System and methods of gas infusion for manufacturing & application of fungicides for agriculture & aquaculture

Abstract

A system and methods for gas infusion tailored for manufacturing, prevention, and the application of fungicides in agriculture and aquaculture includes a microporous hollow fiber gas infusion module, engineered to efficiently dissolve gases such as oxygen or ozone into aqueous streams, thereby revolutionizing disease prevention and treatment strategies. Complementing the gas infusion module is a suite of manufacturing equipment and methodologies tailored for the production of oxygen-infused or other nutrient gas-infused products, catering to the diverse needs of agricultural and aquacultural industries. The system and method addresses the pervasive challenges posed by fungal pathogens in agriculture, such as Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Pythium spp., and in aquaculture, particularly Saprolegnia, by offering comprehensive solutions encompassing precise gas infusion techniques, innovative disease prevention strategies, and sustainable manufacturing processes to enhance crop yields, promote environmental sustainability, and ensure the long-term viability of agricultural and aquacultural sectors.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHODS OF GAS INFUSION FOR MANUFACTURING & APPLICATION OF FUNGICIDES FOR AGRICULTURE & AQUACULTUREINCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

[0001] Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 654,735 filed May 31, 2024.BACKGROUNDField

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to a the field of agricultural and aquacultural technology, specifically focusing on systems and methods for gas infusion to enhance disease prevention and treatment.Description of the Related Art

[0003] Aquaculture and agriculture systems can suffer from disease, which can negatively affect crop yields. For example, aquaculture and agriculture systems can suffer from fungal pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Pythium spp., and Saprolegnia.SUMMARY

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for between systems and method of disease management, such as controlling fungal pathogens in aquaculture and agriculture systems. The present disclosure pertains to a novel gas infusion system including a gas infusion module designed for precise dissolution of gases such as oxygen or ozone into aqueous streams, along with associated manufacturing equipment and methodologies tailored for producing oxygen- infused or other nutrient gas-infused products. The present disclosure addresses the pressing need for sustainable disease management in agriculture and aquaculture by offering innovativesolutions for controlling fungal pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Pythium spp., and Saprolegnia. Through the utilization of microporous hollow fiber membranes and controlled gas transfer techniques, the disclosure aims to revolutionize disease prevention and treatment strategies, thereby enhancing crop yields, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring the long-term viability of agricultural and aquacultural industries.

[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a novel gas infusion module engineered for precise dissolution of gases such as oxygen, ozone or carbon dioxide into aqueous streams is provided, revolutionizing disease prevention and treatment in agriculture and aquaculture. The gas infusion system, featuring microporous hollow fiber membrane modules crafted from materials like Teflon® or polyethylene, facilitates controlled gas transfer and infusion techniques. Additionally, the invention encompasses manufacturing equipment and methods tailored for producing oxygen-infused or other nutrient gas-infused products, addressing the pressing need for sustainable disease management in agricultural and aquacultural sectors. Furthermore, a conceptual framework is presented for utilizing oxygenation and microbial activity to preemptively thwart fungal infections in aquaculture environments.

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a bioreactor system for manufacturing fungicides for use in aquacultural and agricultural environments, including: a tank with a product inlet and a gas inlet at a proximal end of the tank and a drain at a distal end of the tank; one or more rings disposed in the tank, each ring having a plurality of gas infusion modules, each gas infusion module including microporous hollow fiber membranes in fluid communication with the gas inlet; and a mixing blade disposed within the tank, wherein the tank is configured to receive a liquid flows via the product inlet and configured to receive a gas via the gas inlet that flows through the gas infusion modules and infuses the liquid with the gas, the mixing blade configured to rotate to mix the liquid with the gas, the drain configured to allow the gas infused liquid to exit the tank therethrough.

