unit (70) owing to the lock (130) present on the waste line (120). The ozone separation unit (70) contains activated carbon. By this means, the ozone, which is a toxic substance, is prevented from being released out of the system. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lock (130) is disposed above the ozone separation unit (70).

[0087] The ideal operating level of the protein skimmer (1 ) system according to the invention is one where the level of water is at about the central positions of the transition structure (21), which is configured with a conical form. However, in case the water to be filtered is contaminated only by a slight extent, the level should be raised slightly above the central positions of the conical structure. On the other hand, if the water to be filtered is heavily contaminated, the level should be dropped below the central positions of the conical structure in order to prevent excessive overflow outwards from the inner chamber (20).

[0088] In the protein skimmer (1) according to the invention, the protein particles and the organic contaminants, if present in water, are captured by means of the air bubbles. Since the air is introduced to the system in the form of bubbles, a gas exchange surface is formed and, in this way, the water is provided with motion. It is necessary to have a certain level of air quantity being introduced to the system. The process takes place in the most efficient manner, in case the air is introduced at a quantity that corresponds to 5-16%, preferably 7-12%, of the quantity of water that is introduced to the system. The process slows down when the air is introduced in an insufficient quantity, whereas the settling occurs in the water column when the air is introduced in an excessive quantity; hence the introduced air quantity is important. This ratio may vary also according to the salinity of the water. The choice of the pump (160) and the venturi (80) is made according to the quantity of the air required to be introduced to the system.

[0089] Another benefit provided by the protein skimmer (1 ) according to the invention is that, since the water to be filtered contacts the fresh air from the outside, the undesirable gases like CO and CO2 are removed from the water and the oxygen content of the water is increased. The system according to the invention facilitates the salt water-fresh water conversion owing to the structure formed by positioning multiple nozzles at the outlets, instead of using a single nozzle in the nozzle structure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A protein skimmer (1), which enables amino acid chains and protein particles resulting from metabolic activity and food input, as well as other undesirable organic and inorganic particles with size in the range of 1 -500 microns, to be removed in the most effective manner, the protein skimmer (1 ) comprising at least one contaminated water inlet (50), via which the water to be filtered enters; at least one body (30), which receives via the contaminated water inlet (50) the water to be filtered; and at least one clean water outlet (60), via which the filtered water exits, characterized in that the protein skimmer (1), in order to provide a protein skimmer (1), wherein an effective circulation allowing a sufficient quantity of liquid-gas mixture is provided, the water coming from the circulation is able to mix with the water to be filtered with a high extent of interaction, and in this way, it becomes possible to collect the contaminants in the water by means of the foams that are able to preserve their form for longer time, comprises the components of- at least one water distribution line (51), which includes, on the surface thereof facing the bottom of the body (30), multiple holes that permit the passage of the water to be filtered coming from the contaminated water inlet (50), extends horizontally inside the body (30), and is positioned in the top section of the body (30);- at least one circulation inlet (163), via which the water present inside the body (30) enters to be subjected to circulation and which is positioned in the bottom section of the body (30); at least one venturi (80), which has a constriction zone for narrowing down the water flow cross-sectional area, comprises at least one slit (81) in the constriction zone, the slit (81) forming at least one suction room that allows air / ozone to be injected and to be mixed into the passing water, and through which the water coming from the circulation inlet (163) passes;- at least one circulation outlet (162), which enables the water passing through the venturi (80) to be transferred back into the body (30) and is positioned inside an inner container (150) such that it faces the bottom of the body (30); at least one inner container (150), which has a width smaller than the width of the body (30), is positioned in the bottom section of the body (30), bears at least one perforated plate (151 ) that permits the passage of the water exiting through the circulation outlet (162), and enables the water exiting through the circulation outlet (162) to be distributed homogeneously and to contact the water to be filtered coming from the water distribution line (51);- at least one pump (160), which is positioned outside the body (30) and provides a closed cycle for the water by enabling the water to be pumped from the circulation inlet (163) to the circulation outlet (162); at least one inner chamber (20), being a riser chamber where the foams, to which the protein particles and the contaminants attach, rise inside the body (30);- at least one outer chamber (10), which is disposed outside the inner chamber (20) and allows the discharge of the contaminated foam collected in the inner chamber (20); and- at least one transition structure (21), which guides the contaminated foams from the body (30) towards the inner chamber (20) and is configured with a conical structure.

2. The protein skimmer (1) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the protein skimmer (1 ) comprises at least one waste line (120), one end of which is connected with the outer chamber (10), the other end of which extends downward from the body (30), and which enables the discharge of the contaminated foamy water.

3. The protein skimmer (1) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the protein skimmer (1 ) comprises at least one flushing system (170), which includes at least one inner flush nozzle (171 ) and at least one outer flush nozzle (172) and which performs the cleaning of the outer chamber (10) and the inner chamber (20) automatically or manually.

4. The protein skimmer (1) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the outer chamber (10) and the inner chamber (20) are manufactured from transparent polymeric material (PET-G) with very high fracture strength, in order to facilitate the inspection and the control and maximize the durability.

5. The protein skimmer (1) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the protein skimmer (1 ) comprises at least one level indicator (90) for indicating the water level inside the body (30).

6. The protein skimmer (1) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the protein skimmer (1 ) comprises at least one fluid meter (100), preferably of the rotameter type, which indicates the level of the gas whose suction is regulated with the help of a valve.

7. The protein skimmer (1) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the protein skimmer (1 ) comprises at least one suction port (110), via which the input of the ozone gas is enabled with the help of a valve.

8. The protein skimmer (1) according to Claim 2 characterized in that the protein skimmer (1 ) comprises at least one ozone separation unit (70), which enables the separation of the ozone from the contaminated foam transferred from the waste line (120).

9. The protein skimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the protein skimmer (1) comprises at least one lock (130), which is connected with the waste line (120) and enables the gas to be guided to the ozone separation unit (70) in order to prevent the ozone in the waste line (120) from being released outside.

10. The protein skimmer (1) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the perforated plate (151 ) on the inner container (150) is disposed higher than the position where the circulation outlet (162) and the clean water outlet (60) are located, i.e., higher than the alignment level thereof along the horizontal axis.

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