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system for controlling fungal pathogens in aquacultural and agricultural environments, including: a tank having a plurality of gas infusion modules; a sand filter; an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization unit; a feed pump; a recirculation pump; a gas concentrator; and a controller, wherein the tank is configured to receive a liquid flow from the feed pump after it flows through the sand filterand configured to receive a gas from the gas concentrator to infuse the liquid with the gas via the gas infusion modules, at least a portion of the gas infused liquid exiting the tank and recirculated back to the tank by the recirculation pump, at least another portion of the gas infused liquid exiting the tank to pass through the UV sterilization unit.

[0008] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system for controlling fungal pathogens in aquacultural and agricultural environments, including: a plurality of gas infusion modules; a sand filter; an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization unit; a feed pump; a gas concentrator; and a controller, wherein the gas infusion modules are configured to receive a liquid flow from the feed pump after it flows through the sand filter and configured to receive a gas from the gas concentrator to infuse the liquid with the gas via the gas infusion modules, the gas infused liquid exiting the gas infusion modules to pass through the UV sterilization unit.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1A is a schematic side view of a bioreactor.

[0010] Figure IB is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bioreactor of FIG. 1A along line A-A.

[0011] Figure 1C is a schematic top plan view of the bioreactor of FIG. 1 A.

[0012] Figures 2A-2C are schematic views of a gas infusion fermentation tank system.

[0013] Figures 3A-3D are schematic perspective, right end, front and top plan views, respectively, of an integrated low-pressure (ILS) system for surface water treatment.

[0014] Figures 4A-4D are schematic perspective, right end, front and top plan views, respectively, of an integrated low-pressure (ILS) system for surface water treatment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] A novel gas infusion module engineered for precise dissolution of oxygen or ozone into aqueous streams is disclosed herein, revolutionizing disease prevention and treatment in agriculture and aquaculture. The module, featuring microporous hollow fiber membranes crafted from materials like Teflon® or polyethylene, facilitates controlled gas transfer and infusion techniques. Additionally, disclosed herein is manufacturing equipmentand methods tailored for producing oxygen-infused or other nutrient gas-infused products, addressing the need for sustainable disease management in agricultural and aquacultural sectors. Furthermore, a conceptual framework is presented for utilizing oxygenation and microbial activity to preemptively thwart fungal infections in aquaculture environments.

[0016] The disclosure herein presents a microporous hollow fiber gas infusion module, the cornerstone of which is the efficient dissolution of oxygen or ozone into aqueous streams, catering to the exigencies of disease control and management in agriculture and aquaculture. A combination of a multifaceted approach of the manufacturing and application of uniquely manufactured fungicides to prevent disease fungal outbreaks, the use of beneficial Micro-organisms supported by the invented Gas Infusion systems to supply dissolved oxygenated water to the beneficial Micro-organism to support their proliferation, and the use of oxygen infusion systems to treat any fungal outbreaks that may occur in the grow environment is disclosed herein.

[0017] Figures 1A-1C shows a bioreactor 10 with a tank 2, a product inlet 12, a nutrient gas inlet 14, an infusion ring with gas infusion modules 16, a mixing blade 18 and a drain 19. A liquid can flow into the tank 2 of the bioreactor 10 via the product inlet 12 and a gas (nutrient gas) can flow into the tank 2 via the nutrient gas inlet 14 and pass into the gas infusion modules 16, which can be arranged in one or more (e.g. multiple) rings 17 within the tank 2. The gas infusion modules 16 can include microporous hollow fiber membranes via which the gas is injected (e.g., in a bubbleless manner) into the liquid in the tank 2. Further details on such microporous fiber membranes can be found in PCT Application No. PCT / US2023 / 036512 filed 10 / 31 / 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and which should be considered a part of this specification. Distribution of the gas in the tank 2 is facilitated by arranging the modules 16 in a ring (see FIG. 1C), by providing multiple spaced apart rings of the modules 16 (see FIG. IB) and / or by providing a mixing blade 18 in the tank 2 that rotates to mix the liquid and gas within the tank. The gas infused liquid can exit the tank 2 via the drain 19 (see FIG. IB). Advantageously, the injected gas that is infused into the liquid displaces other gas in the liquid (e.g., CO2), and the offgas (e.g., the displaced gas) can be vented via a vent (not shown) of the tank 2. In one example, the tank can have a height H of approximately 4 meters. In one example, the tank 2 can have three rings 17 of (multiple) gas infusion modules 16. In one example (see FIG. 1C), each ring 17 cansupport four gas infusion modules 16 (e.g., equally spaced apart from each other on the ring 17, such as arranged at 90 degrees relative to each other about a central axis of the ring 17). The rings 17 can be vertically spaced from each other. With reference to FIG. IB, in one example, a bottom of the gas infusion modules 16 of a top ring can be spaced from the middle ring by a distance H3, and the bottom of the gas infusion modules 16 of a middle ring can be spaced from the bottom ring by a distance H2. The bottom of the gas infusion modules 16 of a bottom ring can be spaced from the bottom of the tank 2 by a distance Hl. In one example, the distance Hl, H2 and H3 have the same length. In one example, the distance Hl, H2, H3 can each be about 1 meter.

[0018] Figure 2A shows a fermentation tank 30 with one or more gas infusion modules 32 arranged in a ring 31 via which a gas can be delivered into a liquid in the tank 30, and a mixing blade 36 for mixing the liquid and the gas. In one example, the tank 30, module(s) 32 and mixing blade 36 can operate in a similar manner as the tank 2, module(s) 16 and mixing blade 18 described above.

[0019] Figure 3A-3D shows a system 100 with an integrated low-pressure (ILS) tank 1 for gas infusion of a liquid, a sand filter 2, an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization unit 3, a feed pump 4, a recirculation pump 5, a gas (e.g., oxygen) concentrator 6 and a controller 7 (e.g., pump control box). In one example, the tank 1 can have the same structure as the tank 10 in FIGS. 1A-1C. The tank 1 can have multiple (e.g., six) modules for gas infusion (e.g., using microporous hollow fiber membranes) via which gas is injected into liquid in the tank 1. The tank 1 can be a pressure vessel and operate at pressures greater than atmospheric. At least a portion of the liquid can be recirculated in the tank 1 via the recirculation pump 5 to increase gas infusion of the liquid and vent more displaced gas from the liquid. The recirculation pump 5 can recirculate at least portion of the liquid in the tank 1 for multiple passes (e.g., multiple passes past the modules in the tank 1). The feed pump 4 pumps liquid into the sand filter 2, which filters out any oxidized material (e.g. granular contaminants or anything that can be oxidized in tank 1 or UV sterilization unit 3) from the liquid before the filtered liquid passes to the tank 1 to be infused with gas. The liquid exits the tank 1 and passes through the UV sterilization unit 3 (e.g., light) that sterilizes the gas infused liquid before it exits the system 100.

[0020] Figures 4A-4D shows a system 200 with a sand filter 1, an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization unit 2, a feed pump 3, a gas (e.g., oxygen) concentrator 4, a controller 5 (e.g., pump control box) and one or more (e.g., multiple) gas infusion modules 7. The system in FIGS. 4A-4D is similar to the system in FIGS. 3A-3D except that a recirculation pump is excluded because liquid passes from the sand filter 1 to the gas infusion modules 7 (e.g., ten gas infusion modules arranged in parallel) and passes only once through the gas infusion modules 7 before it continues onto the UV sterilization unit 2 and then exits the system. The modules 7 can be microporous hollow fiber membrane modules (e g., with fibers made of Teflon®).

[0021] In response to these challenges, the disclosure presents three salient solutions:Fungicide Manufacturing (see e.g. systems in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2C):

[0022] The system and process for manufacturing fungicides using Gas Infusions System: A compendious elucidation of fungicides, their typology, and manufacturing protocols, incorporating the use of microporous hollow fiber membranes and nutrient gases such as O2, O3 or CO2 in manufacturing of organic and synthetic fungicides that leverages the precise dosing and infusion of the nutrient gas during specific periods of fermentation or chemical reactions processes during the production of fungicides for disease mitigation strategies across agricultural and aquacultural domains. Emphasis is laid on the imperative of efficacious disease control and the pivotal role played by fungicides in ameliorating fungal infections. A fungicide manufacturing system can include the following components (see e.g., FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C):• A feed pump into the Fermentation Tank (2, 30),• Fermentation Tank (2, 30), for example pressure rated for a minimum of 50 psi (lbf / in2), with internal microporous hollow fiber membranes (16, 32) for gas dissolution,• Internal mixing blades (18, 36) to circulate the fermentation liquids across the microporous fibers to guarantee there is constant contact with the fermentation liquids and the nutrient gas being dissolved and consumed inside the fermentation vessel,• A pressurized nutrient gas source,• A discharge pump,A source of Ozone for sterilization of the Gas Infusion Modules and Fermentation system between fermentation batches.In-Situ Fungal Pathogen Prevention (see e.g. systems in FIGS. 3A-3D and 4A-4D):

[0023] Biological control through the introduction and maintenance of beneficial Micro-organism support products that can be introduced into the environment that can help control fungal populations naturally The In-Situ products would be introduced alongside oxygen infusion into the water that is being used in the agriculture and aquaculture environments to sustain aquatic species or plant life. The fungal pathogen prevention system can include the following components:• Microporous hollow fiber Gas Infusion Module (1 in FIG. 3A-3D, 7 in FIGS. 4A-4D) with a Recirculation Pump (5 in FIGS. 3A-3D) Connected to an oxygen gas source,• Oxygen Generator (6 in FIGS. 3A-3D, 4 in FIGS. 4A-4D) ,• Gas Regulator,• Dissolved Oxygen Meter,• Fertigation or mixing tank (2 in FIGS. 3A-3D, 1 in FIGS. 4A-4D),• Dosing System,• Optional Programable Logic Controller,• Distribution Header for the feeding of Individual Aquaculture Tanks.Treatment Systems for the Outbreak of Fungal Pathogens in Aquaculture (See e.g. systems in FIGS. 3A-3D and 4A-4D):

[0024] The process and systems for the treatment of fungal pathogens within an aquaculture facility or grow farm must be accurately focused as to not to harm the aquatic life but to quickly suppress the pathogen outbreak. The treatment systems will utilize Microporous Teflon® Hollow Fiber Gas Infusion Modules that can intermittently infuse oxygen and ozone to appropriately suppress the pathogens in the aquatic environment. Further details on such gas infusion modules can be found in U.S. provisional applications 63 / 648291 filed 5 / 16 / 2024 and 63 / 651838 filed 5 / 24 / 2024, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and which should be considered a part of this specification.Post Fungal Outbreak Treatment (See e.g. systems in FIGS. 3A-3D and 4A-4D):

[0025] Oxygen Infusion systems would be utilized in the grow environment to facilitate faster wound healing (e.g., on infected fish) and discourages fungal growth and can include the following components:• Microporous Teflon® hollow fiber Gas Infusion Modules that can infuse ozone into the aquaculture aqueous stream,• A recirculation pump to pass the contaminated water across the Gas Infusion Fibers,• Oxygen generator,• Ozone Generator,• Gas Regulator.The disclosure extends beyond the conceptualization of a mere gas infusion module; it encompasses a comprehensive suite of manufacturing equipment and methodologies, bespoke for the production of oxygen-infused or other nutrient gas-infused products. This manufacturing process finds its nucleus in the Gas Fusion Module, replete with microporous hydrophobic hollow fiber membranes, constructed from materials such as Teflon® or polyethylene. These membranes are pivotal in orchestrating controlled gas transfer, thereby enabling the precise infusion of gases such as O2, O3 or CO2 into an array of product formulations or the agricultural or aquacultural growth environments, with the express intent of preventing or mitigating the pernicious influence of fungal pathogens.

[0026] The problem addressed by the disclosure herein is multifaceted, underscored by the challenges confronting farmers and aquaculturists alike, emanating from fungal pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Pythium spp., and Saprolegnia. These challenges, ranging from crop devastation and diminished yields to ecological ramifications and impediments to global trade, necessitate a concerted and innovative approach to disease management.Additional Embodiments

[0027] In examples of the present disclosure, a gas infusion system and method of operation may be in accordance with any of the following clauses:Clause 1. A bioreactor system for manufacturing fungicides for use in aquacultural and agricultural environments, comprising: a tank with a product inlet and a gas inlet at a proximalend of the tank and a drain at a distal end of the tank; one or more rings disposed in the tank, each ring having a plurality of gas infusion modules, each gas infusion module comprising microporous hollow fiber membranes in fluid communication with the gas inlet; and a mixing blade disposed within the tank, wherein the tank is configured to receive a liquid flows via the product inlet and configured to receive a gas via the gas inlet that flows through the gas infusion modules and infuses the liquid with the gas, the mixing blade configured to rotate to mix the liquid with the gas, the drain configured to allow the gas infused liquid to exit the tank therethrough.Clause 2. The system of clause 1, wherein the one or more rings are a plurality of rings vertically spaced apart from each other.Clause 3. The system of clause 2, wherein the plurality of rings are spaced apart from each other by an equal distance.Clause 4. The system of clause 2, wherein the plurality of rings are three rings.Clause 5. The system of clause 2, wherein the plurality of gas infusion modules are spaced part from each other about an axis of the ring.Clause 6. The system of clause 5, wherein the plurality of gas infusion modules are four gas infusion modules.Clause 7. The system of any preceding clause, wherein the gas is oxygen, ozone or carbon dioxide.Clause 8. The system of any preceding clause, wherein the tank has a pressure rating of at least 50 psi.Clause 9. A method for manufacturing fungicides for use in aquacultural and agricultural environments with the bioreactor of clauses 1-8, comprising: pumping a flow of liquid through the product inlet of the tank; flowing a gas from a gas source through the gas inlet of the tank into the gas infusion modules in the tank to deliver and infuse the gas to the liquid in the tank; mixing the liquid and the gas with the mixing blade; and flowing the gas infused liquid out of the tank.Clause 10. The method of clause 9, wherein flowing the gas includes flowing oxygen, ozone or carbon dioxide.Clause 11. The method of clause 9, wherein flowing the gas includes flowing pressurized gas.Clause 12. A system for controlling fungal pathogens in aquacultural and agricultural environments, comprising: a tank having a plurality of gas infusion modules; a sand fdter; an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization unit; a feed pump; a recirculation pump; a gas concentrator; and a controller, wherein the tank is configured to receive a liquid flow from the feed pump after it flows through the sand filter and configured to receive a gas from the gas concentrator to infuse the liquid with the gas via the gas infusion modules, at least a portion of the gas infused liquid exiting the tank and recirculated back to the tank by the recirculation pump, at least another portion of the gas infused liquid exiting the tank to pass through the UV sterilization unit.Clause 13. The system of clause 12, wherein the tank is pressurized and configured to operate at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure.Clause 14. The system of any of clauses 12-13, wherein the sand filter filters oxidized material from the liquid flow.Clause 15. The system of any of clauses 12-14, wherein the gas concentrator is an oxygen generator.Clause 16. The system of any of clauses 12-15, wherein the controller controls an operation of the feed pump and recirculation pump.Clause 17. A method for controlling fungal pathogens in aquacultural and agricultural environments with the system of clauses 12-16, comprising: pumping a flow of liquid into the tank; flowing a gas from the gas concentrator into the tank to deliver and infuse the gas to the liquid in the tank via the gas infusion modules in the tank; and flowing the gas infused liquid out of the tank.Clause 18. The method of clause 17, further comprising flowing the flow of liquid through the sand filter prior to flowing the flow of liquid into the tank.Clause 19. The method of any of clauses 17-18, further comprising recirculating a portion of the gas infused liquid that exits the tank back to the tank for additional gas infusion.Clause 20. The method of any of clauses 17-19, further comprising flowing a portion of the gas infused liquid that exits the tank through an ultraviolet sterilization unit.Clause 21. A system for controlling fungal pathogens in aquacultural and agricultural environments, comprising: a plurality of gas infusion modules; a sand filter; an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization unit; a feed pump; a gas concentrator; and a controller, wherein the gasinfusion modules are configured to receive a liquid flow from the feed pump after it flows through the sand filter and configured to receive a gas from the gas concentrator to infuse the liquid with the gas via the gas infusion modules, the gas infused liquid exiting the gas infusion modules to pass through the UV sterilization unit.Clause 22. The system of clause 21, wherein the plurality of gas infusion modules are arranged in parallel and receive the liquid from the sand filter in parallel.Clause 23. The system of clause 22, wherein the plurality of gas infusion modules are ten gas infusion modules arranged in parallel.Clause 24. The system of any of clauses 21-23, wherein the sand filter filters oxidized material from the liquid flow.Clause 25. The system of any of clauses 21-24, wherein the gas concentrator is an oxygen generator.Clause 26. The system of any of clauses 21-25, wherein the controller controls an operation of the feed pump.Clause 27. A method for controlling fungal pathogens in aquacultural and agricultural environments with the system of clauses 21-26, comprising: pumping a flow of liquid through the plurality of gas infusion modules; flowing a gas from the gas concentrator into the gas infusion modules to deliver and infuse the gas to the liquid flowing through the gas infusion modules; and flowing the gas infused liquid out of the gas infusion modules.Clause 28. The method of clause 27, further comprising flowing the flow of liquid through the sand filter prior to flowing the flow of liquid into the gas infusion modules.Clause 29. The method of any of clauses 27-28, further comprising flowing the gas infused liquid that exits the gas infusion modules through an ultraviolet sterilization unit.Clause 30. The method of any of clauses 27-29, wherein flowing the liquid through the plurality of gas infusion modules includes flowing the liquid through each of the gas infusion modules in parallel.

[0028] While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from thespirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

[0029] Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0030] Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0031] Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustratedand / or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0032] For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0033] Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and / or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and / or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0034] Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0035] Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”,“generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees.

[0036] The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.

[0037] Of course, the foregoing description is that of certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, to which various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the devices described herein need not feature all of the objects, advantages, features and aspects discussed above. Thus, for example, those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications and methods of use, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of these specific features and aspects of embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the discussed devices.

Claims

WHA T IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A bioreactor system for manufacturing fungicides for use in aquacultural and agricultural environments, comprising: a tank with a product inlet and a gas inlet at a proximal end of the tank and a drain at a distal end of the tank; one or more rings disposed in the tank, each ring having a plurality of gas infusion modules, each gas infusion module comprising microporous hollow fiber membranes in fluid communication with the gas inlet; and a mixing blade disposed within the tank, wherein the tank is configured to receive a liquid flows via the product inlet and configured to receive a gas via the gas inlet that flows through the gas infusion modules and infuses the liquid with the gas, the mixing blade configured to rotate to mix the liquid with the gas, the drain configured to allow the gas infused liquid to exit the tank therethrough.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more rings are a plurality of rings vertically spaced apart from each other.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of rings are spaced apart from each other by an equal distance.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of rings are three rings.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of gas infusion modules are spaced part from each other about an axis of the ring.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of gas infusion modules are four gas infusion modules.

7. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the gas is oxygen, ozone or carbon dioxide.

8. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the tank has a pressure rating of at least 50 psi.

9. A method for manufacturing fungicides for use in aquacultural and agricultural environments with the bioreactor of claims 1-8, comprising: pumping a flow of liquid through the product inlet of the tank;fl owing a gas from a gas source through the gas inlet of the tank into the gas infusion modules in the tank to deliver and infuse the gas to the liquid in the tank; mixing the liquid and the gas with the mixing blade; and flowing the gas infused liquid out of the tank.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein flowing the gas includes flowing oxygen, ozone or carbon dioxide.

11. The method of any of claims 9-10, wherein flowing the gas includes flowing pressurized gas.

12. A system for controlling fungal pathogens in aquacultural and agricultural environments, comprising: a tank having a plurality of gas infusion modules; a sand filter; an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization unit; a feed pump; a recirculation pump; a gas concentrator; and a controller, wherein the tank is configured to receive a liquid flow from the feed pump after it flows through the sand filter and configured to receive a gas from the gas concentrator to infuse the liquid with the gas via the gas infusion modules, at least a portion of the gas infused liquid exiting the tank and recirculated back to the tank by the recirculation pump, at least another portion of the gas infused liquid exiting the tank to pass through the UV sterilization unit.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the tank is pressurized and configured to operate at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure.

14. The system of any of claims 12-13, wherein the sand filter filters oxidized material from the liquid flow.

15. The system of any of claims 12-14, wherein the gas concentrator is an oxygen generator.

16. The system of any of claims 12-15, wherein the controller controls an operation of the feed pump and recirculation pump.

17. A method for controlling fungal pathogens in aquacultural and agricultural environments with the system of claims 12-16, comprising: pumping a flow of liquid into the tank; flowing a gas from the gas concentrator into the tank to deliver and infuse the gas to the liquid in the tank via the gas infusion modules in the tank; and flowing the gas infused liquid out of the tank.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising flowing the flow of liquid through the sand fdter prior to flowing the flow of liquid into the tank.

19. The method of any of claims 17-18, further comprising recirculating a portion of the gas infused liquid that exits the tank back to the tank for additional gas infusion.

20. The method of any of claims 17-19, further comprising flowing a portion of the gas infused liquid that exits the tank through an ultraviolet sterilization unit.

21. A system for controlling fungal pathogens in aquacultural and agricultural environments, comprising: a plurality of gas infusion modules; a sand fdter; an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization unit; a feed pump; a gas concentrator; and a controller, wherein the gas infusion modules are configured to receive a liquid flow from the feed pump after it flows through the sand filter and configured to receive a gas from the gas concentrator to infuse the liquid with the gas via the gas infusion modules, the gas infused liquid exiting the gas infusion modules to pass through the UV sterilization unit.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the plurality of gas infusion modules are arranged in parallel and receive the liquid from the sand filter in parallel.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of gas infusion modules are ten gas infusion modules arranged in parallel.

24. The system of any of claims 21-23, wherein the sand filter filters oxidized material from the liquid flow.

25. The system of any of claims 21-24, wherein the gas concentrator is an oxygen generator.

26. The system of any of claims 21-25, wherein the controller controls an operation of the feed pump.

27. A method for controlling fungal pathogens in aquacultural and agricultural environments with the system of claims 21-26, comprising: pumping a flow of liquid through the plurality of gas infusion modules; flowing a gas from the gas concentrator into the gas infusion modules to deliver and infuse the gas to the liquid flowing through the gas infusion modules; and flowing the gas infused liquid out of the gas infusion modules.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising flowing the flow of liquid through the sand filter prior to flowing the flow of liquid into the gas infusion modules.

29. The method of any of claims 27-28, further comprising flowing the gas infused liquid that exits the gas infusion modules through an ultraviolet sterilization unit.

30. The method of any of claims 27-29, wherein flowing the liquid through the plurality of gas infusion modules includes flowing the liquid through each of the gas infusion modules in parallel.

Images